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 Anna Bauer, who spent her summer working at Burten, Bell, Carr Development doing property research and supporting their community work.

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

I’m interested in nonprofit and local government work, which is what the program is all about! I also took a class at school with one of last year’s interns – actually at the same host site – and she really loved her experience. She recommended it to me because we have similar career interests.

What was the most valuable aspect of your internship experience?

I’ve learned so much and met so many amazing and inspiring people! It’s also been really important to me that I’ve gone out of the office and into the neighborhoods we work in, and that I’ve gotten to talk to residents directly. I’m so grateful for the people I’ve worked with throughout the summer for including me and trusting me, and for granting me the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.

What was the most challenging aspect of your internship experience?

It’s been challenging to adapt to the ebb and flow of the workload, and to remind myself to ask for opportunities instead of only waiting for them to be offered to me. Another challenge – one that I’m very much still working on – is grappling with the fact that no one person or group has the capacity to give every person all the help they need, and while I want to help everyone with everything (and can certainly try), I am still one person.

How did this internship helped you grow professionally & personally?

I’ve learned so much about the community development field and about Cleveland. It’s been an incredible opportunity to get to work in a field I’m interested in and learn about what the actual day-to-day looks like. And it’s been a huge accomplishment – at the beginning of the summer when I asked if I could assist with the home repair program, I never expected to be running it at the end. I’m really proud of the work I’ve done and how it’ll help BBC and their communities going forward.

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

I would take a friend on the RTA since I use it all the time! But in terms of actual places, two of my favorite spots in Cleveland are Algebra Tea House and Upcycle Parts Shop. They’re both wonderful little artsy, eclectic spaces and there’s always something new to discover.

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

Be genuine and get excited about it! The program comes with so many opportunities, too, so take advantage of them. Talk to people, ask questions, make new friends and connections!

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