Sang Kim developed skills in communication and fundraising as an advocate for global poverty relief policies with The Borgen Project.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose to intern with the Borgen Project to gain experience in the nonprofit sector. Working in a nonprofit after studying Applied Humanities seemed like a natural progression. The organization's mission of alleviating global poverty through political advocacy resonated with me. Additionally, the flexible remote work option and the opportunity to earn credit made the Nonprofit Leadership internship position very appealing.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
Throughout the internship, I regularly contacted my congressional leaders, advocating for bills like the MINDS Act, End Tuberculosis Now Act, and the READ Act. I also organized a "swarm" by recruiting others to participate in the political process and contact their elected leaders in Congress. Other responsibilities included promoting the Borgen Project through social media campaigns. I also gained insights into nonprofit operations, including fundraising, recruiting, and posting ads on job boards.
What did you find challenging about your internship?
Fundraising proved the most challenging aspect. Perhaps, it’s because of my high-context culture, I do not like asking others for money. Despite initial discomfort, I reflected on my hesitations and realized that I was just overthinking everything. After sending out donation letters, I discovered asking for donations and money wasn’t difficult at all!
What is unique about your situation that influenced your internship selection or experience?
The unique aspect of the internship was its remote nature. This flexibility allowed me to balance work and family responsibilities, such as dropping off and picking up my kids from school. That said, I had to be extra diligent about managing and completing tasks independently.
How did your Applied Humanities major coursework help prepare you for the internship experience?
My Applied Humanities major coursework proved invaluable during the internship. One task involved conducting a research project. I decided to set up a qualitative study of people's sentiments about donating money to nonprofits. Drawing on lessons from my Applied Humanities coursework, I successfully executed the study, surveying 95 respondents on Survey Monkey to inform our outreach strategy.
What advice do you have for other students as they begin their internship?
Embrace challenges outside your comfort zone. Often, what seems daunting at first turns out to be less difficult than anticipated once you take the initiative and just do it.