Author: Zhiping Chen
Learning the Importance of Deadlines and Communication
About the Organization
Photo by spectrio.com
For this semester, I am pursuing an internship with non-profit organization dedicated to assisting underserved local communities and promoting social equity by providing essential resources and support to those in need. Unity for Equality works to ensure fair opportunities for all communities by focusing on education, advocacy, and community involvement to help people overcome challenges. The organization brings together diverse groups to create lasting change and promote social justice and inclusion. By amplifying voices that are often overlooked, non-profit organization aims for a future where everyone can succeed.
The organization is a medium-sized enterprise with over 70 employees, including its CEO and presidents in various countries such as Egypt, Bangladesh and Morocco, as well as other members of the leadership team. In addition to these roles, there are also directors, supervisors, and interns like me who work across different departments, including Communication & Marketing, Human Resources, Community Relations, Strategic Engagement, and Finance. I am currently working in the Communication & Marketing department, focusing on graphic design and creating social media posts etc.
How I’m Fulfilling My Responsibilities as an Intern and Design student
Photo by internships.co.nz
Working as a part-time intern, there are many tasks and responsibilities to manage, especially when handling multiple projects. Throughout my internship, Iāve been responsible for communicating with my supervisors to understand their directions and requirements, ensuring that each project meets expectations. Since my internship is fully remote, I find it more flexible compared to in-person work. However, balancing remote work with my responsibilities as a college studentāsuch as attending classes, completing homework, projects, and testsācan be challenging. To stay on top of tasks, I rely on regular check-ins via email, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Planner.
As a design student, this internship has been incredibly valuable in fulfilling the requirements of my studies while significantly improving my communication skills. It has also greatly enhanced my design skills, allowing me to apply what I’ve learned in class to real-world projects.
My View on Remote Work
Photo by workingmums.co.uk
In my remote work experience, most of the time, there arenāt Zoom meetings, and I donāt see the faces of my supervisor or coworkers outside of occasional Zoom calls. We mainly communicate through Microsoft Teams or Microsoft Planner for feedback and questions. During this experience, I haven’t had the chance to see my team’s or supervisorās faces or attire in person; I can only view their profile pictures on the organizationās website. I assume that professionals like my supervisor and the CEO dress formally or wear professional attire. As for me, I dress comfortably in my home clothes while working remotely.
Balancing remote work with full-time studies is challenging. Managing time between internships and academic responsibilities requires strong time management skills. Additionally, working remotely deprives you of some in-person work experiences, like interacting with colleagues in an office environment. Most of the time, Iām at my desk at home, completing projects alone, which can feel isolating compared to the traditional office setting.
My First Internship
photo by inc.com
During the semester, I searched for an internship for the Fall 2024 semester. The process was very challenging, as I needed to find an internship on Handshake that would help me advance my focus in illustration or graphic design. Since finding an internship specifically in illustration proved difficult, I shifted my search to opportunities related to graphic design.
After extensive searching, I remembered a discussion from the first day of my internship class with Professor Stella. She asked if anyone didn’t have an internship and encouraged us to email our resumes and portfolios. This was a great opportunity for securing an internship.
However, I was officially fortunate to enter the onboarding process with a non-profit organization. I had the chance to speak with Mr. Trivedi and set everything up. In the end, it was a wonderful opportunity, and I secured my internship in the Communication and Marketing department, where I can apply my skills and contribute to meaningful projects that align with the organization’s.
About the Organization
https://www.spectrio.com/internal-communications/corporate-culture
For this semester, I am pursuing an internship with Unity for Equality, a public non-profit organization dedicated to assisting underserved local communities and promoting social equity by providing essential resources and support to those in need. Unity for Equality works to ensure fair opportunities for all communities by focusing on education, advocacy, and community involvement to help people overcome challenges. The organization brings together diverse groups to create lasting change and promote social justice and inclusion. By amplifying voices that are often overlooked, Unity for Equality aims for a future where everyone can succeed.
The organization is a medium-sized enterprise with over 70 employees, including its CEO and presidents in various countries such as Egypt and Morocco, as well as other members of the leadership team. In addition to these roles, there are also directors, supervisors, and interns like me who work across different departments, including Communication & Marketing, Human Resources, Community Relations, Strategic Engagement, and Finance. I am currently working in the Communication & Marketing department, focusing on graphic design and creating social media posts etc.
