How I got my dream internship

Being a junior in college I figured it was time to get some real life experience in a field I wanted to get into. There are plenty of places to apply for internships but I'm someone who enjoys a challenge. At home I work at the Foglia YMCA. I have worked in the same department since I was 16, and thought it was time to branch out. The YMCA is not known for offering internships let alone paid internships but the YMCA is an organization known to help people. Not only have I worked there but also has my father and brother. My father works in a different department and knows more people than I do so I asked for his help. After e-mailing a couple of the department chairs along with having my father put in a good word I got in touch with the event planning director. A couple weeks later I got a phone call from the director asking what I was looking for. I told her I wanted an internship with a company that is already close to my heart and like a second home for me. I told her I wanted experience in planning some of the events we hold in the summer along with some advertising for the whole organization. Lastly I stated if this could not be done, I would at the very least be interested in shadowing one of the directors during these events. Once I told her what I was looking for she told me she would have to make some calls, talk to other directors and lastly talk to my current boss in my department for some references.

A week later I received a phone call from the director I had talked to a week prior. She told me that the staff would be delighted for me to join them. She then proceeded to tell me the work that I would be doing. This included helping with a big golf outing, the summer bash party, some advertising for the YMCA as a whole. And lastly I would be planning my own event that would be held at the end of the summer!

Though this whole process did not take as long as most internship processes do I am so proud of myself for taking a risk and asking an organization that did not really offer an opportunity like this. I feel that part of the reason I got this opportunity was because I have already worked at this organization for 4 1/2 years so I know what there mission is and I know what this organization stands for. I also know the kind of people they look for when hiring for a position. And lastly it really does pay to have connections. If I didn't have my father there I would have never gotten my current position that I have held for 4 1/2 years or my internship. Also if it was not for my current boss giving me a great review and reference I would not have gotten this internship.

It is true what they say, good things come to those who wait--and ask.

PCMA

PCMA is holding a walk for the kids of the Children's Advocacy Center. This event is being held Saturday morning and all the money donated goes to the children. This weekend is a big weekend for special events including celebration, so please join our walk and then head over for fun and games at celebration with your family. EVERY BIT HELPS

A day without shoes

Today was the day to go without shoes. Helping out Toms shoes a person goes a day without shoes to create awareness around the world of people who don't have shoes in other countries. Though I feel this is a creative way to create awareness to others, I wonder if it is the best way. Certainly it is cheap, and easy to participate for the average college student, but wouldn't a better idea be donating a pair of shoes yourself? Tom's shoes are expensive and not that well made, so are they sending their shoes to these countries? I just feel that if a company is going to donate shoes they should be made to wear long term. This is just my opinion and might be the opinion of others. But other than that small aspect, I love the creativity of this way to create awareness to others.