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Communications Insight: Internship through the Non-Profit Sector

Noah Layfield

COMM 495: Summer Internship

Salisbury University.
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The first day I walked into my internship I was introduced to everyone and then asked to

help prepare breakfast for over fifty people. I had no idea how this was going to help me with my

internship or even help me grow and learn. I quickly realized how wrong I was, however. What I

quickly learned was that by helping make and serve breakfast for so many people I was

introduced to almost everyone in that place on the first day. I will never forget how many names

of employees and the kids I learned and later formed connections with. But to get into this, let's

rewind to the end of the 2023 fall semester. While I was looking for an internship after the end of

the fall 2023 school year, I had no idea what I wanted to do, I had no idea of even what career

field I wanted to go into. While I knew I wanted to go into the communications field I could not

figure out where I wanted to be in that world. I then thought of a place near my hometown which

I had heard of before called the Epoch Dream Center. I thought at first to myself and wondered

how my communications skills could be useful here but still decided to go for it and take a leap. I

contacted the owner of the Epoch Dream Center, and she set me up with an Interview with

Allison Acree who would later come to be my supervisor. During this interview Allison gave me

a tour of the facilities and sat down with me and explained how I could be of use to them with
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my communications skills and major. I thought then and there that this would be the perfect

opportunity for myself to branch out and learn if this was the sort of job, I would perhaps be

interested in for the future, so I decided to pursue it and was granted an internship at the Epoch

Dream Center for the summer of 2024. The purpose of this essay is to show the lessons, skills

and opportunities I was given and learned during my time at Epoch during the course of my

internship and how what I learned over my time has better prepared me for a future and

successful career working in the communications field.

In my time at Epoch, I was able to truly learn what communication skills are valuable when

speaking to a larger group or people/kids. At Epoch, aside from my other duties, I assisted in

leading a classroom of fourth graders. In doing this one of the main lessons I learned was that

communication skills don't involve just speaking to other people but rather speaking my message

in a way that tailors to my audience and their needs. I have never worked with children before so

learning how to communicate effectively with them was a challenge. The way and format of how

I normally talk has been tailored to college kids and adults, so this was something completely

new to me. I had to adapt to the environment and learn how to properly teach and communicate

in a way that would actively reach and engage this group of fourth graders. For instance, when

going over reading and writing with the kids I had to put myself in their shoes and realize that

they do not know what I know about these subjects and instead of just communicating that to

them I would rather teach that to them. I had to adjust the way I talked and the words I used to

communicate for them to actively understand and learn from me. I had never considered this

before, so this really helped me with learning about understanding and reading my environment

before communicating in order to become a better speaker. I had come into this opportunity with

a basic understanding of this but hadn't fully experienced the need to shift my perspective alter

my speech in such a setting as this. Over my time I learned how to do this better and better to
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where I feel much more confident in not only speaking and teaching to children but rather

examining my audience and determining my approach for proper and strategic communication

strategies. The more I did this instead of just going in with an approach and tactic meant for

adults the more I grew my skills and the more successful I was in this internship and

teaching/communicating to a group of people/kids dissimilar to me.

During the course of my internship and my time at Epoch I was truly shocked about

working at a non-profit and the amount of work that it required in order to financially stay afloat

and run effectively. Epoch dream center is a non-profit summer program for underprivileged

children which provides a safe learning environment over the summer and helps the children not

only have fun but also learn reading, writing, and math but also life skills and lessons. From my

time here the most important thing I learned about was fundraising and finding grants. I was

taught about instrumentl which is a database of grants for non-profits, I was given a login shortly

after starting my internship and taught how to search this database for grants that apply to this

company. These grants all have different requirements so looking through them and finding ones

that apply to our organization was difficult and applying for them even harder. I found that

communication was so relevant in this field as finding the grants was one thing but truly

applying for them took communication and persuasion skills which I did not know would be

needed. Along with instrumentl for grants fundraising was a big part of the non-profit world in

which I had no idea about. Epoch constantly fundraises whether it be a fundraising event they

plan and organize or just asking and attempting to receive donations. Over the time I spent at

Epoch I got to witness and assist in one of these fundraiser events called their Cocktail Party. I

was able to sit in on fundraising meeting and actively help coming up with ideas for fundraising.

