Before joining Elevate+, Aryel Rodriguez had limited work experience outside of part-time retail jobs. He was eager to step into a more professional environment to develop new skills and gain valuable insight into potential career paths.
Aryel decided to apply for the Elevate+ internship program after hearing about it from a mentor. "I was inspired to apply for the internship by a mentor who spoke highly of the professional growth and networking opportunities it provided," Aryel shared. The opportunity to grow alongside like-minded individuals and receive mentorship was a key motivator.
During his internship, Aryel worked as a communications intern at SAGE Eldercare, where he contributed to managing social media accounts, created video for promotional use, and organizing website content. His day-to-day responsibilities involved researching and developing cohesive messaging and engaging with the community.
The training sessions, speaker series, and networking events offered by Elevate+ played a significant role in Aryel’s growth. One of his major takeaways was learning how to present ideas confidently and communicate effectively with supervisors and team members. "The professional development sessions taught me how to communicate my ideas clearly and gave me the confidence to speak up during meetings," Aryel said. This confidence boost became crucial as he took on more leadership roles during his internship.
While Aryel ultimately decided to pursue a slightly different career path, the skills he gained through Elevate+ have been invaluable. The experience shaped his ability to navigate professional environments and prepared him for future roles in the nonprofit sector.
A highlight of Aryel’s internship was leading a video campaign to raise awareness for the resources SAGE Eldercare provides. The project not only taught him technical skills in digital marketing but also underscored the importance of empathy and understanding the needs of underserved communities.
Through Elevate+, Aryel overcame the initial challenge of adapting to a professional office setting. The program’s mentorship and structured development sessions helped him build the confidence needed to contribute meaningfully to team projects. He also credits his SAGE mentor, Fidel Garcia for encouraging his on-the-job development. "Fidel made a lasting impression on me through the time and effort he put in to help me grow as a professional," he said.
Looking back, Aryel thanks Elevate+ with preparing him for the professional world, providing experiences that opened doors to new opportunities. He emphasizes that the program’s emphasis on mentorship and transferrable skill-building gave him a competitive edge in the job market.
He encourages future interns to take full advantage of all professional development opportunities and seek mentorship throughout their internship. "I would say to take all the professional advice you can get and use it as much as possible. It can really shape your career path," Aryel advised.
He wholeheartedly recommends Elevate+ to others, highlighting its role in shaping his professional journey. "Elevate+ helped me in countless ways and prepared me for opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise," Aryel emphasized.
Elevate+ helped Aryel Rodriguez get his foot in the door of professional environments, equipping him with the skills and confidence necessary to succeed. Today, Aryel continues to apply the lessons he learned during his internship in his ongoing career pursuits.
Internship: Communications Intern at SAGE Eldercare, Summer 2022
Currently: Software Engineer at Mastercard
You can connect with Aryel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryelro/
