Editors note: I am so excited to be writing THIS Unconditionally Her article! This year, Women Survivors Alliance interviewed two young ladies from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee who are students in the Community and Public Health program. We liked them both so much, we accepted both as WSA spring 2017 interns. I would like to introduce our Unconditionally Her readers to both of these young women who are nothing short of amazing. I think you will be as impressed as we are! I interviewed the fabulous Christina Byrd and Tiara Boston. Here is what they shared with me.
Unconditionally Her: Christina, please tell our Unconditionally Her readers a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, what are your hobbies, interests, and passions, and about your career aspirations?
Christina: Well, I am a senior in the Community and Public Health program at Middle Tennessee State University. I chose this major because I have always had a desire for helping others as well as a strong interest in the health field. I am from Nashville, Tennessee! My hobbies are beauty blogging, photography and dancing. I love to do anything active and outdoors! I am hoping to launch my beauty/DIY vlog by the end of February! My career aspirations are to work in the public health field, epidemiology particularly. Working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would definitely be an honor.
Unconditionally Her: What interested you about becoming involved with WSA as an intern?
Christina: I was automatically interested in this internship 2 years ago when you {Mrs. Cindy Chafin} came and spoke to my Foundations of Health Education class. She explained her experiences in the health field and what she has the privilege of doing day in and day out. I was in love! Being able to help my local community as well as on a national community level is exactly what I have the desire to do. This desire became prevalent when my grandfather lost his battle to liver cancer January 4th, 2015. I knew it would be an honor to work closely with people whose lives have been affected by cancer. I hold this very dear to my heart so when it was my turn to apply for an internship, this was my very first pick!
Unconditionally Her: Can you share with our readers a little about what you have been working on these last few months?
Christina: I have been taking social media by storm! I have created social media campaigns for SURVIVORville 2017, My 2nd Act, The Women Survivors Alliance and The Survivor Jewelry Collection! I have created magazine ads for these events as well as highlighting each article that posts on Unconditionally Her to our social media outlets. I have recently been creating different databases to compile information for easy-access for the team.
Unconditionally Her: I know we have had you doing some really interesting assignments these days – and that you have had quite a variety of things on your plate with this internship. What has been your most interesting assignment or task and why?
Christina: My most interesting tasks that I have completed are the magazine ads. I learned so much during the process and I had so much fun coming up with a ‘pitch’ and putting my own creative spin on it!
Unconditionally Her: What has been your most challenging assignment or task?
My most challenging task was the creation of the ‘30 Days of Social Media.’ In the social media campaign I wanted to make sure that I highlighted a lot of events that SURVIVORville 2017 are having to generate excitement as well as draw people to register because it is SUCH a great event. I wanted to throw a bunch of different material in the campaign, motivational quotes, speakers of the convention, My 2nd Act auditions, and Unconditionally Her magazine! There were so many options!
Unconditionally Her: What “take away” lesson have you had so far from this internship – even though it isn’t over yet?
Christina: I have taken so many valuable lessons away from this internship so far; it’s hard to choose! I would say learning the proper techniques of marketing. Before this internship I had little exposure how to market certain things and that is a huge step in growing a business or event! Through guidance and advice of Mrs. Chafin and Ms. Shayne, I feel like I have grown tremulously in my promotional/marketing skills. Not only the knowledge growth in marketing, I have strengthened my ability to work independently.
Unconditionally Her: Thank you, Christina for sharing so much about yourself. We have certainly been very impressed by your work so far and look forward to continuing to work with you throughout the duration of your internship!
Unconditionally Her: Tiara, can you share a little bit about yourself with our Unconditionally Her readers? Where are you from, what are your hobbies, interests, and passions, and about your career aspirations?
Tiara: Sure! I am from Chattanooga, TN. I am a senior at MTSU majoring in Community and Public Health with a minor in Psychology . I am interested in health overall but especially with our youth. I love to play basketball and workout in my free time. I also love to listen to music and cook.
Unconditionally Her: What interested you about becoming involved with WSA as an intern?
Tiara: I wanted to get involved with WSA because my grandmother is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed my freshman year of high school and it changed my life. I just want to help and motivate those survivors because I know it’s hard to deal with any type of cancer.
Unconditionally Her: Can you share with our readers a little about what you have been working on these last few months?
Tiara: These last few months I have had the opportunity to work with amazing ladies who are very passionate about what they do. I have been working on a social media plan and doing a lot of research on what to include in that social media plan. We will be marketing the upcoming 2017 SURVIVORville conference as well as the My 2nd Act shows and Survivor Collection jewelry line.
Unconditionally Her: What has been your most interesting assignment or task and why?
Tiara: The most interesting assignment I have had so far was creating the 30 days of social media plan. I got to how I would like to motivate cancer survivors with videos, pictures, and quotes
Unconditionally Her: What has been your most challenging assignment or task? I’m sure you have had many challenges, but which would you say has been the most challenging?
Tiara: The most challenging assignment has been contacting different cancer organizations because they either don’t have a direct phone number or email.
Unconditionally Her: What “take away” lesson have you had so far from this internship – even though it isn’t over yet?
Tiara: Even though this internship isn’t over yet, I feel that I would take this experience with me. It has been a pleasure to work with astonishing women who are willing to motivate others. I am very much so pleased and grateful to have this opportunity to work with this team.
Unconditionally Her: Thank you, Tiara for sharing more about yourself with us and our Unconditionally Her readers. We are grateful for your involvement with the WSA and look forward to all of your contributions these last few months of your internship with us!
“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” Helen Keller
Thank you, Christina and Tiara for helping us accomplish so much!
