About Us
UpTurnships is more than an internship. We are an equity-minded organization where we uplift and empower student voices through culturally responsive work readiness training and coaching while working with employers to lift their efforts to be culturally inclusive and equitable. Our 360-degree approach ensures a stronger and more sustainable workforce.
Through impactful, non-transactional partnerships and innovative programming, UpTurnships strive to close the racial wealth gap by addressing the racial career advancement opportunity gap.
Vision
A workforce that promotes equitable access and opportunity for ALL to thrive.
Mission
To serve highly motivated, underrepresented college interns, while bridging access to employer partners who are building a racially inclusive, equitable workforce.
History
After a career in corporate America, Julie Burrows and Libby Trader were frustrated with the inability for ALL students to access much needed career development due to many internships being unpaid and wanted to do something about it. In 2014, recently retired with the wisdom of 30 years in the business world, they founded UpTurnships. They knew that if they could impact one student's life and one organization that it made a difference. A third member, Marianne Malko, later joined the team and brought tools and templates from her tenure at Johnson & Johnson, including Clifton StrengthsFinders, to enrich the students’ experience and development. Together, they aimed to make real and lasting change for the next generation. In that first year of programming they served 7 UpTurns with funding from their church. Since the inception of UpTurnships, the organization has expanded it’s reached to serve more than 600 students.
In 2020, La Tasha Shevlin joined UpTurnships as the Associate Executive Director and led the organization as the new Executive Director in 2021.
Julie Burrows
UpTurnships Co-Founder
La Tasha Shevlin
UpTurnships Executive Director
Learn why it is more than an internship experience when you join the UpTurnships community.
