BY TONY FONTANA

Gordon Wayne isn’t your average intern.

As a rising senior at Boston College (BC), Gordon discovered Hencove at a career fair and networking event put on by The Wily Network—an organization that partners with Boston-area students who are navigating college without a safety net. Although his academic and professional passion is law, Gordon’s appetite for learning is limitless, and he was determined to give marketing a go by dedicating his summer break to interning at Hencove.

One thing you must know about Gordon: no one can outwork him. And he’s quite convincing—a skill that will serve him well in his future endeavors.

He’ll be quick to tell you that his Hencove marketing internship was one of his fondest recent memories. When I take a step back and look at all Gordon has accomplished in the face of adversity, earning this internship seems like a walk in the park by comparison. Unhoused after high school, Gordon was applying to colleges out of his car and in between 10-hour shifts at a local amusement park. His dedication paid off by earning a full scholarship to BC.

Gordon decided he’d commemorate this triumph by taking on another personal challenge: a 16-day trek by foot from his hometown of Caroline County, VA to the BC campus in Newton, MA. In 2020, Gordon walked more than 500 miles to raise money for The National Alliance to End Homelessness, a cause close to his heart. His story was featured on ABC News and his efforts raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for The National Alliance to End Homelessness.

It's no surprise that he was up for the incomparable contest of interning at Hencove. And in true Gordon fashion, he’s been quite active since then, earning himself multiple acceptances to law schools around the country.

Before Gordon embarks on his next walk to end homelessness this summer—another 557 miles from VA to start his next academic chapter at the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Law—I caught up with him to reminisce about his Hencove experience and hear why he finds marketing to be essential in his life’s mission to end homelessness in America.

Tony: Gordon! How have you been? Tell us what you’ve been up to since you were an intern at Hencove last summer.

Gordon: I’ve stayed busy! Since my internship ended last August, I graduated from BC in the spring, took and passed my LSAT, and after applying to 49 different schools I’m on my way to the UGA School of Law. It was a tough deciding between so many great law schools, but in the end, I felt the most comfortable at UGA.  

I’ve also been active in the community, working with the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC) personally, and through BC’s Jenks Leadership Program (JLP). Our project focused on increasing access to technology for families who lived at a Family Aid shelter in Mattapan, specifically ESL services for Spanish-speaking families and their children. Outside of the JLP grant, I put my marketing skills to work at MFFC by supporting their email marketing and helping with their social media. Thanks, Hencove! I also volunteered with the BC Habitat for Humanity, which works closely with the Boston Habitat for Humanity, to help build houses in the Greater Boston region.

Tony: Your commitment to giving back is remarkable. When you look back a few years ago to the Wily Career Fair, what was it that inspired you to intern at a marketing agency? How did working at Hencove help you?

Gordon: I wanted the experience of knowing how to craft messages for different audiences. Additionally, I wanted to learn more about how I should communicate in a professional or office setting. There were so many “small” details I learned—in the marketing work and professionally—that have really stuck with me.

Then and now, I haven’t lost sight of the bigger picture. When I talk about ending homelessness in America, I realize it will require a wide range of skills and support from people in all walks of life. Marketing is an important piece to reach that end goal.

Beyond learning marketing fundamentals at Hencove, my experience taught me that there’s opportunities for improvement in whatever you’re working on. Hencove also showed me the kind of family atmosphere and culture I want in my future place of work. The Hencove team has humility and likes to have fun, but when work needs to get done, everyone gets down to business.

My time at Hencove proved that these things are important, and they don’t happen by accident. It really does start at the top. Daniel knows how to inspire those around him and be a compassionate leader.

Tony: Any other advice would you give to college students or young professionals looking for an internship?

Gordon: First, go to job fairs and put yourself out there. It will help you refine your interview skills which are really important. In those situations, try to relax, be yourself, and let your personality shine through. You’re not just looking for a job, you’re also looking to find a good fit for yourself. Don’t be shy about reaching out to the people you meet at job fairs. And while you’re on campus, talk to your career advisor who will have opportunities for you to take advantage of—all you have to do is ask!

Tony: Looking ahead a little bit, where do you see yourself in five years?

Gordon: In five years, I will have passed the Bar Exam and I’ll be on the next step in my journey to end homelessness. I’m going to focus on real estate with a public interest mindset; my intent is to use my skills, personal experience, and law degree to help grant power to the powerless. I could see myself living anywhere in the country because homelessness affects every community. In the end, I want to give others who are unhoused the opportunity that I’m so blessed to have right now.

Tony: I know all of us at Hencove feel lucky to have worked alongside you and can’t wait to see what you do next. Before we go, is there anything else you want to add from your perspective as a Hencove alum?

Gordon: Just gratitude. I’m so grateful for my time at Hencove and how it made me a better professional, student, and person. It’s really shown me the importance of having a team around me.

Tony: The feeling of gratitude is mutual—we’re fortunate you graced the halls of Hencove. You left a lasting impression here.

You can follow Gordon’s 557-mile expedition from Caroline County, VA to the UGA Campus on the National Alliance to End Homelessness’s YouTube channel and help support his efforts to end homelessness in America.