Meet Aleks, Bank of America Student Leader Intern
At Michelle’s Place, we believe in the power of connection. Being seen, supported, and surrounded by people who care. This summer, we had the joy of welcoming Aleks Samofal, as our Bank of America Student Leader intern, into that circle.
Aleks didn’t know exactly what he was walking into. A cancer resource center run by a powerhouse team of 10 women? It’s not your average internship setting. But he jumped in wholeheartedly, and from day one, he showed up with curiosity, kindness, and a willingness to learn.
The Bank of America Student Leaders program selects top high school juniors and seniors for a paid 8-week summer internship with a nonprofit. The program helps prepare future leaders by giving them real-world experience in service, advocacy, and teamwork.
As Bank of America explains:
“Bank of America’s Student Leaders program selects high-performing local high school juniors and seniors for a paid 8-week summer internship with a nonprofit. For 20 years, this highly competitive, prestigious national program has helped prepare the next generation of community-minded young adults to be successful in their careers.”
“The Student Leaders gain valuable job skills while learning first-hand how the business and nonprofit sectors work together for a better Inland Empire.”
Aleks quickly became a valuable part of our team. He helped organize our Bounce Party in the Park back-to-school event from start to finish, tackled Google Analytics to help us better understand our digital reach, and sat in on emotional Legacy Interviews, adding insightful, thoughtful questions that deepened each conversation. More than a Bank of America Student Leader Intern, he has become part of the team!
What’s more, he discovered strengths he didn’t know he had. His calm energy, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving instincts came through in every task, whether it was planning an event or interpreting data.
In Aleks’ own words:
“Being part of the Bank of America Student Leaders program has been an incredible opportunity for me to grow as a community-focused individual. It’s given me a deeper understanding of how nonprofits operate behind the scenes and has helped me become more engaged and active in my local community. In the (hopefully not too distant) future, I hope to combine the civic skills I’ve gained from this experience with my background in engineering to create tools, devices, and infrastructure that support underserved communities and help build more equitable opportunities for everyone.”
We’re proud of Aleks, not just for the work he’s done, but for the heart he’s shared with us. Interns like Aleks remind us why it’s so important to bring young leaders into real spaces. When they experience the humanity behind the mission, they gain something far more valuable than a resume bullet.
To learn more about the Bank of America Student Leaders program or how to apply, visit the program overview or read the FAQ.
