Caroline is a Political Science major at Northern Illinois University. She’s interning with CASA DeKalb County as part of the Internship Program.

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

Caroline: I am a marketing intern for CASA this summer. I am working on social media projects related to CASA’s summer fundraisers.

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

Caroline : My favorite part of the internship is being able to connect what I have learned in my classes at NIU with a real working organization. I also really enjoy the networking that I have been able to do not only with the CASA staff, but with other nonprofit leaders in the community. I have benefitted from my internship by gaining more knowledge and skills in marketing. While my classes have touched on the basics of marketing, my internship lets me explore and learn from experience.

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

Caroline : Students should pursue internship opportunities to get first-hand experience of what a career in a field of interest could look like. Getting the opportunity to work outside of the classroom builds on a student’s knowledge and sparks interest to prepare them for a future career.

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

Caroline : Thank you to the Roberts Family Foundation for their generous support to provide students with amazing opportunities. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and cannot thank the Roberts Family Foundation, DCNP, and CASA enough.

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.