Carlos Mark Vera
Pay Our Interns
Chicago, IL USA
"It’s the small habits that lead to the big results. It’s not about intensity; it’s about consistency."
Career Roadmap
Carlos Mark's work combines: Politics, Entrepreneurship, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I actually don't think there's one right path to get to where I'm at. For me, internships were most important in my career trajectory rather than what I majored in.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science
American University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I started my career in Congress as an unpaid intern—I was interning 30 hours a week, working 20 hours a week, and taking five to six classes a week.
2.
While working for Congress, I noticed that no one looked like me besides the janitor, yet these are the people making major decisions for the country.
3.
I continued to gain experience and build my career in politics and government.
4.
I realized that no one was fighting to expand paid opportunities for interns, so I quit my job and started Pay Our Interns in October of 2016.
5.
While getting Pay Our Interns off the ground, I worked full-time as a server to pay the bills.
6.
Now Pay Our Interns is the leading organization fighting to ensure that everyone has equitable access to careers paths through paid internships.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
When I started Pay Our Interns, I had no money and wasn't getting paid. It was at the sacrifice of my own financial well-being. I learned that the work matters but so do you. You need to take care of yourself too.