Vanessa Roberson
Biology
Smith College ’16
What was your INROADS experience like?
“My first two INROADS summers were at the KP North Hollywood Regional Reference Laboratories under the Quality Assurance department. In my final summer, I was at the KP Walnut Center in Pasadena working with both the Human Resources department and the Director of Fitness.”
Would you say that INROADS is competitive?
“Admissions [into INROADS] was definitely competitive, and that’s why it’s so important to seize the opportunity that is INROADS. Not only does your paperwork have to be cleared by staff, but you also have to be accepted by your sponsoring company.”
INROADS requires that you have a minimum 3.0 gpa to be eligible for internships. Is this effective? Why or why not?
“With INROADS having a GPA requirement, I believe that the minimum 3.0 does come with great intentions. However, I think that admission should be open to those who would do great in the program but might have a low gpa. Students can have lower gpa’s for a variety of reasons; it might be that they had to put off homework to take care of siblings, support family with a job, etc. I believe if a student can come up with a compelling essay, a gpa slightly below 3.0 should be accepted.”
What adversity or obstacles do you feel students coming from underserved communities face?
“I feel that in an underserved community, it is very easy to get left behind. There are so many people with potential in my neighborhood, but their parents and peers did not encourage them as much as mine. This is why I make an effort to share the internships, programs, and scholarships that I have been exposed to. Sometimes, all people need is one chance. You never know if the scholarship or internship that you told someone about is the one opportunity they needed to escape a life of poverty or crime.”
Stephen Yen
Business Administration & Marketing
University of California, Riverside ’17
How did INROADS prepare you for the future?
“INROADS prepared me for my future by offering the mentorship and training needed to be successful at developing relationships. I have met some of really great friends through my past two summers interning with INROADS and that is my biggest takeaway.”
If you could thank your sponsoring company for something, what would it be?
“I want to thank them for giving me the professional and personal relationships that I have built over the past summer.”
What words of advice would you give to our graduating seniors?
“Job hunting is not going to be easy. It really starts with bringing your best and networking with every professional you meet. You never know who you will run into that will help you land your dream position.”
Monique Quarles
Communications/ Public Relations
Cal. State Polytechnic University, Pomona ’16
Why did you choose INROADS?
“I found out about INROADS through my cousin when I was a sophomore in college. My cousin had done several internships with INROADS over 15 years ago and she convinced me to go through INROADS to get an internships. She spoke highly of INROADS and told me that they had been very helpful in supporting her career development and that convinced me to join.”
Who or what is your biggest motivation to be successful? Why?
“My biggest motivation to be successful is the fear of being ordinary. I know that I am not meant to just blend in with everyone else. I want everything that I do to have meaning and purpose. My I don’t just want to exist, I want to live on my own terms and create the life that I want.”
What adversity or obstacles do you feel students coming from underserved communities face?
“For me, the biggest obstacle that I have faced is making my voice heard. Not only am I African-American, but I am a woman and I am young (millennial). I have been told on several occasions that because of these traits I will face resistance from people who don’t care what I have to say. I’ve worked hard for everything that I have personally and professionally and I deserve to have my voice heard like everyone else.”
Janet Robinson
B.S. in Business Administration
UC Berkeley ’96
M.S. in Counseling
California State University, Long Beach ’06
EdD in Educational Leadership
(expected Spring ’18)
California State University, Long Beach,
What was your INROADS experience like?
“I graduated from INROADS in 1996 and I could write a book about the valuable life-lessons I learned in INROADS. Being in the program for three summers, the biggest lessons I learned were about the beauty of sacrifice and the importance of mentors. While some of my friends spent their summers at the beach, I remember waking up every day of my first summer in INROADS, putting on business casual clothes, and driving in rush hour traffic on the 405 Freeway to and from my internship. My family only had one car so I left home early enough to drop my mom off at her job before driving the car to my internship. At the end of each day, my mother worked late and waited for me to pick her up before we headed home. And then there were the mandatory INROADS workshops that required me to wake up early and wear business casual clothes on Saturdays, too! It was hard to see the value of INROADS that first summer, but I soon realized the benefits of being in the program, especially the amazing people and mentors that I met.”