Just sitting in these meetings opened my eyes to how needed communication skills were when

calling and visiting business and corporations to try to receive donations and support for this
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event. It truly amazed me how much work and time was spent communicating with other people

and businesses to fundraise and keep an organization like this operating at its maximum potential

and I would have never seen this side of the company unless I was working and completing my

internship here. With my time here the more passionate I felt about the cause and day by day my

skills not only as a person, but a communicator grew.

There were so many aspects of this experience that I can look back on and truly say I am

proud of and grateful for it but one really stood out to me. Looking back at the effect I had on the

children during my time really makes me proud of myself and quite emotional. The kids I was

working with every day came from a far different background and upbringing that me and just

from the short time I spent there I was able to hear so many stories and learn about these

children's lives during my time here not only made me so grateful for all the blessings I have but

made me so much more passionate to do a better job and leave a lasting impact on their lives. I

spent my birthday over the summer working at my internship and as per tradition on my birthday

I received a “birthday blessing” from a few of the kids. This essentially is the kids just telling me

why they appreciate and are thankful for me. This day was one I will never forget as a few of the

kids thanked me so much for my time here and how me working with them every day left a

lasting impact on them and that they were so grateful for the time I had put in helping them and

putting a smile on their faces. This is the aspect of my internship that I can without a doubt say

was my most proud moment. Just knowing that by furthering my skills as a communicator and

teaching and helping these kids left a lasting impression and impact on them really made me

know I made the right decision but applying for this internship. As my skills as a communicator

grew and I learned how to adapt to my environment and shift my teaching perspective I not only

was able to increase my skills but also help these students. This I can truly look back on and say

this was the part of my experience that I am most proud of. Reflecting on my internship, I've
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come to realize there are areas where I could have approached things differently, which has led

to valuable insights for my personal and professional growth. One significant area where I feel I

let myself down was not actively seeking opportunities to work more closely with the social

media department. Social media is a field I am genuinely passionate about, and I have seen

firsthand how fulfilling and impactful it can be through my role running the social media for the

Salisbury University chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi. This role allowed me to thrive and develop

skills that I truly enjoy. During my internship at Epoch, I missed out on opportunities to be

involved in social media projects. Looking back, I realize that I could have taken the initiative to

express my interest and ask how I could contribute to the organization’s social media efforts. By

doing so, I might have found greater enjoyment in my internship and made more meaningful

contributions. This experience has taught me the importance of advocating for myself and

seeking out projects that align with my passions. Another area where I felt I disappointed myself

was in not asking for help when I was unsure or overwhelmed. There were certainly moments

during my internship when I encountered challenges or felt confused about certain tasks or

topics. In those situations, I hesitated to seek clarification or assistance. In hindsight, I realize

that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather an opportunity for growth and learning.

By reaching out for support when needed, I could have better navigated these challenges and

improved my overall performance. By reflecting on these moments and embracing them as

opportunities for growth, I am better equipped to approach future roles with a more informed

perspective and a proactive attitude.

After completing my internship at the Epoch Dream Center, I’ve found myself becoming

much more thoughtful and discerning about my future career decisions. When I initially chose to

undertake this internship, my primary motivation was to gain valuable hands-on experience and

explore whether this field could potentially become a viable career path for me. I approached the
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role with the hope that immersing myself in this environment would not only enhance my skills

in communications but also potentially ignite a passion for a career in this field. While I did

indeed acquire useful skills and experience, I’ve come to the realization that this may not be the

exact career path I want to follow in the long term. During my time at Epoch, I had the

opportunity to develop a range of new skills and gain insights into the workings of the

organization, which I truly value. However, upon reflection, I’ve recognized that my interests

and passions are more aligned with creative fields where I can fully capitalize on my creativity

and persuasive communication abilities. Although I found many aspects of the internship

enjoyable, I now understand that I am seeking a career that allows me to explore my creative side

more extensively and engage in work that feels more in line with my personal aspirations and

