Internships
Point Mentors Michael Miller & Jeffrey Davis
Point Scholar Zach Zyskowski
We Have Been Fortunate
On a chilly day in December in Munich, Germany Michael Miller and Jeffrey Davis were leafing through a copy of The Advocate Magazine when they came across an ad from The Point Foundation. The ad happened to be exactly what they were looking for. Having spent the past 17 years together, accruing numerous personal and professional accomplishments, they wanted a way to give back:
“We have been fortunate. We have very supportive relationships with friends and family. We would like to create similar opportunities for others.”
Recognizing the importance of access to supportive role models, Miller and Davis decided to fulfill this moral impulse to share their successes by applying to serve as Point Foundation mentors. But they also had something more substantial in mind.
“While donations are always good, my partner and I believe an internship can have a more meaningful impact on a scholar’s life education. I spent a semester in Vienna during school and it was one of the most important aspects of my college education. It was very defining for me,” commented Miller.
Miller and Davis had a vision. Creating an internship based in Munich, that would benefit a Point Scholar both personally and professionally.
“We believe that at times too much emphasis is placed on financial success in American society. By sponsoring a student internship for the summer, we can provide a learning environment for professional development. But more importantly, the summer program would offer the opportunity to explore and learn about other cultures.”
And they did just that. In less than two months, Miller and Davis set up an internship with The Point Foundation and Installed Building Products, a $400 million revenue company where Miller serves as the Executive Vice President of Finance.
Enter Zach Zyskowski, a 2004 Point Scholar who, remarkably entered UCLA as a freshman when he was only 16 years of age. After going through an official application process that involved written essays, providing references, and a phone interview, Zach was selected as the first Point Foundation-Munich intern. Over the summer, Zyskowski, who is interested in business and law, will be working directly with Miller for 20 hours a week. He will assist Miller in the research and analysis of acquisition opportunities, alternative financing arrangements and structures, and private company corporate governance issues. In addition, Miller will assist Zyskowski in understanding the stock market through management of an investment portfolio. The money Zyskowski earns trading stocks will go directly to The Point Foundation. Miller and Davis have arranged for a furnished apartment, roundtrip airfare, and a nominal stipend for Zyskowski who is, to say the least, thrilled about the opportunity.
“I am so excited about going because I would never have this opportunity otherwise, and it should be an amazing learning experience,” said Zyskowski. With looking forward to challenging himself in a professional sense and having the chance to explore a new culture, Zyskowski is also looking forward to connecting to a part of his family lost in the fray of a hectic, abusive childhood. Zyskowski’s father, who he does not know, was born in Cologne and still has relatives currently residing in Germany. “I grew up with my grandparents and I never had the chance to meet that side of my family, so this opportunity is especially meaningful to me.”
Miller and Davis chose to direct their philanthropy toward The Point Foundation to help students just like Zyskowski. “Point Scholars each have a very unique set of circumstances that have put them in a position where they can not always take full advantage of life’s opportunities. They are bright and energetic students seeking to make the community better for everyone. My partner and I empathized with the scholars’ personal circumstances. It seemed only appropriate to try and find a way to assist them,” commented Davis.
Zyskowski fits this personae to a T. His personal circumstances were so dire before becoming a Point Scholar, that he faced having to sell his most prized position—a violin. Zyskowski mastered the violin at a young age and has won international accolades for his musical prowess. Zyskowski credits The Point Foundation and the support network it provides for much of his recent success.
It is only the generosity and aspirations to make a difference in the LGBT community from individuals such as Miller and Davis, that we are able to provide such growth opportunities for students like Zyskowski. Before starting his internship, Zyskowski will begin his travels in Europe taking lectures on globalization and business at the Sorbonne as part of an institute through UCLA. Despite being one of the youngest students in his Freshman class, Zyskowski has maintained a 3.98 GPA at UCLA.
Knowing this, Miller is looking forward to what Zyskowski will bring to his business. “I expect Zach will provide a new and fresh way of looking at the operations of the company, and also some interesting insights into the German culture as seen through the eyes of a young adult”. Watch out Miller, you just may be looking at your next boss.
Julie Schell
Manager, The Point Foundation Mentoring Program
2003 Point Scholar