From district office interns to young professionals, minority students enter public service and the business world thanks to Chicago State University’s Public Policy Scholars Program collaboration with State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

“Coming from Robert Taylor Holmes, I understand that we have very intelligent people, eager to learn, who need a chance,” Hunter said. “Someone gave me a chance. Now I’m doing the same for the next generation.”

In 2010, Sen. Hunter created invaluable opportunities for minority students by establishing semester-long internships for CSU students.

Two notable interns, Tiffany Smith, a second-year graduate working toward her Masters in English and Secondary Education, and Jason J. Simmons, a CSU accounting major graduating next week, had the opportunity to make a difference in their community.

“I really got a chance to experience the customer-service aspect of serving the community,” Simmons said. “Some of the major highlights of the internship were serving constituents, sitting in on meetings, planning community events and learning how to navigate and utilize the state’s resources.”

After Simmons’ internship, he accepted full-time employment in Richmond, Virginia where he will work as a financial analyst in a three-year rotational program. He will attend Virginia Common-Wealth University (VCU) to obtain a master’s degree in accounting.

“Interning in my district office isn’t just answering phones,” Hunter said. “I want students to create and supervise projects. That’s why our interns oversee senior luncheons, health fairs and recently, the Chicago youth employment hearing.”

“The internship exposed me to a different life that I wasn’t aware of,” Smith said. “It opened doors that I didn’t think were possible. It’s helped me early on, and things are happening so fast.”

Tiffany Smith, the rising star in Sen. Hunter’s district office, was able to meet other elected officials including Governor Pat Quinn. Smith’s internship, originally meant to be one-semester, was extended until her graduation.

“Sen. Hunter helped me write a couple of her speeches before. I’m a little quieter, but it’s helping me deal with different people, helping constituents, and learning to be more assertive when I’m communicating,” Smith said.

“Poverty is not a bar to intelligence and ability,” said Janis McReynolds, Sen. Hunter’s district office manager and intern coordinator. “Sen. Hunter is very in tune with the needs of young minorities in our district. Because of her upbringing, living in public housing with eight brothers and sisters, she really understands the extreme potential that is there in these students.”

Sen. Hunter spent her childhood in Robert Taylor Holmes on Chicago’s Southside. Because of her involvement in summer jobs and public service, she was able to transition into her current leadership position with a stronger commitment to helping minority students from similar backgrounds.

Former interns have received scholarships to attend DePaul University and Vanderbilt. Sen. Hunter is looking to continue accepting interns in future semesters.