USC student enjoys HACU internship in Washington D.C.
Pueblo, Colo. -- Except for occasional bouts of homesickness, University
of Southern Colorado sophomore Raul Gabriel "Gabe" Barajas, says he
loves living and working in Washington D.C.
The 19-year-old mass communications major from Pueblo is serving an internship
this semester with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
"I'm assigned to the National Institutes of Health," said Barajas,
"at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, in the Office of Special
Concerns."
His assignments include providing technical support and assistance in the areas
of equal employment opportunity, diversity, recruitment, outreach, and training.
"I like helping others whenever I can, so my goal is to help those who need
it the most, including minorities and those with disabilities."
After graduation from USC, Barajas said he hopes to work in the nonprofit or
government sector of public relations.
Currently, he lives 10 miles outside of Washington D.C. with three roommates,
fellow interns from California, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
"On my days off I usually go sightseeing with my new friends. I've been on
a boat tour of the Potomac River, and have seen the White House, Smithsonian,
Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and many
other places."
"It truly is the opportunity of a lifetime," he said. I couldn't have
asked for more."
Barajas graduated from Pueblo County High School last year with 27 college
credits from the university's senior-to-sophomore and postsecondary options
programs.
At USC, Barajas worked in the USC Office of Alumni and Development and he
credits his supervisors, former Alumni Director Andrea Aragon and Interim
Director Tracy Samora, for giving him a positive outlook and the drive to
succeed in life.
"Now look where it's gotten me," said Barajas. "I never imagined
that I would be doing an internship in Washington D.C. at the age of 19."
I do get homesick," he said, "but I get over it with the help from the
other interns, my new friends."
The University of Southern Colorado is a regional, comprehensive university
emphasizing professional, career-oriented and applied programs. Displaying
excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and
outreach, USC is distinguished by access, opportunity and the overall quality of
services provided to its students.
