2018 Lead Sounders Intern, Emanuel, reflects on his experiences with YouthForce and the impact he has on his peers: I ask myself, ‘How can I help them get out of their comfort zone?’”

“I prepare myself to prepare them,” Emanuel shares, pictured here in the CenturyLink staff locker room before the Sounders FC match against Philadelphia on Sept 19th.

Emanuel is one of five Lead Interns for the Sounders TeamWork Internship Program this year. He is a true veteran, having served three seasons as a member of the TeamWork (TW) program and gaining experience as both a Seahawks and Sounders intern. “I learned a lot from the last three seasons,” he says. “As a Lead this year, I’ve been able to use the skills I developed.”

Emanuel is currently attending classes at Highline Community College and looking to transfer to pursue his degree in biology or pre-med at a university in Washington state so he can stay close to his family. He wants to be a pediatrician. “I’m looking for good programs as well as a good community around the school so I can get an internship at a hospital. I went to the hospital a lot when I was younger, so I want to help those little kids — they could be future YouthForce interns!” 

“I’m looking for good programs as well as a good community around the school so I can get an internship at a hospital.”

TeamWork Program Director, Austin Bergeron, has worked closely with Emanuel over the last two years and felt strongly about featuring him as one of our youth this month.

“From the first time I started working with him, it has always been clear to me that Emanuel has all of the raw stuff that makes a great leader”

 

“From the first time I started working with him, it has always been clear to me that Emanuel has all of the raw stuff that makes a great leader: integrity, commitment, and a cool confidence that he brings to all interactions. His smile and laugh bring up everyone around him. It’s been an enormous privilege to witness his growth as a leader this year – he’s going to do remarkable things wherever he goes.”

And it’s clear that Emanuel himself is aware of his personal and professional growth: “I’ve really come out of my shell. I’m a shy person, but there are fans and other interns looking up to you, so I’ve really focused on communicating well with all of them. I ask myself, ‘How can I help them get out of their comfort zone?’”

“When it’s time to work, we’re serious, but we’re family too. We have fun.”

 

Emanuel and his fellow Lead Interns function as well oiled machines, taking on their roles with confidence and determination at every game. “Since the first day we met as Leads, we just clicked. When it’s time to work, we’re serious, but we’re family too. We have fun. I have fun every single game because of the people I get to work with and the environment.”

Emanuel is yet another YouthForce believer: “YouthForce has offered me a lot. Every student should get involved in it, honestly. It just opens doors. They help prepare you for future jobs, and encourage you to get one step closer to being the better person you know you can be.”

“YouthForce helps prepare you for future jobs, and encourage you to get one step closer to being the better person you know you can be.”

Learn More About Our TeamWork Internship Program:

Through engaging work at CenturyLink Field, the TeamWork Internship Program provides the perfect opportunity for teens to learn the professional skills necessary for today’s workplace and to start down the path to self-sufficiency. On Seahawks and Sounders game days, interns work with their peers to provide the best possible experience for fans. Through YouthForce University and their work at the stadium, interns learn self-awareness, customer service, communication, leadership, and teamwork – skills that will stick with them for a lifetime.

A huge thank you to our TeamWork Internship Program partners who make this all possible!