If you don’t live in San Diego (read as: if you experience four seasons instead of one), then you know that a new season means new changes. This season the weather is getting warmer, students are out for the summer, the days are getting longer, and most importantly, our summer interns have arrived. We are incredibly excited to have an office filled with new interns– truly the livelihood of our office. But I think I can speak on behalf of the entire communications department, when I say we are the most excited about our new interns. There is no better place for the new communications interns to introduce themselves than the blog.
So without further adieu, we’ll let them introduce themselves.
Steph mullen
So let’s get through the boring stuff first. I am a recent graduate of Duquesne University’s International Relation’s program in Pittsburgh, PA. Though originally from the Philadelphia area, I decided that I loved the frigid weather, wicked wind, and unbearable snow and moved across the state. Unfortunately, I found out a little too late that I am 100% a warm-weather girl at heart. However, my time at Duquesne was filled with great friends, awesome professors, and lots of community service. My heart lies in international development and in creating a better, more sustainable world.
My road to Invisible Children is long and windy but I could not be happier to have ended up here for the summer. I first learned about Invisible Children in high school. We watched Innocent’s story and when the screen went black, everything fell silent. I couldn’t decide whether to cry or clap. In the end, I bought the bracelet and told the story to my friends, family, and really anyone who could stand to be around me for more than 5 minutes.
I continued to go to screenings, did a few minor fundraisers in high school, and supported its mission, albeit from afar. Like most high school and college students, life got in the way. Though my commitment to humanitarian efforts and my dedication to international justice continued to flourish through other avenues, Invisible Children did not necessarily impact me on a day to day basis.
Then one day this spring, I was casually searching through my Facebook newsfeed (avoiding yet another 10 page paper) and came across the Facebook post announcing Invisible Children’s summer internships. I clicked on it, intrigued by the prospect of working for an international organization that really redefined the landscape of non-profit organizations. Call it fate, a gut feeling, or just a knee-jerk reaction but I knew I had to apply.
To make a long story short, Invisible Children made the bold decision to bring me in and I am pretty stoked about it. Although I have only been in the office for a few short days, I am already amazed and inspired by the commitment, honesty, and general awesomeness of not only the people in this office, but also the supporters outside these walls.
I am honored and excited to begin this next chapter, a chapter that I hope you will read and write with me. I am excited to learn, share, and discover all the intricacies and cool stuff going on here at IC. Oh, and San Diego’s beautiful, warm weather is a plus!
Miranda brown
I’m Miranda, one of the newest communications interns. I’m a rising junior at Point Loma Nazarene University here in San Diego, studying Managerial and Organizational Communication with a minor in Writing. I’m also obsessed with coffee and everything by Ben Howard.
Working here has been a dream of mine for a while, and at times it still surprises me that I’m actually here. I heard about Invisible Children when a roadie put on a screening at my high school a few years ago, and seeing the LRA’s brutality expanded my worldview and challenged me to get involved. A few months ago, I saw the communications position on the website, and it seemed like a perfect fit. I’ve always loved writing, and this is a great place to grow professionally while supporting a cause I believe in.
The intern house is all the craziness of living with 15 friends. In the last few days, we started exploring San Diego, had some deep conversations, and made plenty of jokes along the way. I’ve loved getting to know everyone, and you learn a lot about yourself when you’re immersed in a community of people you just met. I’ve been challenged to live with more confidence, and hearing everyone’s stories has made me dream bigger about my own after-college plans. I’m also channelling some creativity to cook for myself on a budget (and trying to avoid Ramen and Easy Mac when possible).
Work and training is the most perfect combination of fun and productivity. Our first day, Jason Russell played choreographer and got us all jumping and sweating in the conference room as we danced to a pop song. Comfort zones have no place here, and boring is like the worst kind of swear word.
The staff encourages a collaborative environment and values our opinions, even on the first week. They push us to perform to our highest capacity and to be our best selves. I’m so excited to learn all I can from these genuine, inspiring people. Working in communication, I get to share incredible stories with the world, and I can’t wait to add my voice to the mix.
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