HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.15.19 Abigail Internship
City of Plainview NEWS
901 Broadway St.
Plainview, TX 79072
August 21, 2019
Abigail Rosas Completes Ogallala Commons
Internship with City of Plainview’s Finance
Department
Abigail Rosas recently completed her Ogallala Commons
Internship with the City of Plainview’s Finance Department this
past summer.
In the Finance Department, Rosas shadowed several different
employees and assisted with daily tasks such as payroll
processes, bank statement and investment reconciliations,
utility billing, accounts payable, check processing, attendance
at various meetings including City Council and many other tasks.
“I had a great experience working with the Finance Department. I was able to experience firsthand
what my professor’s at WT lecture about and how it is used in real life situations,” said Rosas. “It
amazes me to see and know all of the work that must go into their job. It is not as easy and simple as
people make their job out to be. I am very grateful for this wonderful experience and for everyone I
was able to meet and build relationships with.”
Rosas is the second intern the City has coordinated through the Ogallala Commons Intership &
Apprenticeship Program. The internship is overseen by Kade Wilcox, Intern Coordinator at Ogallala
Commons, as well as local staff who work alongside interns to help them use their talents and find
their voice.
“Abigail was a quick learner and offered much assistance for our department,” says Sarianne
Beversdorf, Director of Finance. “Her experience in every facet of our department will be a
tremendous asset for her as she finishes her degree and we look forward in seeing all that she
accomplishes.”
Since 2007, more than 480 youth and adults from twelve states have been involved in our Internship &
Apprenticeship Program. A program for gaining work experience, skill development and hometown
career exploration for high school, college and graduate students as well as older adults. These 200-
240 hour internships are created through partnerships with civic organizations, agencies, institutions
and businesses to provide meaningful projects as well as a stipend for work experience.
"We are proud of Abigail and pleased with the tremendous work experience and professional skill
development he has gained through her internship at the City of Plainview,” noted Darryl Birkenfeld,
Executive Director of Ogallala Commons. "Just as important, he has gained a network of adults that
know his abilities and can help him build a career pathway that will bring him back to
Plainview. Helping youth to come back to their hometowns is a key outcome of Ogallala Commons
Community Internship Program."
Along with her work at the City, Rosas was required to attend an orientation, execute a work plan,
complete ten hours of community service which included setting up events for Ogallala Commons,
helping at the summer movie showings at the Fair Theatre in Plainview, organizing books at the
Plainview City Library and washing the Pavilion for Hart Days events. She also published five blog
posts and conducted a harvesting ceremony, a public presentation about her experience.
Originally from Hart, Rosas is currently a junior at West Texas A&M University majoring in Business
and Finance and is expected to graduate in December 2020.
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Pictured: Saydi Rosas (niece), Mary Helen Rosas (mom), Isaac Rosas (nephew), Debbie McIlroy (Accounts Payable
Clerk), Viktorya Castillo (Utility Billing Clerk), Vanessa, Rincon (Senior Accountant), Tony Lee Hernandez (former Ogallala
Commons Intern), Abigail Rosas, Sarianne Beversdorf (Director of Finance) and Tammy Adams (Accounting Coordinator)