Aryel Rodriguez, an Elevate+ Success Story

Elevate to Even+ • January 15, 2025

A young man wearing glasses and a tan shirt is smiling for the camera.

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/

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Reflecting on a Summer of Growth, Confidence, and Contribution

By Andrew Walker • September 15, 2026

Every Elevate+ internship begins with an opportunity. By the end of the summer, that opportunity has often become something much more: greater confidence, practical skills, meaningful professional relationships, and work that makes a lasting difference. Feedback from our 2026 interns and host mentors confirms just how much was accomplished this summer. Thirty-four students completed our end-of-internship survey, while host organizations submitted 26 evaluations of their interns. Their responses tell a shared story of students rising to new challenges and nonprofit partners gaining talented, committed members of their teams. Students left more prepared for what comes next 94% rated their overall internship experience as excellent or good. 94% said the internship contributed substantially to their professional growth. 94% felt more confident entering the workforce. 91% felt more prepared for future internships or full-time employment. 94% expanded their professional networks. 97% felt welcomed and included at their internship sites. 97% rated their likelihood of recommending Elevate+ to another student an 8 or higher on a 10-point scale. Behind those numbers are students who discovered new strengths, clarified their career goals, and learned how to contribute in professional settings. “I don’t think that I would be half the adult I am today without the help of Elevate+ and Lyman Allyn,” Meggan shared after completing her third summer at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. “I’ve become so much more confident and a way better communicator than I used to be.” Kamryn described the pride she felt in producing work with lasting value: “Developing three major deliverables that will continue to benefit the organization is something I’m incredibly proud of, and it showed me the impact thoughtful work can have.” For Danny, the experience helped bring his future into clearer focus. “I can’t even describe how much this has helped me in figuring out and solidifying what I want to do in the future,” he wrote. Other interns spoke about becoming more comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, taking initiative, setting boundaries, and trying unfamiliar things. Ritha reflected on one of the summer’s most important lessons: “Now, thanks to my internship, I know how to take initiative, work independently, learn, and be a leader, even when I make mistakes.”

Why Elevate+ Matters to Me

By Dr. Marilú Marcillo • August 17, 2026

By Elevate+ Board Member Marilú Marcillo

Building More Than Internships

By Carolyn Parelli • August 11, 2026

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A Summer of Showing Up

By Aguie Barrantes • August 5, 2026

An Intern's Perspective on Professional and Personal Growth

Showing Up Is Only the First Step

By Aguie Barrantes • July 8, 2026

Walking into a networking event alone is not exactly comfortable. I didn't know anyone, and I wasn't sure I belonged there. But somewhere between the first conversation and the second, that feeling changed. This summer, as the Marketing & Communications Intern at Elevate+ , I've learned that internships are about much more than completing projects. Managing and developing the Intern Spotlight posts, creating social media content, and building a content calendar and other marketing materials, including this blog post, have strengthened my organization, creativity, and communication skills. My biggest takeaway has been that building a personal brand starts before anyone is watching . Outside of Elevate+, one of my professors from Seton Hall introduced me to the opportunity to attend a two-day networking event at Next League. While I was nervous at first, I reminded myself that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone . Connecting with students and professionals across the sports industry showed there isn't one path to success. Alongside Elevate+, I’ve also balanced two other part-time jobs with FC Motown and Momento. Whether it’s working long hours in the summer heat or adjusting to unexpected changes during a live event, I’ve learned that success comes from being adaptable and thinking on the fly. These experiences have shown me that the most valuable growth happens when you’re willing to step up and show up , regardless of the circumstances. Looking back on the first half of the summer, I’ve realized that my biggest growth hasn't come from checking projects off a list. It's come from putting myself in unfamiliar situations, asking questions, and embracing opportunities that once felt intimidating . As I head into the second half of the summer, my goal is to be more intentional about following up with the professionals I meet. I've had the opportunity to connect with many people, but I want those conversations to turn into meaningful, lasting relationships. Showing up is only the first step; following up is what makes a connection memorable .