Rachel is a Nonprofit and NGO Studies major at Northern Illinois University with minors in Sociology and Social Entrepreneurship. She serves as an intern with CASA DeKalb County as part of the Internship Program.

Q: What project(s) are you working on as an intern?

Rachel: I am the Marketing Intern this semester. I am working on projects relating to social media, donor research, and volunteer recruitment, as well as, assisting with fall fundraisers. So far I have learned a lot about the databases used by nonprofits and using these systems to process donations and track donor information. I’ve also done a lot of work on the CASA DeKalb website.

Q: What is the biggest benefit and/or the best part of your internship experience?

Rachel: My favorite part of the internship is being able to bring a fresh take to whatever project we’re working on. Having not been involved in CASA in any formal way before, I come in with a new set of eyes and can see what’s working and what isn’t from an outsiders perspective.

Q: In your opinion, why should students pursue internship opportunities?

Rachel: Experience, experience, experience. Getting the opportunity to work outside of the classroom, not just doing readings and essays, has allowed me to connect almost every experience I’ve had with something I learned in class. It allows you to see that you do use the things we are taught, and will make transitioning to the workplace environment easier.

Q: Please share any additional comments you have about your internship experience. 

Rachel: Thank you so much to the Roberts Family Foundation for their generous gifts that have allowed so many students this same opportunity. I am beyond grateful to be representing NIU NNGO and DCNP while interning with CASA.

The Internship Program is a collaboration between the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership, the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies, and Career Services at Northern Illinois University, supported by the Douglas C. and Lynn M. Roberts Family Foundation.