Hayzen Sims (left) and Vega Zaman (right) The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Career Center, Office of Access and Engagement, and the Alabama Public Service Training Initiative have partnered to launch a pilot of the Pathways to Public Service internship program.
This initiative connects 12 UAB students with seven local community organizations. During the program, the UAB Career Center equips students with training to prepare them for internships throughout the summer, while APSTI strengthens supervisory skills among community partners. Together, these efforts demonstrate UAB’s commitment to the Birmingham community and to the professional development of its students. With limited spots, students are encouraged to explore this program and apply.
Two students in the program, Hayzen Sims and Vega Zaman, share their experience, insight on the program and how their internship has helped them grow.
Hayzen Sims
From Gardendale, Alabama, Hayzen Sims is a rising senior at UAB, majoring in psychology and double minoring in women's studies and sociology. She is interning at the Alabama Wildlife Center, a wildlife rehabilitation and education center located in Pelham, Alabama.
Sims first learned of the Pathways to Public Service internship program through a UAB email. At the time, Sims was seeking internship experience, and as she read more about the program, she became more drawn to it and decided to apply.
For Sims, her internship has helped her become more confident in sharing her own ideas and
more comfortable receiving feedback. She describes the culture at the AWC to be inviting, friendly and flexible.
At the AWC, Sim’s day-to-day tasks include:
- Digitalizing bird intake forms
- Aiding in the AWC summer camp program
- Providing insight on website and program improvement
- Brochure design planning
“The most rewarding aspect of working with the AWC has been noticing myself improving in real time,” Sims said. “Going into each week, it is always something new.”
With time, Sims naturally improved on completing tasks efficiently, strengthening her skills and growing more adaptable at the AWC. Her tasks at the AWC allowed her the creative freedom to offer valuable insight on website and program improvement.
“I put myself in the mindset of their target audiences. Every week, I have come to expect that the AWC might have a different task for me, and I developed the ability to stay prepared for anything that comes my way,” Sims said.
Sims recommends the program for anyone seeking internship experience who wants to make an impact in their local community. For those starting an internship, she encourages them to ask questions, as it demonstrates accountability and taking initiative to grow.
After graduation, Sims hopes to pursue a master’s degree at UAB followed by a career in either counseling or medical social work. Her passion is to be able to provide therapy to children and adolescents.
Vega Zaman
Another student who has bloomed during this program and gained valuable experience is Vega Zaman. From Decatur, Alabama, Zaman is a rising sophomore majoring in writing and media. She is interning at the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club, a nonprofit dedicated to serving children in the Greater Birmingham area by providing academic and sports services, club activities, and summer camp programs.
Zaman learned of this internship program by seeing it advertised on a digital screen in the main lobby of McMahon Hall. At the time, Zaman was also actively searching for internship opportunities, and when she saw the advertisement, she felt as if the stars had aligned in her favor and immediately applied.
At the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club headquarters, Zaman serves as the human resources intern. Some of her tasks includes helping write, draft and edit important forms such as direct deposit authorization, employee applications and background checks.
In addition to her HR position, Zaman helps with the company’s marketing strategies, such as measuring and analyzing metrics. She works collaboratively with the CEO and attends staff and senior staff meetings.
“I have witnessed how people discuss topics and how they navigate difficult conversations when they professionally disagree,” Zaman said. “I have witnessed so many little things that I would have never noticed before.”
“This program has helped me grow my skills of professionalism and think deeper about what goes into being a good employee and public servant,” Zaman said.
According to Zaman, the most rewarding part of her internship is to be able to engage with the people she serves, providing tangible results and seeing the output of her work in the business world. She has learned to work diligently, communicate effectively and be adaptable.
“I have gained so many interpersonal, professional skills,” Zaman said. “This program has
Zaman describes the company culture at A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club to be supportive, humbling and empowering, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
Outside of her HR role, Zaman took the initiative to work with the summer camp and to foster relationships with the kids there.
“I really wanted to get better at working with kids because I want to be comfortable directly engaging with the people I serve,” Zaman said.
Every day, she would talk to a new kid and get to know them better. From there, Zaman grew closer with the kids and has built a strong connection with them.
Zaman highly recommends this program to anyone who is seeking real-world experience and eager to learn. For those going into their first internship, Zaman strongly recommends investing in business casual attire to enhance personal professional appearance going into the workforce. She also recommends others to diversify their resume by gaining as much experience as possible.
This upcoming fall semester, Zaman will continue her journey with the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club as a marketing coordinator, where she hopes to develop her marketing skills. She plans to pick up a minor to gain a deeper understanding in marketing businesses.
Throughout her college career, Zaman plans to become more involved in campus while continuing to strengthen her skills by gaining hands-on experience. Looking ahead, Zaman aspires to do marketing for nonprofits, get her master’s degree in creative writing and start on her doctoral journey.