Raven Woods, a Savannah River Remediation summer intern, knows her heart's desire: Helping others in all ways she can.
The Blackville native wants to reach out holistically by immersing herself in peoples' financial, medical, social and professional lives, all to light a path for them. Currently studying accounting at Claflin University, Woods, 20, also has a dream to pursue studies in the medical field after she graduates. She wants to get certified as a CAT scan technician.
"With accounting, I can lead people in the direction of how to manage money," she said. "And the medical field is all about helping people."
At SRR, Woods is spending her summer helping people on a professional level, honing essential workplace skills.
She is splitting time between two Savannah River Remediation departments - Human Resources and the Equal Employment Opportunity office. While her job isn't directly related to an accounting degree, her work in those two departments is training her for the bigger career picture.
During her time in the Equal Employment Opportunity office, she helps ensure minority groups are getting the same employment opportunities as others. On the human resources side, she provides assistance with all steps of the hiring process.
"You just want to give everyone the same opportunity," Woods said. "It's the American Dream."
She also plans to give back to her hometown and start a mentoring program.
"I want to be a guiding light to other people," Woods said. "I've been around those kids who don't get the attention and encouragement that they need. I want to be the person to do that."
She describes herself as driven and motivated. "I'm hard on myself, and that's what pushes me," she said.
Senior writer Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter and has been with the newspaper since September 2001
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