A cornerstone of our daily lives and a diverse field that can take you to the depths of the ocean or the edges of space, STEM is extremely important to humanity because it has no limits to what can be explored. Naturally, skills in STEM transfer over to other academic or personal areas, and according to the Department of Defense more than 80% of careers will require STEM skills in the next decade. With thousands of jobs being created from STEM every year, it is so important to be passionate and have self-discipline to succeed in the field. That is why our director of STEM at next light is so committed to helping others with the challenge.

Introduction to Dana

A high school senior from Saudi Arabia, Dana Alsalem is balancing academics, extracurriculars, and college applications all whilst being an amazing director of STEM at Next Light! Living in California Dana has much experience with STEM, wether that be through courses or summer STEM programs that covered multiple disciplines. What she loves most about STEM is its challenges and diversity!

Question: “What inspired you to become the director of STEM at Next Light?”

Answer: “I want to portray STEM to everyone in an accessible way since it is such a difficult field. I want to make STEM feel inclusive.”

About the STEM Program

Like the other resource centers at Next Light, the main goal of the STEM program is to get students in touch with STEM internships or supports!

Question: “What do you do in the STEM committee and what are you working on for the future?”

Answer: “In the STEM committee we are brainstorming initiatives and promoting STEM! We are currently developing a 1:1 mentorship program.”

What’s included in the upcoming mentorship program?

• Matching mentors to mentees through data for people pursuing STEM in general
• Learning modules to help mentors guide mentees through different disciplines
• Four to six weeks of support, instruction and feedback

More from the department

While the main goal is a mentorship program, other exciting projects are coming in the future! The most exciting is online interactive workshops hosted by the STEM department that will be open to everyone. While there are no set dates for the release of the STEM departments upcoming projects, you can still reach out to them to find an internship personalized for you or to simply ask questions

How to get in Touch

Question: “What would you like to say to people who want to volunteer for the STEM department?”

Answer: ”Do it, come join! It’s a great, new opportunity to grow personally and professionally, especially if you love STEM.”

To volunteer with us, visit our volunteer opportunities page below, select committee member, and fill out an application:

Question: “What would you like to say to people who want to reach out to your department but are unsure?”

Answer: “Don’t hesitate! We’re all so dedicated and welcoming, there’s low pressure and we’re curious to help others! We can answer all of your questions and be of help to you.”

If you’re a student seeking internship assistance, click on the link below and select STEM, then fill out the form so our volunteers can find personalized internships for you!

An Introduction to the Director

A UCLA alumni, Chidera grew up in Southern Califonria and graduated with a Bachelors in Human Biology and Society. She is an aspiring attorney with a passion for healthcare law, combining her love for science and equity in her daily work!

• Question: What inspired you to become the director of Pre-Law at Next Light? Answer: “I initially started my professional journey with aspirations of becoming a doctor. After some reevaluation, I realized that law would be the most effective and streamline way to achieve my goals. In that transition, I’ve learned a lot about the legal space, academically and professionally and I would love to share that knowledge with other through my role as Pre-Law Director. I want to help students understand more about their passions and aid them in deciding if law is right for them.”
• Question: What qualities do you possess that you believe are necessary when pursuing law?
  Answer: “I love to research, analyze, and yap. I believe those skills were developed in my 6-year involvement in Model United Nations between high school and college. I am very passionate about equity and justice, especially for marginalized groups. I am confident that these skills facilitate my journey in becoming an attorney.”

About the Pre-Law Program

Pre-Law is among four resource centers at The Next Light Foundation, run by volunteers that provide personalized internship recommendations and mentorship. One of Chidera’s goals with the program is to equip members with information that takes their approach to law school applications and a legal career to new heights with their basic support system, and additionally hold informational yet interactive online events centered around everything Pre-Law and even college applications. Right now Chidera and her team are hard at work getting the program running!

• Question: How many volunteers do you have, and what are you working on at the moment?
  Answer: “I have one at the moment. So far, the team has added pre-law opportunities from across the nation to the database. I’ve even added programs myself or friends have completed so some of the programs have been tested and approved.”

Online events/supports to look forward to:

• Personal statement workshop
• LSAT Study Seminar
• Law Student Panel 
• Attorney Panel (certain specialities)
• How to research law schools
• LinkedIn/Networking 101
• Financial Aid

What could the Pre-Law program mean for you?

• For Students: If you are a high school student or beyond looking for experience in Law internships, programs, or earning certificates, our Pre-Law program is where you need to look. Our volunteers will provide you with information personalized to you, and mentor you throughout the process of landing the internships you apply to. Beyond this, you can find a variety of information on key aspects of pursuing law and get advice from professionals in one spot. 
• For Volunteers: If you are in middle school or beyond interested in Pre-Law and looking for volunteer hours, I highly recommend volunteering with the program! Under the guidance of Chidera, you will research opportunities in law, provide customized internship recommendations, mentor students trying to land an internship, and assist in putting together informational events. Not only does it look great on your resume or college application, you get the chance to impact future advocates nationwide! 

