Marissa Bond: Internship at Friends of the Children-Utah

I have loved my studies, and the people I have met, but when it came to the dreaded question of, “What are you going to do after graduation?” I could never come up with a clear answer.

I knew I wanted an internship that would suit my interests and something I could apply my coursework to. I was then introduced to Friends of the Children- Utah, a non-profit mentorship program for youth that aims to break the cycle of generational poverty. I was recruited as a social media marketing intern, but I quickly learned more than just marketing.

One of my pieces of weekly work consisted of a series of posts called “Friend Friday.” These posts highlighted stories from a different Friend (mentor) and their youth each week. Through the creation of these posts, I was able to learn a lot about what these incredible mentors do to help children and families day to day and heard many fun stories.

I was quickly assigned a semester-long project to help the organization better define what they call their nine “core assets.” This project was very detailed and taught me a lot. I met with my internship advisor briefly every week, and I also had the opportunity to sit down and meet with one of the Friends for over an hour to discuss this project. This experience gave me a lot of insight into the work they do and it was very inspiring to hear the positive impact these mentors have on youth and families.

This internship has helped me better understand what my goals are once I graduate college and what my career may look like. It has also allowed me to practice my skills in writing and communication and apply them to a field that is relevant to my studies in sociology. The experiences and opportunities I had while working at Friends of the Children have continued to cultivate my passions and care for my community.

If you are like me and unsure what to pursue after graduation, I recommend seeking an internship. It is not always an easy process, especially if you’re feeling uncertain about what path to go down. My biggest piece of advice is to always ask for help! There are many resources available at the U, so use them. Meeting with my career coach and internship advisor was crucial for me while I was looking for an internship.

I am so grateful for the opportunities presented to me by this internship. My time at Friends of the Children has taught me a new appreciation for this field of work and has encouraged me to maintain an open mind as I work toward my future career.