What aspects of your internship helped clarify your career goals?
I think what it mainly was, was the work environment and how much I love what the organization does for the community. They made it clear what I want to do, and take my writing skills and turn it into something that truly helps others. Was I get older and progress in my career, as much as I want to like what I'm doing for work, I see what it means to be excited to go everyday because it also feels fulfilling helping the kids and the parents with having a free afterschool program. So my main career goal is to love what I'm doing while helping others as much as I can in whatever I end up doing.
What’s next for you professionally, and what actions will you take?
Thats a loaded question truly, to be completely honest especially since I would love to stay with Next Step to Success if its an option! I love everything they do there and enjoy my job so much, thats why I'm continuing into the fall semester. If thats not a possibility, I would defiantly consider still doing grant writing but also government work as well!
How did this internship deepen your understanding of your major as a humanities student?
It's deepened my understanding by showing me how the skills I learn in my classes that can be applied to real-world situations like my internships. With grant writing and researching I used communication, organization, research, and critical-thinking skills to help Next Step to Success communicate its mission and funding needs. The experience showed me that professional writing is more than creating documents but it can also be used to advocate for organizations, secure resources, and make a positive impact in the community.
How well did your coursework prepare you for the internship?
My coursework prepared me well for this internship by giving me a strong foundation in my writing, research, communication, leadership, and organization. Classes in Professional Writing specifically taught me how to write for different audiences and communicate information clearly, which I was able to apply directly to grant writing and research. The internship at NSTS allowed me to take those classroom skills and use them in a professional setting.
What advice would you offer a future intern working at this site?
I would definitely say to be prepared to be more than just an office intern, you're also helping around with the kids giving an extra hand when they need it considering you're working at an afterschool and summer program for teens. Although it's really important, I think that preparing yourself to be sitting in with the kids for a week or two for you to fully understand what you're working for and what their mission is beyond just words but it in action daily.
How did the workplace environment or organizational culture shape your internship experience? Provide an example.
The culture and vide of the organization 100% shaped the experience, so much that I started the fall semester part of still working with them on the 17th. Everyone there is super sweet, funny, and all very communitive which I think helps a lot everyone there is someone I can connect with on one thing or another. They also always invite or ask me if I want to join them on things, not making it feel like I'm just another intern doing one specific job. Whenever there's an activity or field trip for the day, there hasn't been one time when they haven't asked me if I wanted to go and join in. Along with being supper relax and understanding about the situation of my husband getting out of the military and going reserves stationed up north, and being very flexible with some days I may need to be remote. I think what helped me a lot was that when I came to the office first day it was like we all clicked really fast, and that has carried over into now and still having that kind of environment that someone would always want to be apart of.
Comparing to my first internship at Riverside Health People Ops:
My Professional Writing education with ODU and my internships have taught me how to communicate effectively; my Riverside experience introduced me to professional communication and leadership, while Next Step to Success internship helped me to apply all of my skills to grant writing, fundraising, and nonprofit development. My first internship focused more on professional communication, leadership, and creating materials for an organization, while my internship at Next Step to Success focused more on grant writing, research, fundraising, and community impact. Both experiences helped me strengthen my writing, communication, organization, and teamwork skills. However, my second internship gave me more direct experience with professional writing and showed me how my skills can be used to support nonprofit organizations and future career goals.