Our #SummerOfPurpose blog series follows this year’s Cleveland Foundation Summer Interns as they spend 11 weeks working with Cleveland-area nonprofit and public sector organizations. In today’s blog we hear from Cameron Rolland, who is working with Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP), where he plays a key role in facilitating event planning for NFP’s annual signature event, engaging with donors and assisting with community outreach/engagement activities.

How did you first hear about the Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program?

I first heard about the Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program via an email blast that was sent out by a Cleveland Foundation employee. I received this email because I am the recipient of two scholarships from the Cleveland Foundation.

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

I decided to apply for the internship after viewing the list of host sites that interns would be paired with. As soon as I saw Neighborhood Family Practice and did some research on the organization, I knew that I wanted to work for them. Their mission, in part, to provide high-quality affordable care regardless of ability to pay is essentially the mirror image of my career objective, which is to open my own community health center that provides high-quality, affordable care primarily to low-income and underserved populations.   

What has been the most valuable aspect of your internship experience?

The most valuable aspect of my internship experience thus far is the independence that I have at my host site. I’m able to take lead on several projects without being micromanaged by my supervisor. This makes me feel like an actual employee, as opposed to someone who is only there to work for the summer.

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing around Cleveland?

When I’m not working, I enjoy working out at Planet Fitness, exploring different restaurants in the Cleveland area, attending Wade Oval Wednesdays and going to Edgewater Beach.

What are your career goals after college?

After I acquire my Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management & Policy from Georgetown University, I plan on matriculating to a graduate program to earn either my Master’s in Health Administration or Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in health care management. I hope to gain an administrative fellowship after earning my master’s degree, and ultimately assume a leadership position within a hospital or community health center. I plan to leverage that leadership experience into ultimately founding and operating my own community health center.

What’s your favorite public space in Cleveland?  

My favorite public place in Cleveland is The Flats. I love the lake, as well as all the restaurants and activities to choose from.

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

I would advise anyone who is applying for the Cleveland Foundation internship to edit his or her essay more than once before submitting, try to include something that makes you stand out while writing your essay, do background research on the organizations that you are interested in working for, prepare for your interviews by developing answers in your mind to commonly asked questions, and make sure you ask questions while interviewing to demonstrate that you’re interested!