Friday, June 20, 2014

What's in it for the community?

What makes the focus of your particular internship so distinctively unique from others is that emphasis is being placed on the community. Fellow interns, I ask you to look at your community, reflect, and then share on how you are serving your community through this program. Below I have listed a few questions regarding my internship at Girls Inc. of Long Island. Use this as your guide to outlining how you can put your service to the community into action during Community Fellows Program internship.
How does your work impact your community?

Collaborating efforts with the Girls Inc. LI Program Coordinator, we are meeting the specific needs and circumstances of girls between the ages 5 and 18. We are primarily serving girls in low socioeconomic communities in Suffolk County.
What experiences, knowledge or expertise can you offer to benefit the community you are serving?

Being that I am currently studying to become a teacher in Childhood Education, I found that developing program curriculum, such as Community Development for girls at Wyandanch, was akin to lesson planning for a classroom. I was able to use the transferable skill of brainstorming lesson plan topics for lessons to help contribute useful and engaging ideas for program development themes such as STEAM (an activity that incorporates Science Technology Engineering Art and/or Math). My hope is that these programs will equip girls with the knowledge and inspiration to make a change, starting in their own backyards.
Ask yourself during this internship not "What's in it for me?" but rather "What's in it for the community?" Once you maintain this mindset, you're in great shape to make a change for good this summer.

Reminders:
Don't forget to tag @HIREaPANTHER and use #communityfellows for Instagram and Twitter posts and comments.
You can also nominate yourself and send it via the CFP email for a chance to win Community Fellow of the Week!


Questions, comments, concerns? Email a CFP liaison at communityfellows@adelphi.edu

Friday, June 13, 2014

Into the Swing of Things!

Well folks, it's time...time to get into the swing of things! Whether you are just starting your internship or are well into your first, second, maybe even third week, please keep sharing your Community Fellows journey on Adelphi Center for Career Develpment's social media outlets: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Don't forget to use the @HIREaPANTHER for Instagram and Twitter comments, using the #communityfellows.
Here are some talking points that you may want to explore while posting, tweeting, or simply writing up your weekly CFP reflection:

1. How can I give other interns and the professional world a glimpse at what I am currently doing at my nonprofit through a simple photo or a tweet?

2.What are some of my hopes and goals that I would like to see fulfilled during or after my intership?

3.Are there any current events that coincide with an issue my NPO is trying to address? What positive feedback can I provide on this to make others aware?

4. What words of inspiration can I impart on others in moving towards a change that promotes my NPO's cause?

Simply put, let your posts, photos, and tweets do the talking about how your Community Fellows journey is thus far. If things are or aren't going as you have planned, be sure to contact a CFP liason at the Career Center at communityfellows@adelphi.edu. Let them know where you are and where you want to be; they have valuable support and advice to offer. Whatever life brings, get into the swing of things!


Reminder: You can also nominate yourself and send it via the CFP email for a chance to win Community Fellow of the Week!

Monday, June 9, 2014

First Impressions!

First impressions often speak volumes to a person's character as well as what type of worker they are. For us CFP interns, it can be nerve-wracking to even think of giving off a bad impression to our employers. Thus, we remain steadfast in showing them our best work ethic and professional behavior. Yet on the other hand, we are also forming our own first impressions of our nonprofit organizations. It is these initial impressions that I encourage you all to share amongst each other using the Center for Career Development's various social media sites. Haven't started yet? No sweat! You can get connected today!

Facebook
Be sure to like the Adelphi Center for Career Development's Facebook page and feel free to post any positive comments you have regarding your internship journey. Keep your posts relevant to your CFP experience so that others are encouraged to share their internship experiences as well!

Twitter
I personally created my own twitter account so that I could be further connected with my NPO, Girls Inc. of Long Island. Compose tweets using the #communityfellows and follow tweets@HIREaPANTHER to stay in the loop with whatever is trending that is pertinent to your CFP internship. (**Tip: this is also a great way to network for and promote your NPO to various groups and individuals)!

Instagram 
Make use of this social media portal by posting your "on-the-job" photos, using the@HIREaPANTHER handle. Again, keep these picture appropriate and professional, but you can certainly have fun with posting them!  

LinkedIn
Last, but certainly not least, update your LinkedIN profile. Keeping your profile abreast with new job descriptions and current place of employment demonstrates that you are maintaing an active presence in the professional social media sphere.
Never underestimate the importance of first impressions and how we can leverage social media's accessibility to our advantage. Let us fully live up to our title as Community FellowInterns, by supporting each other and sharing our experiences with the world. Go get 'em!


Reminder: You can also nominate yourself and send it via the CFP email for a chance to win Community Fellow of the Week!