Working for a not-for-profit organization that serves a community is often a career path that KIN students and graduates choose. Whether it’s providing opportunities or information on health, wellness, fitness, or nutrition, interns and graduates can share their skills and knowledge with diverse populations through their work. Read on to learn about Kadeeja Murrell’s experience interning with the Allen Neighborhood Center in Lansing.
The main thing that this internship…has helped me prepare for my future career is working with diverse groups of people.
I heard about the Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) Market Walk internship from my career advisor. After the referral, I found the posting on Handshake to get more information and details on what the internship actually entailed. Luckily, I applied, got the position, and was given many responsibilities as soon as I started. The mission of the Market Walk program is to promote health through exercise and nutrition, all while helping those in low-income households. I worked together with other interns to monitor each participant’s laps, keep the mileage logs updated, create different informational pamphlets and flyers for the participants, and more.
Though the internship was only for a few months, I feel as though I am now apart of a family at ANC. Denise, my site supervisor, is the sweetest woman I’ve ever met. She showed me what it truly means to be compassionate and empathetic. I know that if I ever need her for anything, she will be there to support me with whatever I need. My favorite part of it all was the people. I made real, long-lasting connections with the people of the Market Walk program that I will forever cherish and hold dear to my heart. I believe that the main thing that this internship and ANC has helped me prepare for my future career is working with diverse groups of people. This includes communicating and interacting with those in different cultures and ethnicities.
I didn’t think that I would enjoy my summer this much, but because of my internship, this might’ve been one of the best summers I’ve had in a very long time.
The Allen Neighborhood Center attends many career events around campus each year to share more about their internship offerings. To connect with them this fall to discuss opportunities to connect in the future, plan to attend the Making KIN-nections event on Nov. 1!