5 Reasons to Intern at Make-A-Wish®
Starting a new job can be intimidating. But any anxiety I had coming into my Summer 2018 internship at Make-A-Wish was quickly expelled on my first day. It only took a brief tour around the office to learn that people here love to laugh and do their jobs well.
If you’re looking for a workplace that leaves you feeling fulfilled, purposeful and happy, Make-A-Wish is it. There are many reasons I loved interning at the National Office in Phoenix, but I know you’re very busy, so I’ll keep it to my top five.
Here they are:
1. Friendships Form Quickly
From the Midwest to the East Coast, and Mechanical Engineering to Anthropology majors, Make-A-Wish interns come from all over the U.S. with a variety of interests and talents. Even though we worked together, our friendships were not confined to the office. Many of us were from out-of-state, so we loved experiencing everything Arizona has to offer together. We coordinated outings to concerts, movies, and day-trips to places such as Bartlett Lake, the Grand Canyon and Sedona.
2. You Do Real Work
Unlike some organizations where the interns make coffee and pick up dry-cleaning, Make-A-Wish interns have incredibly relevant and impactful work to do. For example, one of my projects was analyzed and used by the Make-A-Wish America Board of Directors to make fundraising decisions for the rest of the fiscal year. My fellow interns and I were how amazed by the amount of trust and autonomy we were given on important projects.
3. Networking Opportunities Come in Abundance
One of my first assigned tasks for my internship was to set up meetings with the five directors in my department. My supervisor was also happy to organize meetings for me with directors from any department that I found interesting. Every intern even had lunch with the President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America, David Williams. There are not many organizations out there where the leadership makes themselves so available to interns.
4. You are a Valued Asset to a Team
When you become an intern a Make-A-Wish, you’re not seen as an assistant or a temp. You are a full-time contributor and innovator along with everyone else on the team. Fresh eyes are an invaluable resource and interns are strongly encouraged to speak up and offer new ideas. These ideas are taken seriously and interns are often tasked with taking the lead on enacting changes they recommend.
5. You Serve a Joyful Mission-Based Organization
Work never feels like an arduous list of tasks at Make-A-Wish. Every day, interns are given a unique opportunity to show up and make a difference in the lives of a children with critical illnesses. For college juniors and seniors interested in a career in the nonprofit world, I cannot recommend Make-A-Wish enough! We all have the ability to transform a child and family’s life during some of their most difficult trials.
Want to know what it’s like to be an inspired employee at Make-A-Wish? Follow #WishNation for more Inspired People stories! And if you are interested in transforming lives through an internship, visit the Make-A-Wish career page here.