A few months ago, I received an email from the WTE USF chapter highlighting the Genspiration internship. I immediately jumped at the notification. I had already been attending WTE events at USF, so I saw this as an opportunity to finally step beyond being an attendee and work alongside the powerful women who are actively creating change every day.

The email mentioned that marketing, advertising, or communications majors were preferred, which almost stopped me from applying since I’m an information science major. For a second, I hesitated, but then I thought, why limit myself from a chance to do something different and potentially impactful? So I applied through Handshake, and not long after, I received an email from our CEO, Raechel Canipe, inviting me to interview.

Fast forward to the end of January, I began my journey as a Genspiration intern at Embarc with WTE. The onboarding process was smooth and welcoming, giving me the opportunity to meet other interns and get a glimpse into the team dynamic at Embarc. One thing that immediately stood out to me was how diverse the team was, not just in background, but in experience levels. Seeing team members like Anna, who had recently graduated from USF, made everything feel more accessible and real. It showed me that this was a space where growth is encouraged, and where people at different stages in their careers are all working in meaningful ways.

One of the things I appreciated most was the flexibility. As a student, balancing coursework and professional experience can be challenging, but this role made it feel manageable. I worked in a hybrid format, going into the office once a week while completing other tasks remotely. The Embarc space is such a creative and motivating environment, and it gave me a taste of what a full-time role could feel like. At the same time, the flexibility allowed me to stay on top of my classes while still contributing meaningfully to WTE.

In terms of the work itself, I quickly found myself stepping into areas I hadn’t originally expected, but ultimately ended up really enjoying. A big part of my role involved supporting WTE’s marketing and communications efforts. From helping draft monthly newsletters to writing event recaps and curating swag campaigns, I got hands-on experience translating ideas into messaging that actually connects with a community. It wasn’t just about writing, it was about understanding tone, audience, and how to capture the essence of WTE in a way that feels authentic.

Whether it was brainstorming ways to highlight upcoming events, thinking through creative angles for campaigns, or helping recap moments from different chapters, I started to see how much intention goes into building a strong, connected community. Every piece of content had a purpose to inform, celebrate, and bring people together.

Another aspect of the internship that stood out to me was the opportunity to explore AI tools and how they can be applied in marketing. As someone studying information science, this felt like the perfect intersection of my academic interests and real-world application. I experimented, learned, and implemented new tools in a way that enhanced the work I was doing, which made the experience feel both innovative and practical.

From the moment Raechel began explaining my role and how everything works, I immediately sensed her charisma and passion. That energy is something that carries throughout the entire organization. It motivated me to be a strong asset, to ask questions, and to take ownership of the work I was doing.

Jana Hassan & Raechel Canipe at Embarc Collective's Member Social.

This experience has been so much more than just an internship. It’s been a space where I’ve been able to step outside of my comfort zone, build new skills, and gain confidence in my ability to contribute to something bigger than myself. Being part of WTE has shown me the impact of community, the importance of representation, and what it looks like when people genuinely support each other’s growth.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this organization and to learn alongside such inspiring individuals. This experience has not only shaped my professional interests, but also reinforced the kind of environments I want to be part of in the future—ones that are collaborative, empowering, and driven by purpose.

About Jana Hassan  

Jana Hassan is a student at the University of South Florida, graduating in Spring 2026 with her BS in Information Science, specializing in information security with minors in health informatics and entrepreneurship & innovation. Her academic background reflects a strong interest in how technology, data, and human interactions intersect, particularly in environments where security and accessibility are necessary.

Through her work with Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship, Jana has developed a strong foundation in communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking. Her experience in marketing has strengthened her ability to anticipate needs, understand user behavior, and translate complex ideas into clear, engaging messaging—skills she applies to both web development and cybersecurity, where clarity is just as important as technical knowledge.

With an interdisciplinary perspective shaped by health informatics, Jana is especially interested in how secure, user-centered systems can support real-world impact in areas like healthcare and data management. Jana aims to build technology solutions that are resilient and user-centered. She brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to her work and is committed to building solutions that are not only effective, but intuitive, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of others. As she prepares to graduate this semester, Jana is eager to take the next step in her career and apply her skills in a professional setting where she can continue to grow and make meaningful contributions.

You can connect with Jana Hassan on linkedin.

About The Genspiration Foundation

The Genspiration Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization based in Tampa Bay dedicated to expanding opportunity through strategic philanthropy. By supporting initiatives across education, health, and community and economic development, the Foundation invests in programs that foster independence, innovation, and long-term impact. Through partnerships with organizations like Embarc Collective, the Genspiration Foundation helps create pathways for students and emerging leaders to gain real-world experience, build critical skills, and reach their full potential.

About Embarc Collective

Embarc Collective is a nonprofit startup platform based in Tampa Bay dedicated to helping founders build bold, scalable, and sustainable companies. Through operator-led coaching, strategic connections, and a curated community of high-growth entrepreneurs, Embarc provides the guidance and resources founders need to move from early traction to long-term success. By connecting startups to investors, corporate partners, and top talent, Embarc Collective plays a key role in strengthening Florida’s innovation ecosystem and supporting the next generation of builders.