Sequoia Baker capped her tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a four-month spring internship on first lady Michelle Obama’s communications team. A Facebook post she wrote about the journey from a challenging childhood to the White House garnered more than 7,000 hits. ABC News picked up the story. Baker, who earned her bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in journalism in May, talks about the experience.

First of all, how does it feel to be famous now that your story got picked up by ABC?

(Laughing). That’s been incredible. Someone shared my post on Facebook with a page that I wasn’t formerly familiar with, Because of Them We Can. That community kind of rallied around it, and people shared their own stories.

How were you selected for the internship?

I always had this idea of applying, but just didn’t think it was for me or that I was qualified. But after two years in county government [as a legislative aide], I got the confidence to go ahead and apply. I filled out the application right here in the UWM Library in September. I worked on it nonstop over a weekend.

What kind of work did you do in your position at the White House?

I was responsible for just everyday tasks that come through the first lady’s press office as well as regular events hosted by the first lady – special events like state dinners or fun events like the Easter Egg Roll. Basically, whatever landed on my desk.

How did UWM help you?

My experience and my courses all prepared me for that internship. However, just getting used to the pace in the East Wing was definitely a steep learning curve.

Could you describe a typical day, or wasn’t there one?

There is absolutely not a typical day in the White House. The first lady has a very small team and the amount of work that she does is incredible. Her team works very hard to make sure her initiatives are getting conveyed to the public.

Did you speak with the first lady frequently?

Well, my desk was right outside her working office, so I was able to see her at meetings frequently, as well as attend events that she would speak at. That was always the incredible thing, to see her go from preparing a speech in her office to actually delivering that speech in front of an audience.

What was your impression of her?

She’s very humble and full of enthusiasm. What you see in public is exactly the way she was in private. Being able to see her in her environment, I really gained much more respect for her. Just to see her and how she redefined that role for herself has really, really inspired me.

Were you able to have your family and friends visit?

My little sister [a 16-year-old student at Riverside University High School] came down on the weekend of the Easter Egg Roll. She had an amazing time. They really rolled out the red carpet for her. Coming from where we come from, that was very important to bring her out there, to show her that this is not just something I can do, but something that virtually anyone can do if they’re willing to work hard for it.

You came to UWM’s Urban Teacher World program when you were in high school. How did you get involved in that?

I actually did the program two years in a row. I remember coming here the first year and being just amazed at being able to live in a dorm and be on a college campus. I’m sure all the facilitators of the program remember me as well because I was not nearly the person I am today. I was a little rough around the edges. That experience definitely challenged me and inspired me. Being a first-generation college student, when it came to applying for schools, I was virtually on my own, but one thing I knew for sure was that I was going to apply to UWM.

What advice do you have for others who come from challenging backgrounds?

I guess my main message is that it’s possible. It’s all possible. In Milwaukee, we definitely have a lot of room for growth in terms of opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, if you seek out the help, there are places like UWM and local government offices that are willing to help.