What did INROADS teach you?
“INROADS taught me the value of mentors in our lives. It began with my INROADS advisor. She helped me get the internship, but she also checked on me periodically throughout the school year which I appreciated. I had mentors at my sponsoring company, both formally and informally, who helped me learn the written and unwritten rules of corporate America. And then there were the “Frientors” that I met in INROADS; other interns who became my friends and mentors. We learned so much from each other as we navigated our way academically, professionally, and personally at our respective companies and campuses. What I thought were “sacrifices” to be in INROADS ended up opening doors and leading to opportunities and people that changed my life forever.”
What route did your life take after graduating from INROADS?
“After graduating from college, I spent a short amount of time working in public accounting before returning to INROADS where I worked as an INROADS advisor for almost 13 years! My time working for INROADS were some of the best years of my life! Offering encouragement, support and training to INROADS interns based on everything I had received in the program was a privilege and an honor. Working at INROADS also helped me realize my love for working with college students so I returned to school for my Masters Degree in Counseling and now I love my job as a community college counselor. “
What words of wisdom would you give to INROADers who are graduating?
“The best advice I could share with seniors graduating from INROADS would be this: You will continue to make sacrifices and tough choices for the rest of your life, especially about your career and where to work. Don’t be afraid. Remember that what seems scary and overwhelming at first could end up being the best thing for you to do! Also, never forget the friends, family, and community members around you that have also made sacrifices and have been there to help you along the way. Take the time to thank them for their support, tell them how they helped you, and then turn around and do it for somebody else.
And for the record, I STILL drive in rush hour traffic on the 405 Freeway to and from work every day! LOL.”
Steven Estrada
College Major
University ‘Year
What has been your experience since graduating from college and INROADS?
“For the past 11 years, I have worked in the Labor Relations Department, which has been a challenging but rewarding experience. Learning to navigate complicated issues, especially when not in agreement with our unions at times, has provided me a better understanding of working relationships and how to work collaboratively towards a resolution. I have been fortunate to recently receive a promotion as a HR Specialty Services Manager, and am excited about this opportunity to continue my career within Human Resources at KP.”
Was there anything valuable that you took from being in INROADS?
“I have fond memories of my years as an INROADS Intern, especially of all the friendships I’ve gained through the various developmental seminars and workshops. I also value all of the business supervisors and mentors who gave up their time and energy to offer me great advice and insight to what it takes to succeed over the years. Probably the most memorable was when I was selected to give a speech at the INROADS banquet, in front of hundreds of people. Not many individuals get an opportunity like that.”
“I think my supervisor at the time I was a graduating senior taught me the most. Judi Hansen was instrumental in my growth, and really pushed me to see what I could offer the organization. She also became a key champion to grow the KP INROADS program into what it is today and I am proud to have been a part of that journey.”
What do you feel is INROADS’s most valuable asset?
“I think the INROADS program’s most valuable asset are the people that work so hard to run the program, and have dedicated so much to help young and talented individuals find their career paths. I hope I can contribute in turn as an INROADS Alumnus, and appreciate the efforts to keep alumni involved.”
What suggestions would you give to someone on the fence about joining INROADS?
“If someone is interested in becoming an INROADS intern, I would suggest he or she take some time to clearly understand what type of experience they are looking for. Not all opportunities may be the exact type of internship or workplace they may dream of, but there are good people that are interested in helping young, bright and talented college students grow into the workforce of tomorrow. Also, to always be a salesperson. What I mean is to always present yourself as the best professional you are, as you should always be selling yourselves as future viable job candidates. Everyone likes a salesperson who is willing to go the extra mile in a courteous and generous way, so think of those types of experiences when interacting with others in your workplace.
I think anyone interested in getting into corporate America, or just to be ready for entering the workplace out of college, should seriously consider being an intern, and especially as an INROADS intern. The experience and exposure to the working world will help tremendously in helping you decide what you may, or may not, want to do with your career. Also, when things seem really tough, or you are discouraged about where you are in your job or career, think of your contacts and resources who may help you and talk to them. They may convince you to stick it out, or help you make those tough decisions that could possibly push you to take on bigger and better things.”