Barbara Nelson, Contributor

Ava Simpson has had some great experiences on the way to gaining her master's degree in public administration at Howard University, Washington DC, in May 2007. Three years earlier, in May 2004, she had earned her bachelor's in public relations, also from Howard University. She started out studying broadcast journalism but changed to public relations - a change with which she's quite comfortable.

She is one of those persons who is willing to change course if the change will increase her knowledge base and enable her to contribute more to life.

The Washington DC government now employs Ava and she's learning how government works. But she is already looking far down the road and thinking about the possibility of going to law school.

"Having a law degree would definitely help me to use my skills, and help me to analyse and implement policy," she said thoughtfully. With her sights set on returning to Jamaica in the future, she added, "I want to contribute much to life by having academic and professional experience."

Over time, her plans have evolved and the internships and volunteer experiences she has had have greatly influenced her. She came to the United States to study in 2000 after her high school education at Bishop Gibson and Manchester High School.

Political News Intern

As part of her training towards her first degree, Ava worked from September 2003 to December 2003 as a political news intern at Fox News Channel in Washington DC on a Fox News Channel scholarship. That was a particularly exciting time for her as she researched and developed content for the political news desk, beat producers and on-air talent, and provided field reporting on political news events that were used by on-air talent in news stories.

A part of her internship at Fox News Channel included attending press events at the White House and Capitol Hill to get information on political activities for Fox News Channel viewers.

Ava said she always felt included whenever she had to work along with the professionals.

"I particularly liked the production aspect of providing news," she said.

From January 2004 to May 2004, Ava worked as a communications intern on the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids in Washington DC.

"The people who were involved were very passionate about the project. I was in the communications department," she said.

Apart from researching smoking and tobacco-related articles and ads in newspapers and magazines for daily clips and special projects, Ava assisted in coordinating special event planning for Kick Butts Day, March 31, 2004. Kick Butts Day is an annual event - the largest youth-led anti-tobacco initiative in the U.S. She also assisted with the Youth Advocacy of the Year Awards Gala on May 5, 2004.

She was awarded a Black Entertainment Television (BET) scholarship for one semester. Not only did she make the dean's list, but also the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Golden Key International Honor Society. Ava was a Collegiate All-American scholar - a programme founded in 1978 with a mission to recognise outstanding students in America's colleges and secondary schools.

"I was out of school for one year after my first degree," she said, "then I started to work on the master's degree."

work in Corporate America

From September 2004 to July 2005 she had the experience of working with Corporate America when she became Member Relations Coordinator for the Consumer Electronics Association in Arlington, Virginia. Among the various things she was involved in was co-coordinating special event planning for conferences and member relations events at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas which increased the visibility of member companies at the show.

Back at Howard University, again she was a graduate assistant from August 2005 to May 2007. In that capacity, she supervised 16 resident assistants with the aim of having a cohesive unit and a healthy dormitory atmosphere. She was also required to provide conflict resolution for resident assistants and front desk staff.

Creating and organising hall events and arranging programming for staff enrichment to increase productivity for both residents and staff at the University were other aspects of her duties.

From June 2006 to May 2007, Ava worked as an Eisenhower Graduate Fellow with the Federal Highway Administration in Arlington. One of her assignments was to make a presentation at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) to the Technology Transfer Committee on how community colleges can contribute to transportationworkforce development.

She has a positive attitude about the various experiences she has had and the way in which her life is unfolding.

"I've learned from all the experiences. Howard University was one experience, working with Corporate America was another," she said. "Then, volunteer work with Kid Power DC - a very good after-school programme - was also good. I have done many different things and all the experiences have made me stronger. I've stepped out of the mould and I like where I'm going."

"I've learned from all the experiences. Howard University was one experience, working with Corporate America was another," she said.