In today’s world, finding a job out of college is a hard job in itself. College tries to prepare you by teaching you the skills and knowledge you will need but it is not enough. The job world wants more than the fact that you earned a four year degree, they want you to have had experience in the field of study.
In order to get this experience many college students seek an internship that can show potential employers that they can apply their knowledge. Experience is the key to finding a job. As a sophomore starting my spring semester I knew the sooner I started looking for internships the better. Online I found an opening and had an interview with the communication/marketing team at the non-profit organization, United Way of the Greater Triangle.
I landed the internship and started at the beginning of March. It is now the end of July and my internship is coming to a close. Through this internship I have gained experience and applied my knowledge and writing skills.
I now agree with the employers who say you must have job experience because I have found that I have learned so much that I would not have learned in a classroom. I was able to practice my writing skills, and dip my toes into the non-profit world. What was most rewarding was getting job experience while also getting to make a difference in other’s lives. I was able to get donations for hygiene kits that would go to a thousand homeless men and women in the triangle. I was getting the experience of giving back to the community.
What I have learned with United Way will stay with me in my future journey. When I thought of getting an internship I expected to learn and gain experience but didn’t expect to gain so much more. During my time at United Way, I was part of a team, helped others, and raised awareness on poverty. I truly have had the rewarding experience with this internship.
Amanda was a fantastic intern from North Carolina State University. We will truly miss her and we thank her for all the hard work she put in to make so many events a success as well as for the great writing she did for us. We wish Amanda well in her future endeavors.