Meet our scholars
Meet our scholars
Our internship program exposes students to new career opportunities; promotes entrepreneurship; encourages knowledge sharing among academics, business leaders, and trade associations; and helps to solve complex challenges facing business and society.
To celebrate the achievements of our interns, we’re launching an Intern Spotlight to amplify the meaningful work accomplished within the internship program.
Raelan Miller
What school do you currently attend?
North Carolina Central University School of Law Class of 2024
What department do you intern in?
Cyber Space and National Security
What are your future career goals?
To use my future status as an attorney to serve the disenfranchised and become an asset to my country. I seek to join the General Counsel of an intergovernmental or US intelligence organization to help maintain its laws and integrity.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m a law student at North Carolina Central University, in Durham, NC. Originally born in San Antonio, Texas, my family eventually settled in North Carolina's Research Triangle area. I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense. After graduating in 2019, I became the first Operations Manager of iTicket.Law, the largest traffic and criminal defense law firm in North Carolina. I contributed to the firm's significant growth, led its commitment to diversity among the administration staff, and continued to provide support throughout her first year of law school. Now as an intern with the US Chamber of Commerce National Security Department, I plan to obtain further substantive knowledge and experience to contribute to my professional development.
Kieu Anh Vu
What school do you currently attend?
California State University, Long Beach
What department do you intern in?
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, International Division
What are your future career goals?
I hope to work as a consultant or a researcher who provides important context on trade and commerce and works on projects that respond to funding from international organizations for international development, infrastructure, and education.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m an experienced research assistant with a demonstrated history of working in the think tank industry. I am currently a senior International Business student at California State University, Long Beach. I have more than two years of experience in statistical analysis and overarching research on emerging markets, cultural awareness, and transportation. I’ve has been a research assistant at the Center for International Trade and Transportation (CITT) in Long Beach, California. I’m responsible for conducting high-level and overarching research in multiple disciplines and compiling up-to-date data for CITT's clients' training programs. Besides being a President's Honor List student, I have been serving my university and fellow peers for three years, from working as a math tutor to assisting the Director of the International Business program. I am highly self-motivated, goal-driven, and organizational-oriented. My academic and career interests include education, environmental issues, the global value chain, and the diversity of business functions, including international finance.
Payton Jackson
What school do you currently attend?
Claflin University, Class of 2024
What department do you intern in?
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Department of Strategic Alliances & Outreach
What are your future career goals?
I am Interested in becoming a practicing attorney in either International Trade or Corporate law.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a junior at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where I am double majoring in Political Science and Business Management. At Claflin, I am a member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, Student Government Association, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. After graduating I plan to attend law school. My interest in law developed last summer when I had the opportunity to participate in The University of Akron School of Law’s LSAC Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholar Program. I learned about the foundations of the legal system and how business and law intersect. Inspired by what I learned, I plan to practice either Corporate or International Trade law. In my free time, I enjoy baking, traveling, and watching movies.
Kalaya Sibley
What school do you currently attend?
Dillard University, Class of 2023
What department do you intern in?
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Department of Communications
What are your future career goals?
I have a passion for advocacy of basic human rights and communications. I aspire to attend law school post-graduation with hopes to intersect both her media and legal education, and eventually pursue a career in media law. Additionally, I also aspire to eventually open up a firm that focuses on media litigation, crisis communications, reputation management, and more.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a Dallas, Texas native, currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree at the historical Dillard University, where I will be a senior Mass Communications major, Political Science minor, and Pre-Law. I live by my favorite African Proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.
Zaria Dawkins
What school do you currently attend?
Bowie State University, Class of 2022
What department do you intern in?
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Department of Strategic Alliances & Outreach
What are your future career goals?
My career goals are to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree inBusiness Administration, start a career as Management Consultant or Financial Manager/CFO and then move forward as a business owner and investor.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am currently a senior at Bowie State University studying Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. I am interning at the U.S Chamber in the Strategic Alliances and Outreach Dept. and am the founder and CEO of my own business "Zaria's Beauty Bar" as Lash Technician and Artist.
Ian Sharps
What school do you currently attend?
Howard University, Class of 2025
What department do you intern in?
Chamber Technology Engagement Center, Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness, Global Innovation Policy Center
What are your future career goals?
My career goal is to either work for Morgan Stanley as an investment banker president or to own my hedge fund.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born in the brisk month of 2003. I was born to the very proud parents of Ian Sharps Sr and Paige Long Sharps. Since the age of 11, I have been in various programs and organizations, spanning from Jack and Jill of America Incorporated to the illustrious rites of passage program of Blue Nile Incorporated. I graduated from Iona Preparatory High School while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. Whilst in highschool I interned for Morgan Stanley, worked in my city hall's accessor's office, won various scholarships from the Alpha Kappa Inc. sorority to the African American Men of Westchester organization, and participated in extracurriculars and community service. I'm currently a sophomore at Howard University holding a 3.8 GPA while interning for the department of commerce expected in May of 2025.
