Callines looks back on time in D.C.

Published 10:27 pm Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Selma University student Mieka Callines completed an internship this summer in Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s D.C. office.

Selma University student Mieka Callines completed an internship this summer in Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s D.C. office.

By Samantha Bolden | The Selma Times-Journal

Selma University student Mieka Callines has completed her summer internship in the Washington, D.C. office of Congresswoman Terri Sewell this past July.

Callines said that she was reluctant to apply for the internship, but she’s glad that she gave it a try.

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“It was a wonderful experience from start to finish,” Callines said. “At first, I was nervous because I was in a city where I’ve never been before as well as not knowing anyone, but everyone was so welcoming.”

Her internship began on June 19 and concluded on July 15. She stayed on the George Washington University campus for free and received a stipend weekly for four weeks.

During her internship, Callines said that some of her responsibilities included answering phones, mailing memos, attending meetings and taking notes.

The 22-year-old credited the internship for teaching her more about patience as well as working with others.

“I learned how to be more patient. I know that I can’t do it all in one day,” Callines said. “I learned how to work in an effective business setting with other interns in the office and a lot about politics too. The internship has taught me quite a bit.”

Callines, who is a single mother to her 4-year-old son Mason, said that she hopes to encourage other single mothers to realize that just because you’re a mother, you do not have to put your hopes and dreams on the backburner.

“Most things that young women fear is leaving their child behind for a period time to go and do something, but if you’re going to do something positive and if it’s going to benefit you and your child in the long run, then go for it,” Callines said. “Don’t let anything stand in your way.”

Callines will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Originally she wanted to get her master’s degree in accounting at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, but since her internship, she decided to pursue a new career path.

After receiving some words of encouragement from Congresswoman Sewell as well as doing some research, Callines has decided to become a financial analyst after visiting the New York Stock Exchange and is currently looking for schools with a good programs in that field.