long-term goals. One aspect of the internship that I particularly enjoyed was the varied work

environment. I appreciated the fact that I was not confined to a desk all day instead, I had the

opportunity to move around the building and engage in different tasks. As I look ahead to future

opportunities, I want to find roles that offer a similar level of variety and diversity in tasks. I

believe that working in an environment where I am able to move around and take on different

responsibilities will keep me motivated and energized, and ultimately lead to a greater career

experience. Another element of the internship that made a significant impact on me was the

strong sense of collaboration and teamwork among the staff. Witnessing the dedication and

collective effort of the employees, all working towards the shared goal of benefiting the children

and advancing the organization’s mission, was truly inspiring. It demonstrated commitment and

passion that the staff had for their roles, and it highlighted the importance of working in an

environment where colleagues are genuinely invested in their work. This experience has

reinforced my desire to find a career where I can be part of a team that is dedicated to going
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above and beyond in their jobs. So to summarize while this is not the field that I will be

searching for a job in, it did teach me lessons of what I want and do not want in a job.

For the final part of my recap on my interview, I want to go into why I truly cherished

this experience and highlight some of the standout moments that made it so memorable. From

the moment I stepped into Epoch, I was welcomed with such warmth and enthusiasm that it

immediately lifted my spirits. The infectious positivity and vibrant energy within that building

impacted me and set a positive tone for each day I spent there. My time at Epoch wasn't just

about fulfilling a set number of hours; it was about contributing to something meaningful and

making a meaningfull difference. This sense of purpose was one of the aspects I cherished most

about my internship. Every day, I felt a deep satisfaction knowing that my efforts were

contributing to positive change in the community, and that was incredibly fulfilling. The

personal connections I made with the people at Epoch were instrumental in shaping my

experience. The kindness and compassion of my colleagues and the supportive environment they

held made the internship not just a professional environment but a genuinely enjoyable journey. I

met so many wonderful individuals who have left a lasting impression on me, and I plan to stay

in touch with them long after this experience concludes. However, the most rewarding aspect of

my internship was undoubtedly the relationships I built with the children at Epoch. These kids

became a significant part of my daily routine, and I had the privilege of forming meaningful

connections with many of them. Their excitement and curiosity were a constant source of

inspiration, and their heartfelt questions about whether I would return during the school year

were both touching and bittersweet. Saying goodbye to the incredible staff and these remarkable

children will undoubtedly be one of the hardest parts of leaving Epoch. Yet, I feel incredibly

fortunate to have had the opportunity to contribute my skills and grow personally and
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professionally in such an environment. This experience has been truly transformative, and I am

grateful for every moment spent at the Epoch Dream Center.

Before embarking on this internship, I would have never envisioned myself in a role like

this or considered such a path for my future career. However, as I reflect on this journey, I can

confidently say that while I am still uncertain about the specific direction I want to take for the

rest of my life, this internship has been instrumental in shaping both my professional and

personal outlook. The experience provided me with invaluable insights into the workings of a

non-profit organization and the dedication and effort that go into making a difference in the

community. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to witness firsthand the complexities and

challenges of the non-profit sector. It has been eye-opening to understand the behind-the-scenes

work required to support and uplift those in need. This exposure has not only broadened my

understanding of the field but has also sparked a newfound appreciation for the dedication of

those who work in this space. Throughout my time at Epoch, I have witnessed significant

personal growth. My communication skills have notably improved, and I have become a more

confident public speaker. These are skills that I will carry with me into any future endeavor. The

experience has also taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability, as I navigated both

the high points and the challenges of the internship. Despite the ups and downs and the inevitable

challenges that came along the way, I choose to focus on the positive experiences and the lessons

learned. The memories I have made and the skills I have developed will undoubtedly be

beneficial as I move forward. Even though my time at the Epoch Dream Center was relatively

brief, the impact it has had on me is profound. The connections I made, the experiences I gained,

and the growth I achieved are elements that will influence my future endeavors and help me

navigate whatever lies ahead. This internship has been a transformative chapter in my life, and I

am deeply appreciative of the role it has played in my ongoing journey.