Career Services Spotlight – Shaquana Lee, MPA ’18, Visiting Nurse Service of New York and Changing Our World, Inc.
I am currently interning at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) and Changing Our World, Inc. At VNSNY I am responsible for entering appeals into Raiser’s Edge and managing the distribution of gift notifications by mail. At Changing Our World, I focus on prospective donor research. Both internships are launching my career in development because I am getting well rounded exposure. For instance, at VNSNY I am learning the importance of a strong development department. It is very important to manage the influx of donations and maintain a relationship with all donors in house. Furthermore, Changing Our World, Inc. is teaching me how to solicit donors based on their philanthropic behavior.
Career Services has been outstanding in my search for internships. I met with my Career Advisor, Kerry Bartholomew, almost every week and she always provided feedback regarding my search. I did not understand how to talk about myself in a way that was substantial to prospective employers. Kerry taught me that every task requires a transferable skill and that I knew more about Nonprofits than I thought. That is what led me to a paid opportunity with Changing Our World, Inc. It is important to remember that you have something to offer and the right opportunity will present itself.