Summer 2024 Intern Profile: Bereket Tumebo
Over the summer Bereket worked as a Project Management Intern. With a focus on team collaboration, task coordination, and strategic planning, he gained invaluable experience in managing complex workflows and ensuring projects stayed on track.
Throughout the internship, Bereket tackled a variety of responsibilities—from scheduling and resource allocation to monitoring project milestones. His hands-on role provided insight into the detailed, dynamic work that goes into delivering successful tech projects. In his profile, Bereket shares his experiences, discussing what he learned about balancing priorities, communicating effectively across teams, and adapting to the unexpected.
Can you first tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a dedicated project manager who thrives on teamwork and bringing ideas to life. I have a thoughtful approach to team collaboration and client relations, and am passionate about delivering meaningful work and ensuring the successful completion of every project. When I'm not managing timelines and tasks, I enjoy discovering new movies, connecting with my community, and finding ways to leave a positive impact on the world.
What variety of projects did you work on during your internship, and what skills did you develop?
I completed the Project Management and BIM program, and since then, I've had the privilege of managing six projects (AI Chatbot Development, Enspi.io, Catalyst for Systems Change, Jobseeker Data Project, Little Earth, and Wonder Wonder). Through these experiences, I’ve become a more proficient Asana user, significantly improved my communication skills, and continuously grown my project management abilities. Especially in agile methodologies.
Can you describe a specific challenging project worked on and how you approached it?
One issue I have encountered in previous projects is scope creep, where stakeholders deviate from the original scope and add new deliverables. I have addressed this by holding meetings with stakeholders to reassess the project's scope and reach a mutual agreement on the deliverables.
In what ways did the internship provide opportunities for your personal and professional growth?
This internship offers development days dedicated solely to personal and professional growth. During these days, I had the opportunity to enhance my LinkedIn profile, update my resume, participate in mock interviews, and work on my portfolios.
“The atmosphere and culture here is amazing; everyone genuinely wants the best for you, and the team pushes you to succeed. ”
The supportive environment inspires me to grow and develop my skills. My interactions with mentors and team members are great. It’s an environment where one can truly thrive and grow. A space where questions are welcomed.
How is the internship shaping your views on leadership and diversity within the tech industry?
This internship has shaped my perspective on leadership by showing me that true leadership encompasses all peoples. Tech is multifaceted, and as a project manager, I’ve had the opportunity to lead projects involving UI/UX designers, front-end developers, data analysts, all different sectors of tech. It gave me a deeper appreciation of the diversity of roles and how they all come together.
What advice would you give to future interns to make the most out of their internship experiences based on what you’ve learned so far?
My advice to future interns is to be a sponge—absorb everything you can. This origination is a great resource to evaluate you into your future career. This is your time to open your eyes, learn as much as possible, and a time to ask questions so that you can grow both personally and professionally.
What are the biggest learnings and takeaways you gathered during your internship?
The biggest takeaway from this internship is, first, that communication is everything in the world of project management and having people skills opens up a lot of doors. Second, the catalyst for career growth lies in your ability to put yourself out there and continuously learn. If I hadn’t decided to apply to the program, complete the training, and commit to the internship, I wouldn’t have gained the valuable skills I have today.
To connect with Bereket, you can view his LinkedIn profile here.
Interested in our Project Management programming? Apply to our Project Management with Architectural Technologies Spring 2025 cohort here.
This programming is part of Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul's Learn and Earn program. Find more information on the scholarship here.