MASTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY STUDENT INTERNS AT MAKE-A-WISH® AMERICA
At the age of fifteen months, Prisca Patrick was diagnosed with Stage IV Ependymoma, a brain tumor accompanied by multiple tumors around her spine. Doctors did not give her much hope for survival,and told her parents that if she did survive she would have an IQ no higher than 70. Despite the devastating prognosis, Ms. Patrick is currently excelling in the Master of Pubic Policy and Administration (MPPA) at the Dept. of Public Policy and Administration Program at Jackson State University.
Ms. Patrick does not remember her initial treatments at such a young age . However, in addition to the the difficulties and hardships that she had to overcome because of the side effects and late effects attributable to the surgeries and chemotherapy, she remembers the numerous non-profit organizations that have provided so many resources and smiles, including the Camp Smile-A-Mile, Alabama’s program for children with cancer, and the Magic Moments, which provides non-medical wishes for chronically ill children. Ms. Patrick was a camper at Camp Smile-A-Mile in 1993, which is a part of the Young Adult Cancer Survivor’s Group within the organization. In addition, Magic Moments granted her wish to go to Disneyland, providing all costs and luxury for her family and herself. Due to the generous supports provided by the two organizations, and several others, Prisca’s heart to help others in the same manner is very evident.
Ms. Patrick applied for a summer internship at several non-profit organizations nationwide, as a way to fulfill the requirement of the MPPA Program in the spring 2015. She accepted the offer from Make-A-Wish® America among multiple offers from nationally well-known non-profit organizations. She worked as an intern for the Chapter of Support Finance and Accounting of the organization in Phoenix, Arizona. The most beneficial and impactful aspect for working for such an amazing organization is the work that she put a smile on a child’s face who is battling a life-threatening medical condition.
The internship program at the Dept. of Public Policy and Administration Program at Jackson State University offers several benefits such as professional development, practical experience, and networking opportunities.
