Saldana Selected for Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program
A civil engineering major at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock was one of nine students chosen to participate in a competitive summer internship program for Arkansas women of color who are pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
Ahtziri Saldana, a senior from Little Rock, was selected for the fourth cohort of the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program. The internship program is hosted by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas in partnership with companies like Stone Bank, Acxiom, Arvest Bank, Central Arkansas Water, Dassault Falcon Jet, Southwest Power Pool, Windstream, and others.
“Being chosen for the Tjuana Byrd Summer Internship Program was very unexpected,” Saldana said. “I was very excited, and I never thought I would be selected. I was so happy to be selected for a program that helps women of color in STEM get great internships.”
Named for the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas’s first Black president, the Honorable Tjuana Byrd Manning, the 12-week summer internship is designed to increase access to and representation in these fields for women of color by eliminating barriers such as cost, social capital, and geographic location.
“We are able to facilitate this high-quality internship each year because of the support and expertise of our participating companies,” said Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. “By investing in this program and providing mentorship and on-the-job training, these companies are empowering young women of color to gain valuable opportunities to learn and prepare for bright, promising futures. We are extremely grateful for our corporate partners and their investment in Arkansas girls and women.”
Saldana interned at Central Arkansas Water from May 28 to Aug. 16.
“This internship has been such a great opportunity, and it will help me grow professionally,” Saldana said. “I have been able to learn about the real world of engineering. Being chosen to be at Central Arkansas Water has given me a valuable experience which I can definitely put to use in the future.”
Each intern earns $15-$20 an hour (depending on company placement), is provided with free housing for the duration of the program, and has access to mentorship and networking events and professional development workshops. Interns also have the opportunity to present to each company at the culmination of the internship.
“I am so glad I was chosen to be a part of this internship program,” Saldana said. “It doesn’t just help you get an internship. It also helps you with networking and professional development events. I am a first-generation student, and I did not have a person in my family who went to college before me to rely on for advice. I’ve been able to learn a lot of things through this internship program that have helped me with my career.”
