Shemar Samuels

“I know in life there will be challenges, but I have learned to self-advocate and to persevere when faced with an obstacle.”

Shemar Samuels may be the king of internships. While he acknowledges that securing his first one was not easy, once he got his foot in the door at the Hartford Hospital Data Center, there was no stopping him. He persevered and ultimately earned two more internships for his junior year. Shemar’s hard work earned him recognition and he spoke at both the United States Coast Guard Academy and Journalism and Media Academy about his experience. It is clear that Shemar has gained practical life and workforce skills that he continues to hone. He has also taken what he learned and is a student representative on the Industry Advisory Board at his school, Pathways Academy of Technology and Design, to support and help grow their internship program.

Shemar’s accomplishments in high school, which in addition to his internships are honor roll and taking classes at Capital Community College, earned him an acceptance to Central Connecticut State University and the Travelers EDGE program. Next year, Shemar will continue to expand the qualities he gained from his internships as he studies computer science and/or management information systems.