How to get in Touch

Whether you want to volunteer or are looking for internship assistance, I’ll show you how to get in contact with them! Here is what Chidera has to say to future volunteers or students in need:

• Question: What would you like to say to people who want to volunteer for the Pre-Law department?
  Answer: “JOIN! It’s gonna be a great opportunity to develop yourself professionally. One thing I’m excited about is to learn from students and the research I do on behalf of students. I am yet to apply to law school so a lot of the events the pre-law department will hold will be applicable to me as well and I think future volunteers who are interested in a career in law will be able to benefit from that dynamic as well.”

• Question: What would you like to say to anyone who wants to reach out the the Pre-Law program for assistance?
  Answer: “Please reach out. I am more than happy to assist students who are trying to navigate the legal space because I understand. In some ways, I’m in their shoes so I’m happy to navigate it together. Through my research, I’ve developed a wonderful network of legal professionals, lawyers, healthcare professionals, and fellow students who possess a wealth of knowledge that I can have them share with members!”
  

To volunteer with us, visit our volunteer opportunities page below, select committee member, and fill out an application:

If you’re a student seeking internship assistance, click on the link below and select Government/Law, then fill out the form so our volunteers can find personalized internships for you!

Conclusion

In summary, the Pre-Law program is the resource center to go to when pursuing law and navigating internships/college applications! Volunteer work with the program could range from research to event planning, while seeking help with the program provides personalized assistance and mentorship! As the director, Chidera is very experienced in pre-law and is applying to law school herself in the coming years, which makes her a relatable guide for students pursuing law, and is very excited to work with future volunteers and students.

Interested in hearing about our other resource departments? More blogs are to come! Thank you for reading.

An Introduction to the Director

From a small town in Virginia, Natalie is a Senior in high school pursuing emergency medicine. She is an NREMT with lab research experience, and has used her involvement with Pre-Med as her foundation as the director of our Pre-Med program. As a founder of her own internship-help group, Natalie hopes to further impact students with Next Light!

• Question: What made you qualified to be the director of the Pre-Med Program?
  Answer: “I have research and clinical experience, and in my own organization I provided students with online research opportunities that helped them have the background that would get them inside of a real lab. Obviously you can’t give inexperienced students expensive machinery, but through the program I hosted we gave them that basic experience to get them into higher level programs. That’s what I’m hoping to do here!”

About the Pre-Med Program

Pre-Med is among four resource centers at The Next Light Foundation, run by volunteers that provide personalized internship recommendations and mentorship. One of Natalies goals with the program is to create a supportive community among her volunteers where everyone wants each other to succeed and wants students to do well.

• Question: What is your vision(s) for the Pre-Med Program?
  Answer: “My main vision is to work together on applications and essays, I think it would be good to have group essay reviews. I know that medicine essays are a big thing and I also want to do mini-lessons about different careers, how to find experience, good certifications, and obviously our main goal which is helping students find opportunities and helping them apply.”

What could the Pre-Med Program mean for you?

• For Students: If you are a high school student or beyond looking for experience in Pre-Med internships, programs, or earning certificates, our Pre-Med program is where you need to look. Our volunteers will provide you with information personalized to you, and mentor you throughout the process of landing the internships you apply to.
• For Volunteers: If you are in middle school or beyond interested in Pre-Med and looking for volunteer hours, I highly recommend volunteering with our Pre-Med program! Under the guidance of Natalie, you will research Pre-Med internships, provide customized internship recommendations, and mentor students trying to land an internship. Not only does it look great on your resume or college application, you get the chance to impact students nationwide!

How to get in Touch

Whether you want to volunteer or are looking for internship assistance, I’ll show you how to get in contact with them! If you’re unsure about volunteering, see Natalies advice below.

• Question: “What do you have to say to students who want to volunteer with the Pre-Med Program but are unsure?
  Answer: “I think just take a shot, and figure it out! There’s no harm in taking an opportunity to see if you enjoy it or not.”

To volunteer with us, visit our volunteer opportunities page below, select committee member, and fill out an application:

If you’re a student seeking internship assistance, click on the link below and select Pre-Med, then fill out the form so our volunteers can find personalized internships for you!

Conclusion

To summarize Next Light’s Pre-Med Program, it is the place to go to no matter your age if you are looking for experience in Pre-Med, whether that means volunteering with us or acquiring mentorship as you search for and apply for internships. Our director Natalie is very excited to work with a variety of volunteers and students and use her prior experiences in Pre-Med and internship help to help you achieve your goals.

Check back in every Monday for more blogs on the Next Light Foundation! Thanks for reading.