Alaska Pacific University
  • Academics
  • Admissions & Costs
  • Student Life & Activities
  • About APU
  • Virtual Campus Tour
  • DONATE
  • Request Info
  • Apply
  • 1 (800) 252 7528
  • myAPU
  • Directory
  • Library
  • Courses
  • Catalog
  • Blackboard
  • (907) 564-8362
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • myAPU
  • Directory
  • Library
  • Courses
  • Catalog
  • Blackboard
  • (907) 564-8362
  • DONATE
  • Request Info
  • Apply
  • 1 (800) 252 7528
Alaska Pacific University

Discover Active Learning

  • Academics
  • Admissions & Costs
  • Student Life & Activities
  • About APU
  • Virtual Campus Tour
  • DONATE
  • Request Info
  • Apply
  • 1 (800) 252 7528
  • myAPU
  • Directory
  • Library
  • Courses
  • Catalog
  • Blackboard
  • (907) 564-8362

Heritage, skills, friends: Ashana Armstrong’s internship was all that and more

Armstrong w internship post 2 Oct
By Ashana Armstrong,
APU undergraduate
Marine Biology and Environmental Science
Class of 2016

Something I always tell people about APU is that our students are really good at finding opportunity and going where it leads.

I know because I’m one of those students.

In the past few years, since I arrived on campus from Puyallup, Wash., my passion for marine biology and environmental science has taken me to Hawaii, around Alaska and as far away as Maine, where I earned academic credit in ornithology, gardens and greenhouses, and composting.

But this past summer was among my best yet.

In May, I noticed that Bering Strait Native Corp. was looking for interns. The program is aimed at business students interested in fields like accounting, information technology and human relations. The corporation wasn’t looking for science students, but I still hoped there’d be a place for me. My grandmother is a proud Yupik who grew up in the northwest Alaska villages of Golovin and White Mountain. My roots are in places served by BSNC.

At my internship interview, I learned that Bering Strait’s business development unit was venturing into a new subsidiary in environmental remediation. I was brought on to help with that.

My internship taught me business while I became immersed in the Native corporation overall. I learned more about my heritage. I attended very helpful workshops on leadership, public speaking and resume writing. I learned to build a spreadsheet that tracked a contract budget and helped save everyone involved a good chunk of money.

I met Alaska Native leaders, including longtime statesman Willie Hensley. I learned about the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. And I made new friends, including co-workers and other interns.

In five short months at Bering Strait Native Corp., I gained so much and made great professional connections. I’d encourage any APU student whose roots are in Alaska Native culture to look to their corporations for internships to help you learn real-world skills while you learn about yourself.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Stories

Photobook: Kellogg Campus and Artic Winter Games Snowshoe Races 2023

Photobook: “49 Days of Ceremony” a traditional canoe-building project with MSOEE students

Photobook: Lookout Cookout event at APU offers a great view of the 51st ceremonial start of the Iditarod

The APU Nordic Ski Team continues to make headlines as they close out the 22/23 season

Celebrating APU’s commitment to accessible education: Friends of APU event honors top donors

You Are Here: Home / Stories / Heritage, skills, friends: Ashana Armstrong’s internship was all that and more

Footer

Alaska Pacific University
4101 University Drive • Anchorage, Alaska 99508
  • Careers
  • Donate
  • Conferencing Services
  • Campus Store
  • Transcripts

© 2023 Alaska Pacific University · All Rights Reserved · Notice Regarding Web Accessibility · Privacy Policy · Website Credits