Be ready to be self-driven in any role at this organization.
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Garden and Administrative Intern
June - July 2019 • Centerville, IN
What I liked
I loved the variety of opportunities presented to me during my time at Cope. The dual nature of my internship allowed me to explore a handful of areas and learn about many aspects of a non-profit organization. I also really loved the people with whom I worked and hope to continue those relationships during my time at Earlham.
What I wish was different
Sadly, some downsizing occurred while I was at Cope. It happened very suddenly and wasn't handled in the best way, leaving me without a supervisor and struggling to find tasks to complete. I felt like I couldn't be as productive because there was little structure to offer me guidance. I know there was plenty to be done; it was about having someone with enough time to give me those tasks.
Advice
Bring a lot of self-motivation! Working in the gardens was a largely individual experience for me. I was completely inexperienced in gardening (which I made clear when I interviewed), so it was mostly my own responsibility to read and learn and experiment with growing different things. Also, my time in the gardens was also very "lonely;" listening to podcasts passed the time while weeding.
