EdAhead

Another summer, another round of EdAhead interns! These talented high schoolers from Santa Monica High are spending six weeks of their summer in the Dun & Bradstreet Malibu office. In their six weeks, they’ll get real-world experience in an office and the opportunity to dive into their business interests – marketing, technology, finance, legal, or a combination. They’ll also get to know one another better during intern bonding activities, like beach olympics, and will be mentored by college interns, as well as employees. When they’re not working, you can find them playing ping pong during breaks and taking walks on the Malibu pier. Get to know each 2016 EdAhead intern below!

Uma Nesis – Legal 

Uma is an active member of the Santa Monica High School Solar Alliance club and a strong leader in her temple’s youth program. She has a growing passion for history and believes that the best way to understand the present is to be knowledgeable about the past. When Uma isn’t hanging out with friends or taking care of her five siblings – yes, five – she constantly finds herself researching and reading articles about historical events. Recently, Uma got to fully explore her fascination with history during a trip exploring Israel with her temple. She is interested in business and law, as well as archeology. She hopes to attend Columbia University to continue her studies in history, and also attend law school.

What’s your favorite food?

“I absolutely love potatoes! I don’t care what form they’re in, I just love them.”

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

“I would revisit Israel; it’s my favorite place.”

What shows or movies do you enjoy watching?

“I enjoy re-watching old TV shows like Seinfeld, Psych, and Twin Peaks.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

“Definitely living in New York City. I could see myself either being a lawyer, archeologist or a history teacher. We’ll see.”

Why did you decide to apply to intern for Dun & Bradstreet? What interested you?

“It’s a great opportunity to experience working in the real world, I love the Malibu environment, and I had heard great things about it. I am very interested in law and this has helped me learn about the field first hand.

Jamie Cohen – Marketing 

 

Jamie has a strong affinity for playing the saxophone. He’s an active member of the Santa Monica High School marching band and jazz band and is also very involved in the Model United Nations program. He was born and raised in LA, but he comes from a British family. Jamie loves to spend his free time relaxing with friends or watching House of Cards. He enjoys learning about science, especially chemistry. Jamie has always been interested in working in business and hopes to be a business major one day at his dream school: the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

What is your ideal weekend?

“Not having any school or band obligations and just being able to relax.”

Who’s your favorite celebrity?

“I love Sofia Vergara. She’s absolutely hilarious.”

What is your favorite food?

“Definitely pizza. It tastes amazing.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

“In LA of course, and probably working in the business field.”

Why did you decide to apply to intern for Dun & Bradstreet? What interested you?

“My friend from marching band, Eric, did the internship last year and loved it. I wanted to learn more about working in marketing and experience a real work environment.”

Denita Kiya – Finance

 

Before moving to LA, Denita lived in Paris for the first five years of her life. She is fluent in Farsi, English, and French, and is currently learning Spanish. Denita is the Founder and President of the Santa Monica High School Miss Representation club and Vice President of the Make a Wish club. She is also very involved in Teen Line. As president of the Miss Representation club, Denita started a movement to empower girls at her high school to feel comfortable in their skin by putting inspiring notes around campus. She loves studying math and science because she is a very logical thinker. Denita hopes to attend college on the east coast and study business.

What is your favorite food?

“I love the Persian food called zereshk polo. I’ve grown up with it and it is by far my favorite dish.”

What is your ideal weekend?

“Sleeping in until as late as possible. Then, visiting my favorite thrift store in Arcadia with friends and spending time with family of course.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“I know this sounds typical, but my mom. She’s an extremely strong and stable woman that has been there for me through everything.”

What do you do in your free time?

“I love watching Netflix – Orange is the New Black is my favorite show right now. I also enjoy being a Teen Line listener and spending time with friends.”

Why did you decide to apply to intern for Dun & Bradstreet? What interested you?

“My friend Carlos, an intern last year, recommended that I apply. I felt that the finance position best suited me because I adapt well to new environments and am very detail-oriented. I am also interested in working in business in the future.”

Krista Blide – Technology

Krista is an avid volleyball player and has played left back for beach volleyball clubs for five years. When she’s not practicing with her team, Krista enjoys exploring the outdoors, hiking, surfing, skiing and rock climbing – she does it all! As an only child, Krista is very independent and takes pride in working on her own. She has a strong passion for learning about technology and biology because she believes they are subjects applicable to what she desires to study in the future. When she isn’t studying for her AP classes, Krista takes pleasure in reading historical fiction novels. She hopes to continue her volleyball career and education at the University of California – Berkeley, where she wants to study microbiology.

What’s your favorite food?

“I could eat chocolate lava cakes all day”

What is your ideal weekend?

“Spending time with my friends at a day party at the pool, then enjoying a nice hike in the Pacific Palisades.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“Malala because the cure for poverty is the empowerment of women.”

What shows do you enjoy watching?

“I love old cartoons. My favorites are Spongebob, Southpark, and Futurama.”

Why did you decide to apply to intern for Dun & Bradstreet? What interested you?

“My math teacher recommended the opportunity to me. I wanted to work in a more informal environment than school and learn technology from adult professionals. I also wanted to learn more about tech because I believe it’s the key to the future and it’s very important to me.”

Nathan Wenger – Technology

Nathan recently moved to Santa Monica after living in Georgia for the past 10 years, but he sees California as his true home. In his free time, Nathan enjoys programing computers, reading novels, and spending time with friends. He was involved with the track and cross country teams at Santa Monica High School for two years and currently runs on his own. He is also involved in his school’s Enigmatic Mathematics club and is Vice President of the Progressive Economics club. Nathan loves playing the cello and recently performed with his fellow orchestra students in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. After high school, Nathan hopes to study computer science and pure mathematics at MIT or the California Institute of Technology.

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Easily Math. I love it.”

What is your favorite movie?

“Dr. Strange Love. It always makes me laugh because the same actor plays half the cast and the plot is hilarious.”

What is your favorite food?

“I love to eat mussels.”

Where have you lived in your life?

“Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and California.”

Why did you decide to apply to intern for Dun & Bradstreet? What interested you?

“Previous interns recommended that I apply. I’m very passionate about technology and I possibly want a future in the field. This internship is a great opportunity to get real world experience.”

Sienna Brooks – Social Media

Having grown up in LA her whole life, Sienna is well aware of her surroundings and makes a concerted effort to involve herself in her community. She is President and Founder of the Safe Haven Club, where she volunteers at PATH homeless shelters. She is also Vice President of her Youth & Government Delegation, where she recently passed a bill to outlaw motorcycle lane splitting. Furthermore, Sienna is the Senior Class Secretary in Santa Monica High School’s ASB and a Hebrew school teacher at her temple. Her hobbies include running, biking, hiking, going to the beach, and traveling. Sienna hopes to study communications and journalism in college.

What’s your favorite food?

“Anything spicy. I put hot sauce on everything I eat!”

What is your favorite TV show?

“I just finished binge watching the new season of Orange is the New Black. It’s seriously the best show ever.”

 Who is your role model?

“My mom. She’s the most hardworking caring woman I know and I aspire to be an amazing mother like her.”

Why did you decide to apply to intern for Dun & Bradstreet? What interested you?

“I thought it would be an awesome opportunity to experience working in the real business world. I love working with social media and writing- what better way to learn than from professionals?”