Not very many people can say that they have gotten the opportunity to follow their passion in the real world of jobs and working. I can personally say right now, *knock on wood* that I have been given that opportunity. You are reading the words of a finally employed working girl! It took me five months from graduation day, but I finally am working-as an intern!
After countless applications, a few interviews, and a LOT of waiting, I was asked to work as an intern at the headquarters office of a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C. Needless to say, I was ecstatic. You see, I graduated with a Business major but was able to explore my passion for community service and non-profit work while I was in college. It wasn't the typical service trip or volunteering at random events. My freshman year I began volunteering as a tutor at a family life center, helping underprivileged school-aged children with their homework after school. This led to a promotion as head volunteer, then being on staff for the community service club organizing the tutoring and various other community service programs and events, then eventually leading the organization my senior year. By the end of my college career, I knew non-profit work was for me.
You may be thinking, an internship? That's what she's going on about? I can attest firsthand to the difficulty of obtaining an entry-level full-time salaried job right out of college in this day and age. Many of my friends are interning, and I firmly believe you can't get anywhere unless you start from the bottom. But anyway...
Non-profit work is for me. I have enjoyed helping people ever since I can remember and with every NPO I applied to, I made sure their cause was one with which I aligned myself. Funny enough, when I applied to this internship, I wrote a passionate and heartfelt cover letter about the cause. Never before in my job search had I been so genuine in my cover letter. (Guess that paid off :) ) The NPO I work for strives to end childhood hunger in America. Hunger has been my "cause" since I became passionate about humanitarianism back in my younger years. I personally have never struggled with hunger, but the plight has been one with which I am able to sympathize. Many people take food and the nutrients that come with it for granted. For most, hunger is the absence of food for a few hours. For some, hunger is the inability to get proper nutrients, a hot dinner, a proper meal, etc. This inability for latter folk is often covert and many are not aware of how a large group of people go hungry in our country (and world, of course.)
Food is a very basic right we take for granted. It is so essential to our existence yet many are hungry in this country. How is that possible, when there is so much food consumption and waste! My interest in this cause is what has made me excited for my internship. No matter what I do during my work days, I know the effort I put in will be helping the organization get one step closer to ending childhood hunger in America. But fast forward to today, as I reflect back on my first week at SNPO (let's call my work place that-Shay's Non Profit Organization.)
I love it! From the commute to the people to the location, I am enjoying it. Everybody is so wonderfully pleasant and friendly and working in D.C. has quite an advantage, especially since I am at the Headquarters office. My favorite part though, is something minor. I attend a lot of meetings (apparently that's what it's all about-meetings, conference calls, and more meetings!) and in them we discuss various things. But I leave realizing, "wow, we meet to discuss the progress the organization is making towards ending childhood hunger in America." It's a stark contrast to what I've learned as a Business student. In for-profit organizations, the goal is to make a bottom line and maximize profits for clients. To be reminded that this wonderful group of people come to work every day to help end childhood hunger in the country they live in makes me feel like I chose the right passion and sector to explore. :)
So, there's the first week in a nutshell. Lots of smiles and getting accustomed to a new schedule. I'm signing off now to enjoy the rest of my weekend, but check back later on an update! Until next time :)
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