Every semester, AFTH allows two students from local universities to join our marketing team. It helps students gain hands on experience – specifically what it takes to build beautiful families through adoption. This summer we had the pleasure of having Skyler and Nia, who will be college seniors this fall. These ladies are hard-working and driven and are dedicated to AFTH’s mission.
We sat down with our interns to learn more about what they have gained from this opportunity.
SKYLER & NIA
Why did you decide to pursue an internship with Adoptions From The Heart?
S: I am going into my senior year of college and I needed an internship to graduate. With this being said, I didn’t want to work somewhere where I didn’t enjoy going to work. I have always loved kids, so when I saw AFTH had a position that entailed both my passion for Public Relations, Events, and helping children, I knew this was the internship I needed to be with.
N: I decided to pursue an internship with Adoptions For The Heart because I am really interested in non-profit organizations. AFTH was willing to offer me two things I really enjoy, education about non-profit organizations and events/marketing.
What do you know about adoption?
S: I view adoption as a mutually beneficial experience for all members of the adoption triad. Placing and wanting the best for your child is an extremely selfless act, as is adopting a child in need, and I think it is important for all participants to realize that it is ok for a child to have 2 families (a birth family and an adoptive family). Biology is not what makes someone a parent and what is most important is that a child gets the love he/she deserves.
N: I know that adoption is a process of taking someone in as your own, the legal way of becoming a parent.
What are you hoping to learn from this internship?
S: I am hoping to learn the ropes of both Public Relations and Event Planning. I have found a passion for both fields over the years and AFTH is really helping me to grow my knowledge and put the skills I have learned about to use. I am willing to learn anything AFTH has in store for me while I have to opportunity of working here and I am also eager to learn more about non-profit organizations and how they are run.
N: From this internship with AFTH, I am hoping to learn more about Marketing and Events – how to reach the target audience in the most effective way possible and what steps it takes to put together events for a non-profit organization/agency.
Is there anything you’ve learned about adoption that you didn’t already know?
S: Prior to working here, I was not too informed on adoption. I have really learned the ropes at AFTH and gained a better understanding of what adoption means and how beautiful it really is. One thing, in particular, I have learned here is how a small non-profit organization can really make a world of difference to one family and I am just so happy to be a part of such a wonderful process.
N: Yes, I learned that using positive “Adoption Language” is really important to use. I also learned that adoption can be a long process but in the end, it is all worth it.
What are your plans after graduation?
S: After graduation, I plan on continuing to build families, except this time, through wedding planning rather than adoption. I am also not opposed to getting a job as a Public Relations Coordinator, and really just applying everything I have learned in school over the past 4 years while it is all still fresh.
N: After graduation, I hope to become more involved in non-profit organizations and help to manage social media and events for a company one day. I also have dreams of starting my own marketing agency.
Would you work in the adoption field in the future?
S: Speaking to families who have adopted through our agency explain how AFTH has changed their lives for the best is such a heartwarming thing to hear. I love what AFTH stands for and my experience here has really been amazing. I would definitely work in the field again.
N: Yes! I would definitely work in the adoption field in the future – interning at AFTH has made me realize that my end goal in life is to help people, in any way possible.
