Hartwick College Entrepreneurial Fellows Help Nonprofits and Agencies

Major: Biochemistry
BSEF Internship: Afghanistan Female Student Outreach (AFSO)

My Afghanistan Female Student Outreach (AFSO) internship has been an incredibly rewarding and educational experience. I had the privilege of contributing to AFSO’s mission of providing educational opportunities to female students in Afghanistan. Throughout my time with AFSO, I was involved in a variety of tasks, including donor management, fundraising, and teaching. Each of these responsibilities offered unique challenges and learning opportunities, which have significantly contributed to my professional and personal growth.

One of my primary responsibilities was managing and updating AFSO’s donor management system, Give Butter. I input new donor information, updated existing records, and ensured the accuracy of donation tracking. This role allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how donor management systems operate and the importance of maintaining accurate records for nonprofit organizations.

I was also actively involved in the preparations for AFSO’s fundraising event “Building the Bridge,” which took place on June 30th. Although I could not attend the event physically, I contributed to its success by creating a pledge card for potential donors and reaching out to media companies for advertisements and sponsorships. While the outreach efforts had mixed results, the event itself was a success, raising over $50,000 towards the $100,000 goal. This experience taught me valuable lessons in communication, persistence, and the importance of storytelling in fundraising.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my internship was teaching an intermediate English class to AFSO students. Preparing for and delivering these lessons was both challenging and rewarding. I was struck by the students’ eagerness to learn despite the difficult circumstances they face in Afghanistan. This experience not only improved my instructional skills but also deepened my appreciation for the importance of education as a tool for empowerment.

Managing multiple responsibilities remotely strengthened my organizational and time management skills. Additionally, I learned the importance of proactively seeking guidance when faced with challenges or uncertainties. Finally, I recognized the need to develop strong self-advocacy skills to ensure that my tasks align with my values and professional goals.

My internship with AFSO has been a transformative experience, providing me with valuable insights into the workings of a nonprofit organization, particularly in the context of global education and cross-cultural interactions. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to AFSO’s mission and to learn from such a dedicated team. As I move forward in my career, I will carry with me the lessons learned and the skills developed during this internship, and I am eager to continue supporting causes that align with my passion for education and social justice.

Majors: Biology and Psychology
BSEF Internship: U.S. Center for Mental Health and Sport

This summer, I had the opportunity to work with the U.S. Center for Mental Health and Sport as a summer intern. The US Center for Mental Health and Sport is a national nonprofit that is focused on developing sport environments that allow for optimum mental wellness by providing mental health training, resources, access to additional mental health support services, and committing to the advancement of mental health and sport research. Their training educates on the signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge and/or crisis, how to de-escalate a situation to avoid harm to oneself or others, and what pathways are available for additional professional support.

During this internship I had several different responsibilities, such as social media management, creating training takeaway brochures, working with the Athlete Ambassador program members, prospecting partnership outreach, and piloting their first fundraising event- a virtual silent auction. Through outreach and marketing materials I helped create, we were able to secure donation items for the silent auction from the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Washington Nationals, and additional companies. We are very grateful for all the donations we have received so far!

Through this internship, I have learned so much about the everyday operations of a nonprofit organization and have developed stronger interpersonal skills, completed extensive research, and gained experience in how to market the organization on social media platforms in a way that is engaging and eye catching to potential followers. Not only did I learn about the inner workings of a nonprofit, but overall the work I completed helped continue a critical mission and ultimately helped to save the lives of individuals in the sport community. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.

Majors: Biology and Psychology
BSEF Internship: YMCA of Greater Boston

Over the summer I had the opportunity to intern at the YMCA of Greater Boston. During my 10 weeks in Boston, I was able to work closely with my supervisor and Vice President of Child Development, Seth Lucas ’10, to learn about the YMCA of Greater Boston’s local newcomer initiatives and day camp counselor dynamics.

Families coming into the United States face overwhelming adversity. The journey to find a new home, in most cases, is fueled by the need to leave less ideal circumstances (e.g., violence, political unrest, and economic turmoil). Rising intake of newcomers is putting growing stress on national, and especially local, infrastructure. Despite this, cities and institutions are stepping up to aid newcomers. The goal is to support new arrivals until they are able to thrive on their own.

My work with the YMCA of Greater Boston and their newcomer initiatives was compiled into a final YMCA-newcomer report that will serve as an internal YMCA tool to keep track of the newcomer situation and as a resource for the YMCA’s communications team.

I have used my time in Boston to do more than my work with the YMCA. I have immersed myself in current events, academic literature, and educational books. My internship gave me greater perspective on immigration/migrant, youth mental health, and social-emotional support. My holistic experience has pushed me in the direction of wanting to pursue a PhD/MD program after obtaining my bachelors.

My time at the Y and my other Boston pursuits has made me realize that I want to do more than practice psychiatry on individuals, I also want to push the bounds of collective human knowledge. What did I enjoy most about my internship? Gaining insight on migrants and mental health, and living in Boston!

Majors: Psychology and Public Health
BSEF Internship: United Community and Family Services (UCFS)

This summer I worked for a Connecticut community health center called United Community and Family Services (UCFS). With the motto “Your Health, Our Mission,” UCFS promotes its services to underserved communities including those dealing with behavioral and drug addictions, those whose primary language isn’t English, and the elderly population. UCFS ensures that all aspects of their patients’ health are maintained.

At the beginning of my experience, I attended a meeting with a food share company where they discussed food insecurity in Norwich CT and mentioned the hierarchy of needs. Through my work with USCS I became aware that to be at the place where people are open and ready to improve their health, their other more basic needs must first be fulfilled. As such, part of my internship was assisting with UCFS supplemental programs that provided donated clothes, free food bags, and hygiene care for LGBTQ+ youth and adults.

Another part of my internship was working with the head of DEIB to research different cultures and learn about the customs, norms, and barriers of our clients. I struck by how diverse the town of Norwich is and also the impact that the hierarchy of needs has on health.

My summer as a Baker-Simpson Fellow was very fulfilling and allowed me to see the paths I can take with my two majors. Through my position, I learned about the various programs that community-based health centers can offer and was able to shadow a variety of different programs. As I continue my Public Health degree, I will be more aware of the social determinants of health and how basic needs must be filled and met. My professional goals haven’t changed, but they are now becoming more linear and concrete. I came into this position with an open mind and now I know that while job searching, I want to find a job that is a mix of administrative work and community work.

Major & Minor: Public Health, Psychology
BSEF Internship: Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Land Services

This summer, I worked with on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Land Services team to enforce the compliance of environmental laws through a permit program. This permit program was referred to as a “Permit by Rule” (PBR) and was used to ensure compliance with the DEP’s Chapter 305 of the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA).

Working as a PBR permit reviewer has allowed me to contribute in a very direct way to upholding Maine DEP’s mission to protect the natural beauty of Maine. When I reviewed and denied a project that would otherwise lead to destructive erosion on a beach or damage an ecosystem, I was helping to enforce the laws that keep Maine’s environment healthy. As I corresponded with applicants and explained why a given project was not allowed, I was instilling the Maine DEP’s values and goals in the minds of Maine citizens.

My job in enforcement also played an important role in ensuring that the health of the Maine environment supports the health of Maine citizens. Through my summer experience, I have come to better appreciate the many ways our behaviors impact the health of the environment and therefore our own health and that of our families and how enforcement of environmental protection laws positively impacts our health and future. This internship has shown me a new side of environmental protection that will continue to influence how I interact with the world on a daily basis.