Summer HR Fellowship at Atlas Preparatory School

• Maggie Anderson, Class of 2025
• Comparative Literature Major, Spanish Minor
• Hometown: Burke, Vermont

I am a senior at Colorado College pursuing a BA in Comparative Literature with a minor in Spanish. I am interested in the intersection between feminist/gender and translation studies and am currently working on a feminist translation of a 15th-century Spanish treatise as part of my undergraduate thesis. I am passionate about education, writing, and public policy. I hope to pursue an MA in Journalism after spending a year abroad working as an English Teaching Assistant.

• Position Title: Human Resources Assistant
• Employer Name: Atlas Preparatory School
• 1450 Academy Park Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
• On-Site
• Human Resources

Atlas Preparatory School is a tuition-free K-12 charter school in Southeast Colorado Springs. Atlas prepares and empowers all students for post-graduate success through their three institutional pillars: educational excellence, character development, and community engagement. Atlas serves a 95% low-income student body and is committed to providing their students a high-quality education to reduce generational cycles of poverty.

I entered my internship as a Human Resources Assistant with an open mind. I had never worked in Human Resources before, so I was unfamiliar with many of the HR systems and processes. Through my internship, I was introduced to various aspects of HR such as talent acquisition, new employee onboarding, and auditing processes. I worked closely with the talent acquisition specialist and other departments at Atlas to help with candidate interviews. As part of the talent acquisition process I attended sample teaches for a few positions, ranging from elementary CLDE (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education) to high school math teacher roles. I also worked with the finance office to manage corporate card receipts and approvals, in addition to helping with a budget project for the 24/25 school year. In July, Atlas welcomed new and returning faculty/staff members for an orientation week. For these events, I planned itineraries and put together over 180 gift bags. As part of the orientation events, I gave a presentation to new non-salary staff members detailing how to clock-in/out and how to request time-off in Paycom, a human resources software that streamlines payroll processing and other services. I am beyond grateful for all I learned about Human Resources over the summer. It was incredible to work with such amazing, talented, and passionate people who do everything with the spirit and mission of Atlas in mind.

As I didn't have any experience in Human Resources prior to this internship, many of my goals were centered around learning how to work as part of a team and developing my growth mindset. Atlas prioritizes team-building, striving to build connection, foster empathy, and establish belonging in order to achieve their mission as a community. The Human Resources team at Atlas is an amazing group of women who embody these values in their daily work. From the very beginning of my internship, they welcomed me with open arms, providing guidance and support as I navigated this new work environment. The collaborative approach at Atlas not only helped me develop essential HR skills, but also reinforced the importance of communication and adaptability in a professional setting.

This internship taught me invaluable skills that will no doubt aid me in future endeavors. Working with Excel spreadsheets and data management tools pushed me out of my comfort zone, strengthening my analytical and organizational skills. Beyond technical aspects, I gained a deeper understanding of workplace dynamics, effective communication, and problem-solving in a collaborative setting. As a Comparative Literature major at CC, much of my academic work is centered on critical analysis and textual interpretation, but this internship encouraged me to apply those analytical skills in a different context. Whether it was using functions on google sheets to update budget information or organizing employee files, I learned how to adapt my strengths to support the team’s goals.

Ultimately, this experience broadened my perspective on how a humanities education can translate into professional environments. It reinforced the value of adaptability and continuous learning—both of which will be crucial in future professional settings.

Working a consistent 9-5 schedule in Colorado Springs allowed me to learn about the importance of a good work/life balance! Atlas is only a 20 minute drive from CC's campus without traffic, so I didn't have much of a commute to work. I was able to enjoy summer activities (hiking, biking, camping, etc.) on the weekends and hang out with friends and roommates during the week. Atlas has a week-long break every July, so I was able to travel home to the East Coast to visit family for a week. Even while working a 9-5, I found time to prepare for my senior year of college: I started (light) research for my thesis and applied for a Fulbright fellowship.

The biggest piece of advice I would give to someone looking to apply for a fellowship in the non-profit sector is to keep an open mind! Non-profits often have dynamic and evolving needs, so it is important to be flexible and willing to learn new skills. Even if you don't have prior experience in a specific area, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Also, I recommend taking the time to build meaningful relationships with the people you meet. Go to events that your company is hosting! Networking can open doors to future opportunities, and learning from experienced colleagues can provide invaluable insights. Connecting with coworkers can also make your experience that much better– my coworkers and I often went on walks together to chat and get some fresh air when we needed a break from our computers.

As my time at CC comes to an end, I find myself reflecting upon how I can take the things I am passionate about and turn them into a career. I am passionate about travel and education, which is why I am currently applying for fellowships to work abroad for a year as an English Teaching Assistant. Beyond that, I plan to attend grad school to get a Masters in Journalism.

Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about this internship or location.

Email: m_anderson@coloradocollege.edu