Every semester, AFTH allows two students from local universities to join our marketing team – to get first-hand experience on what it takes to build beautiful families through adoption. This semester we have Casey, a junior and Maggie, a senior – both are motivated and determined to learn all they can about the adoption triad, the process and the journey.
We sat down with our interns to learn more about what they are hoping to gain from this opportunity and what they hope to uncover about adoption.
Maggie
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an internship with Adoptions From The Heart?
M: I wanted to work for an organization that betters the lives of those around them. When I saw that AFTH has helped over 6,000 children find a loving home I knew they did just that. Bringing children and parents together is a beautiful thing that I wanted to be a part of.
Q: What are you hoping to learn from this internship?
M: I’m hoping to learn what goes into working for a non-profit organization that helps those around them. I’m also hoping to learn more firsthand experiences of adoption to better understand what the process is like for those involved.
Q: What do you know about adoption?
M: I know that adoption is a very difficult process for many involved. The decisions made during the adoption process are not easy and require help and support from loved ones and organizations like AFTH. I know that there are legal requirements and documents that must be followed and filled out in order for the adoption process to happen. Most importantly, I know that adoption has helped bring many children and parents together into a happy and loving home.
Q: Is there anything you’ve learned about adoption that you didn’t already know?
M: I’ve learned some of the different state laws for the legal requirements for adoption and how the surrounding states differ. I’ve learned Pennsylvania requires women to wait 72 hours after birth to sign the Consent to Adopt document. I’ve also read some personal stories of love and adoption that have made me realize even more how special the process can be.
Casey
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an internship with Adoptions From The Heart?
C: I pursued this internship because I like what Adoptions from the Heart does, and I also love kids! I really wanted to secure an internship in some kind of marketing and social media position, so this internship has been exactly what I’ve wanted.
Q: What are you hoping to learn from this internship?
C: I am hoping to learn how to market and present a brand through their social media presence. Because social media in today’s society is a huge outlet through which companies advertise and spread news, I think it is important to take advantage of social media platforms in ways that are positive and helpful.
Q: What do you know about adoption?
C: Before starting this internship, I only knew the basic facts about adoption, and not really the processes involved. My family knew a couple who adopted a daughter, and all I knew was that it took them a while to finish the actual adoption process.
Q: Is there anything you’ve learned about adoption that you didn’t already know?
C: I figured there was correct terminology for adoption terms, I just did not know what they were before starting my internship, so that is something I’ve definitely learned.
