Utah Students Selected For Bank Of America Student Leaders Internship Program

SALT LAKE CITY — Four Utah high school students spent part of their summer picking up some real-life work experience as part of a paid internship with Bank of America.

Salt Lake City School District students Diya Rao, Isabelle White, Nathan Flores and Yosuf Haidari were selected as four of the 300 students from across the country that participated in the financial institution’s Student Leaders Program. It’s a paid, eight-week internship with a local nonprofit.

KSL’s Tamara Vaifanua spoke to Isabelle White, a senior from Highland High School who interned at The Fourth Street Clinic, learning the ins and outs of serving people experiencing homelessness.

Because of COVID-19, White worked remotely in their marketing and development department.

She said the experience helped her realize the impact she can have on her community through service.

“It’s really been an amazing opportunity. I was so lucky to be selected. Most people don’t have this kind of job experience until they’re in college and get internships,” she said. “It’s a great step up.”

James Jarrard, communications director for The Fourth Street Clinic, said it’s vital to develop future leaders now.

“It’s incredibly important to offer paid internships at nonprofits because nonprofits need to be competitive,” Jarrard said.

Other Utah students interned at the STEM Action Center.

Bank of America said the pandemic has upended the global market, so it’s important that these students develop skills that will help them secure high-paying jobs in the future.

Interns capped off their experience with a summit week where they can virtually meet other participants throughout the country — a great way to learn how to network as well.