There is no doubt in my mind that the Cleveland Foundation’s summer internship will be and will continue to be a success when it comes to professional development, networking, and working outside of one’s comfort zone. The program’s “special sauce,” which is composed of a nurturing environment where “you can’t fail” and “if you’re looking for [Nelson] to say no to an idea or project, he won’t,” is exactly the kind of support new and upcoming college graduates need when going into the workforce.

On the first day of the internship, we met a number of wonderful staff members who provided access to advice if we would like to meet with them outside of the organization. The love continued as we learned that each Wednesday at the professional development seminars we would have an hour relegated to asking any questions, reflections on our experiences or making any comments and observations about our host sites in a safe space. All of the ingredients mentioned are already conducive to great questions being asked and a greater understanding of the sector as a whole. I am sure other benefits will soon materialize.

The staff members at the Trust for Public Land (TPL), which is my host site, are wonderfully accessible as they assist me with the know-how and clarification I need when working on a project. I genuinely look forward to basking in the foundation and TPL’s “special sauce” of accessibility this summer.

Each week we use this space to give each of our interns a chance to reflect on their internship experiences. Fouad is a graduate student at Cleveland State University. Placement: Trust for Public Land