Carolyn Smith
Shareholder Development Manager
1001 East Benson Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99508
P (907) 265-4181
F (907) 265-4121
carolyn.smith@nana.com

Victor Anderson

Growing up, Victor Anderson was interested in a career in law enforcement. While reading through a NANA newsletter a couple of years ago, he found an announcement about the Purcell Security internship program offered through NANA.

Victor’s internship took place in two stages. He spent three months attending police academy at the Tanana Valley Campus of University of Alaska Fairbanks. Victor then spent six months participating in a hands-on internship at Purcell Security in Prudhoe Bay. He completed the internship program in November 2002.

After completing the internship, Victor pursued additional training required to work in Prudhoe Bay. He became a registered Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT) and earned his Commercial Drivers License (CDL). He now works as a full-time security officer in Prudhoe Bay for Purcell, primarily at the East Check Point, two weeks on, two weeks off.

Victor believes that the Purcell Security Internship gave him the opportunity for a future career in law enforcement. “It was a great experience all the way around,” he says. Although Victor hasn’t had other internship experiences, he said NANA was extremely helpful and everyone was nice and encouraging. “They designed the internship program to meet BP’s requirements, and they did a great job of putting it all together.”

Winona Karmun Winona was born in Kotzebue and raised in Deering. In 1998, she moved from Deering to Wasilla to begin the NANA internship program at the Palmer Pioneer Home. Her focus was food service management. She learned of the internship program by direct contact from NANA. Winona progressed through a three year program and was then hired full-time. Winona had been out of school for nearly 20 years and going back was quite the challenge. She had to apply herself to independent study in the areas of food service and dietary management. “It showed me a lot I didn’t know,” says Winona. “It was important to learn management skills. When you live in a small village you speak what’s on your mind. I learned that good management style is to think before you speak.” Winona is now the Assistant Dietary Manager at the Pioneer Home in Anchorage.

Cathleen Vestal

Cathleen interned from 2000 to 2002 with insurance brokerage and consulting firm, Willis of Alaska. She was then promoted to a permanent position in the Employee Benefits Department of Willis of Alaska. Cathleen entered the program after graduating from college with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in management. The internship at Willis of Alaska introduced Cathleen to the insurance industry, offering her the experience that she previously lacked. Having experience is a must for today’s employment seeker. Cathleen was able to “learn on the job.”

“This has been a great experience and I’m grateful for my mentor, who helped keep my progress on track,” she says. Cathleen adds, “The NANA internship is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to participate. It’s a way to get a foot in the door and gain experience.” She especially appreciated the structure of the program and the support offered by the NANA Internship Program Administrator, Carolyn Smith. It was Carolyn who knew of the opportunity at Willis and approached Cathleen about participating.

Jyzyk Sharpe

Jyzyk Sharpe works in building maintenance at the BP building in Anchorage. Before participating in the NANA internship program, he was a mechanic at a local RV shop. He was introduced to the program by an advertisement in a NANA shareholder publication.

Jyzyk’s interest in the program was strengthened by his future wife. He filled out the paperwork, but wasn’t particularly hopeful. He was 26 years old and figured that the program was for younger Alaskans.

Regardless of his doubts, Jyzyk was selected for the NANA internship program. By coincidence, the job for which he was training became available and was offered to him as a permanent position only two months after beginning the internship. He has been at BP for two years. Jyzyk believes that NANA’s Shareholder Internship Program has changed his life’s direction. He encourages all Shareholders to give the program a try, despite their age or current life situation.

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