Author: Cui Zhang

My first task is to do general research based on Amazon Smile and Omaze. As I was doing more research, I noticed that Amazon Smile is going to shut down on Feb 20th (already shut). The program launched back in 2013 and has donated 377 million to charities in less than 1 decade, which to me is pretty insane. I wonder what will happen to the charities that are linked to amazon smile.

During my research, I notice that Amazon smile also said their “program has not grown to create the social impact we originally hoped”. So I’m guessing this is the reason why they closed down. They also said they will continue to invest in areas where it creates some sort of meaningful changes. They will be helping communities that are impacted by natural disasters, building affordable housing providing computer science education for students..etc.

Omaze is kinda similar to Amazon Smile. They also raise money for charity by giving people the opportunity to win life-changing prizes. They have prizes such as material goods, property, celebrity experiences..etc.

Date: 2/15 – 2/17/2023

This week, I just started doing my internship. My supervisor put me into the social media cluster. From what I’ve known, my job is to focus on the social media aspect, contacting non-profit organizations, creating communication campaigns…etc

He also shared with me many google drives. Those google drives had a lot of information whether or not it was banners, about my organization, works that people have done..etc.

As I was looking at google drive and found out what other volunteers were doing. I was fascinated at how other people can create such good designs whether it’s campaigns, logos, social posts..etc

Date: 2/10 – 2/11/2023

The organization I’m currently volunteering and working with is called Giving Forward. They are a nonprofit organization that helps other non-profit organizations help gain revenue through advertising and sponsorship against content. They also run events that help generate revenue so that they are able to donate about 50% or more to the nonprofits you (the consumer) and then content creators select.

This organization is by far amazing. Each and every one of their staff is not only professionals, but they are very patient with anyone, whether or not it’s their team, staff, clients, other organizations…etc.

 Learn more at https://www.givingforward.org/ or https://goodbuzz.org/

For me, finding an internship is the most difficult thing. Before this spring semester started, I have been been trying my hardest to find an internship. I barely have any experience in the design field and my level is pretty mid-low as a designer. In total, I have applied for almost 10+ internships on websites like indeed, LinkedIn..etc. However, that didn’t turn out as planned. I applied and waited for responses for almost 2 weeks. Turns out, none of these companies seems to have responded back to my application or to me. City Tech does provide many internships. I wasn’t into any of that since most of them require skilled students. After the spring semester started, I still wasn’t able to find any internship within 2 weeks of class. Luckily, at the end of the day with professor Nicolaou’s help, I was able to find an internship within 1 week. Thank you professor for helping me out.

Date: 1/2 – 1/24/2023