Our #SummerOfPurpose blog series follows this year’s Cleveland Foundation Summer Interns as they reflect on 11 weeks spent working with Cleveland-area nonprofit and public sector organizations. In today’s blog, we hear from Kimberly Rodríguez Arroyo, who spent her summer at College Now Greater Cleveland working with their resource development department.

Why did you initially decide to participate in this internship program?

During my summer internship search, I discovered the listing for this program on Handshake and decided to conduct further research. To my surprise, the program aligned with my interests and even more once I noticed that I could have the opportunity to work with organizations that I have known and benefited from growing up in the Cleveland Clark/Fulton area. I was already familiar with the type of work the Cleveland Foundation did and I instantly knew that I needed to apply to further expand my knowledge about nonprofit organizations and gain an understanding of what I possibly want to do after college. This internship has solidified my decision to continue pursuing nonprofit work, with the goal of inspiring communities of diverse backgrounds and leaving a lasting impact.

What was the most valuable aspect of your internship experience?

Everything about my internship experience has been valuable. As a student who benefited so much from College Now’s programming in high school and now as a Say Yes Scholar, being able to learn from an organization that means so much to me has been the best experience I could have asked for this summer. Learning the importance of grants, keeping connections, making records of alumni, donors/gifts, mentors and even community members that believe in this organization has been very valuable. This is information that I didn’t know was such a crucial part for a nonprofit. As someone who has mainly worked on the community engagement side of nonprofits, working with the development department this summer was very insightful and I gained a new perspective on this type of work.

What was the most challenging aspect of your internship experience?

A challenging aspect was getting used to the office workspace and understanding the overall environmental dynamics. I hadn’t really been exposed to an office workspace quite yet, so it was something I needed to get the hang of. Additionally, a lot of the work that I did throughout the internship needed to be done a certain way and required learning the Raiser’s Edge software which I was not familiar with at the start. Although at first it was difficult to manage and I found myself making a few mistakes, I felt emboldened to ask the right questions and now I feel pretty comfortable using their system.

How did this internship helped you grow professionally & personally?

This internship helped me grow professionally because I got a taste of what an office culture is like and how much teamwork and individualized work is crucial for the success of the organization. Being able to work as a team will get things off the ground, but really putting in that individual effort, keeping records of donors, alumni, and mentors, is really important for an organization like College Now. Additionally, the internship has made me even more curious about how other nonprofits work and how I can be involved in different ways if I am not working directly with one. Due to this experience, I have found myself reaching out to community members who have an interest in this work and just asking questions to orient myself for the future. I feel like I have a clearer understanding of the path I want to take and the work I have to put in to reach my goals. In regards to my personal growth, I was able to connect with so many people throughout the internship and I created friendships along the way which is so meaningful to me. I learned about their passions and goals in life and was able to connect with them in a more personal way so I hope to continue these relationships with them in the future!

Where would you take a friend who is visiting Cleveland for the first time?

If I had a friend visiting Cleveland for the very first time I would invite them to explore our amazing culinary scene. I am fortunate to live in a city where I can eat foods from my culture and in addition, also try and learn about other cultures’ food. There is so much variety ranging from Puerto Rican to Salvadoran and, of course, soul food. So many amazing small businesses around the city to support, with amazing stories of their beginnings here in Cleveland that it is something you can’t pass up!

What advice would you give to someone considering applying for the Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program?

Embrace your authenticity. Ultimately, that is what sets you apart from everyone else on Earth. Yes, Earth. When you bring your true self to the table, you are setting yourself up to present the best version of who you are. That, of course, undoubtedly requires self-reflection, but the rewards are beyond fruitful. This summer internship program invites self-improvement and a willingness to grow both professionally, but most importantly, personally. Therefore, an essential exercise is to unlock your inner strengths and tackle weaknesses fearlessly. Let curiosity guide you. Your desire to learn will overpower countless obstacles and, in the end, the reward will be the result of an enriching, unique learning experience.

Learn more about spending a #SummerOfPurpose as a Cleveland Foundation intern.