11/15/2017
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As a Junior in college, I realized that my resume was not as strong as it needed to be. If I truly wanted to find a job after college, I needed more than a resume with only restaurant experience. I needed a resume with a job where my college degree would apply. After a few short months of trying to find a job that related to marketing, I realized it was not going to be easy. Then, I started focusing my time on finding an internship. I did not have the necessary experience I wanted for a job in my field, so I needed to be practical if I wanted to gain such experience. After a short search, I discovered an internship with a local nonprofit. Instantly, I knew that was the internship for me. After getting in contact with the Outreach Manager, I quickly became their Marketing and Communications Intern for Summer that year.
During this time, I learned so many things. I learned the importance of social media. I learned how community relations is important if the NPO wants to continue serving the community. I used multiple marketing sites (including Constant Contact) to help reach the people within the community. Most importantly, I learned that my heart is in nonprofits, and that making a significant contribution to the world is more important to me than anything.
As my internship was ending, a small part-time job was opening up with the NPO. I knew I would have to give up my full-time job with paid vacations but that did not matter in the end. I wanted nothing more than to continuing being a part of this organization. After a short meeting with some of the staff, I was given the position. I started as a paid employee right before classes started for the fall semester.
My Client and Donor Support job was the most important aspect of my life. Every day, when I would come to work, I would imagine how humbling and rewarding every minute of it was. Even if most of those minutes were spent typing data into a computer and then running reports to make sure nothing was messed up in the end.
I learned about time management, hard work, compassion, and most importantly, team work. With a total employee count of eight, we had to work as a team. I learned to be thankful for the Volunteers who selflessly give their time to help this Organization serve the community in need. In class, I realized I could get so much more done and still be able to do what I wanted by managing my time. I did better that semester than the previous semester in terms of turning things in before they were due. Instead of sleeping through my hour and a half break between classes, I would work on homework and get it done so I could do something fun when I got out class.
Hard work was definitely a lesson I needed to learn. I had always been a hard worker; hard work was something I thought I knew about. I worked three jobs and attended classes for almost an entire semester. One semester seemed like such a short amount of time. But for me, though, it felt like an entire lifetime. I did nothing but work and homework and part of me was really unhappy. I learned how to balance hard work with having time away from everything. As I started taking real breaks during work and during homework. My stress levels decreased significantly and I started loving school and work again.
If I had the chance to go back and change my decision to work for this Organization, I would never do it. The people I have met and lessons I have learned make everything worthwhile. My job is so much more than a paycheck; it's a step closer to my dream career. All of the hard work is not going to be easy, but it will be worth it.
Source: Ezinearticles
© 2017 Miranda L. MelvinThe views and opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect those of College Central Network, Inc. or its affiliates. Reference to any company, organization, product, or service does not constitute endorsement by College Central Network, Inc., its affiliates or associated companies. The information provided is not intended to replace the advice or guidance of your legal, financial, or medical professional.