Research shows that 3 in 4 youth are concerned about having the necessary skills to secure a job (i). Additionally, more than half of employers say candidates lack essential skills, like creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability and time management (ii). The Nonprofit Leadership Center is not only a place where nonprofit leaders and board members come to develop their skills and organizations; it’s also a lifelong learning lab for local youth.
As a member of Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School’s Corporate Work Study Program, NLC welcomes high school students — often from households with limited economic means — to gain real-world work experience that prepares them for a bright future.
For the past three years, we’ve had the privilege of having Taghiyana “Taghi” Wells as a student intern at NLC. In her role, she has assisted with preparing for training classes, processing event evaluations, greeting office guests, attending weekly staff meetings and participating in professional development classes. As she prepares to graduate from high school in June, we are grateful to Taghi for her many contributions and are so proud of the bright future that’s ahead of her.
When Taghi is not in class or at work, she has a passion for art and enjoys working with kids to help them express themselves through art.
Taghi recently shared a little more about her experience at NLC and what she’ll be doing next.
What is one thing you’ve learned at NLC that you’ll carry with you?
NLC Trainer Dr. John Loblack once encouraged me to ask myself two questions every day:
1) What did I accomplish today that was better than yesterday?
2) What will I need to do to be better tomorrow?
Those questions have stuck with me.
What accomplishment are you most proud of from the past three years?
I have taken three dual enrollment courses in art as a high school student while juggling my studies and working at the Nonprofit Leadership Center. I’m proud of how I’ve grown.
What will you miss most about working at NLC?
The opportunity to work at the Nonprofit Leadership Center for three years is something I will cherish for life. I had never heard of a place that taught adults and organizations before working at NLC. To me, the classes and trainings NLC offers are beyond beneficial, even being as young as I was taking some of the classes.
I will miss the people who work at NLC most. I started missing them more than a year ago when we could not physically go to the office during the pandemic. I’ll miss seeing their smiling faces and waving at everyone who walked by.
What’s next for you?
This week, I started working at Metropolitan Ministries’ summer camp. I’ll be working with kids, and at the end of camp, I will receive a scholarship to attend St. Petersburg College. This summer, I also plan to create and sell more of my art.
Find Your Next Opportunity
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(i) Measure of America
(ii) Connecticut Business & Industry Association