Three words describe senior Isabela Hurtado: hardworking, goal-oriented, and service-driven. The Bonner Scholar anticipates completing over 2,250 hours of community service by graduation. She’s also managed to pack a double major (international business and business management), two significant internships and study abroad into her college career.
Community issues like hunger relief, child advocacy and education are close to Isabela’s heart. Since 2022, she’s volunteered with local nonprofits, such as the Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministry, Bloom Closet and Boys & Girls Club. In these nonprofits, Isabela has been able to gain experience in fundraising, planning community outreach and supervising volunteers. In addition, she is passionate about advising and empowering other first-generation high school students to seek higher education opportunities.
In the summer of 2024, Isabela grew her leadership skills in Central America.
“Through the nonprofit, Amigos de Las Americas, I was able to live in Costa Rica working as an associate project director. I oversaw the execution of 15 community service initiatives, supported 44 volunteers, and tracked operations such as budgeting,” she explains. “Living in an unfamiliar environment pushed me to grow both professionally and personally, but more than that, the bonds I formed and the support of the local community turned Costa Rica into a place I’ll always carry with me.”
Right after the internship, Isabela headed to Barcelona, Spain, for a semester.
The following year, she joined J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) in Denver, Colorado, as a dedicated operations intern. In her role, Isabela was able to push herself to expand her business and operations knowledge beyond the classroom.
Featured in JBHT’s weekly intern spotlight, Isabela emphasized the importance of choosing a company that authentically applies core values in its daily operations. She also advised student interns to say yes to every learning opportunity, ask questions with confidence and enjoy the experience: “Some of my favorite parts of my internship were just talking and laughing with JBHT employees.”
What’s next for this citizen of the world? “I’d love to work for an international organization such as the United Nations, where I can use my English and Spanish skills to help support local communities,” Isabela says.
Capitalizing on experience in nonprofit administration, cross-cultural collaboration, project management and community building, she’s sure to travel far in her career.
