An Interview & Resume Workshop
Introduction by Joni Noel, Director of College Advising
Last month, Ella Adugna, a University of Denver graduate and Foundation intern, led a workshop on interviews, resumes, and professional etiquette. Ella came to Colorado while in high school and navigated the college application process as a first-generation student who speaks four languages. That experience is exactly why she showed up to lead this workshop. She wants to help students find a smoother path than the one she had.
Ella is currently preparing for the LSAT and plans to pursue a career in international and family law. She is looking for a mentor or internship opportunity as she works toward that goal. If you’re reading this and willing to pay it forward, we’d love to connect you.
In Ella’s words:
Many students are exposed to the skills needed to build a resume that colleges seek and value. From AP and concurrent enrollment classes to juggling sports and part-time jobs, learning how those experiences build leadership skills and how to present them is a key part of the college and job application process. Many students arrive at senior year without having had the chance to develop professional communication skills.
Interviews and professional interactions require knowing how to present yourself and engage appropriately. The Interview & Resume Workshop addressed that directly, with an emphasis on older students working alongside high school seniors and college freshmen.
Two guest speakers joined us: Andrea (a Leadership & Scholarship graduate) and Jesus. Both have stayed connected to the Foundation throughout their careers. They spoke honestly about interviewing, job searching, and the application process, and shared their college histories and what led them to their chosen careers. Other students added their own stories. For younger students new to the program, hearing from people just a few years ahead of them made a real difference.
The workshop reinforced The Ambassador Foundation’s commitment to preparing students for success when they encounter future professional opportunities.
The highlight was a mock interview. Older students led younger students through practice interviews, then offered direct feedback and answered questions. Learning in a supportive setting from someone who navigated the same challenges recently is different from any classroom experience.
One of The Ambassador Foundation’s strengths is that older students come back and share what they’ve learned. Andrea and Jesus are proof of that.
We covered internships and why they matter. Both Andrea and Jesus emphasized the value of real-world experience. Work experience and career exploration make students stand out in applications and interviews, and internships open doors to networks, mentors, and organizations that can support what comes next.