Essence Johnson enjoys playing the guitar at Sackett Educational Center.

When it comes to determination and drive, Essence Johnson from Sackett Educational Center wastes no time gaining as much life and career experience as possible. From career prep programs to interning with the state and volunteering, Essence has immersed herself in opportunities to gain life, education, and career skills to take with her.

Essence took her first step into the professional world this summer by interning with the New York State Offices of the Inspector General. She supported fraud investigations, searched for files, and managed and organized outdated equipment, proving her ability to tackle challenges in a real-world setting. Before being accepted into their program, she had to apply for the internship and be interviewed. When asked what she gained from the experience, Essence said it helped prepare her for future opportunities.

Meet the talented law fellow and operations intern from our Albany office!

They join us from @AlbanyLaw and the John E. Sackett Educational Center.

Our interns bring fresh perspectives & enthusiasm to our team & we’re thrilled to have such a dynamic cohort on board this summer! pic.twitter.com/lHotz0J8Ld

— NYS Inspector General (@NewYorkStateIG) July 30, 2024

“I feel like I will be more prepared for my next internship,” said Essence. “I think I will be less nervous, and I could be good (at working) in an office.”

In addition to her internship, Essence expanded her professional skills through “Ready. Set. Goal!”, a youth program run by the City of Albany’s Office of Audit and Control. Through workshops, field trips, and networking with local business leaders, young adults are engaged in an environment that encourages career exploration and skills building. They covered topics including college prep, professional etiquette, money management, career readiness, and entrepreneurship.

But Essence has been involved in programs to hone in on these types of skills well before last summer. Essence has been a member of the United States Naval Sea Cadets Corp (Sea Cadets) for several years . This youth development program gives young people the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive through training opportunities. They work in teams in a disciplined environment and follow the Sea Cadets’ core values.

Photos provided by Roni Minter.

“It’s kind of like Navy training, but for younger people,” shared Essence. “We obviously don’t go out on missions, but we learn a lot of their skills, like swimming, physical activities, and working as a team.”

Essence credits this training to have helped her with her first Spartan race, an obstacle course style race that you participate in as a group. Not only did it help with the physical aspect, but she understood the importance of cheering on and supporting her teammates.

The skills Essence has honed through her internships and community programs have shaped her into a leader at Sackett Educational Center. A member of the school’s Student Council, Essence recently advocated on behalf of her classmates for new lunch groups, allowing students to eat with their friends.

“I am incredibly proud of Essence,” said Sackett Educational Center Principal Karen Brockley. “She is a leader at Sackett and in the community. It is impressive to see what she can accomplish and prove to herself, her family, and her classmates. Essence is a role model and asset to our school and every program she’s involved in.”

With all her accomplishments, Essence continues to explore new passions. She recently took up guitar at school and is active in additional activities outside of school, including jiu jitsu and advocating for civic engagement, most recently encouraging people to vote in the recent election. Essence is a leader in her community, and we’re excited to see what she’ll achieve next!