Hello everyone!
This past week marked the beginning of my summer internship at Citizens Against Sex Trafficking (C.A.S.T.), and it has already been one of the most eye-opening experiences I have had. I live in a small house in Minnesota, within driving distance of my workplace. In my free time, I have been reading, walking around the lake that is close by, and getting coffee!
My first week at C.A.S.T. included my orientation, creating a spreadsheet, inputting data, and thinking about what type of research project I wanted to do throughout this summer. My orientation consisted of meeting with my boss to discuss what I would be doing this summer and meeting the rest of the C.A.S.T. team.
Throughout this first week, I created a spreadsheet to upload data with various columns. This spreadsheet helps track data and numbers that will be used for grant writing, as the company is a nonprofit. I didn’t expect to be creating spreadsheets and inputting lots of data, but I have found it somewhat satisfying. It has given me some perspective on the “less glorious” aspects of prevention work and growing a business. The system I created records dates, program types, number of people reached per program, and more.
I attended and participated in a thank-you-card writing session for people who participated in C.A.S.T.’s recent golf fundraiser. The fundraiser raised money so that C.A.S.T. can continue to grow in their prevention work. The money that was raised will help hire more people, further programs of prevention, and grow the business. It was a nice introduction to working with the rest of the C.A.S.T. team and a good opportunity to build relationships in the nonprofit sector.
This first week already has me thinking more seriously about nonprofit work and the realities of advocacy on the inside. I’m learning that everything connects to a bigger picture; there is no such thing as just admin work–everything connects and is important. This internship is helping me realize that I could have a future in nonprofit work. I am planning on going to law school after I graduate. However, this internship is making me consider if I could use my law degree to work with nonprofit organizations. I am very interested in doing something with advocacy or helping further legal protections for people to make change. I am starting to think that I can help nonprofits in some way with a law degree.
So far this internship is challenging me to see how every task, no matter how small, contributes to something bigger. I’m learning that I care a lot about working in an environment that has values, works collaboratively, and is driven. This internship is also helping me consider what I want to do professionally in the future and the type of work that I want to be a part of.