Organizing Corps 2020

Field Organizer

June - August 2019 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

The internship program was cohort-style. I worked with a large team of diverse individuals to recruit volunteers and register voters to meet goals.

What I wish was different

I wish there was a cohort in my town, or at least closer to me. I commuted two hours a day round-trip. Orlando is a far distance from me, which meant a sizable chuck of every day was spent driving.

Advice

There's a massive lack of field organizers in the country. Field organizing puts one in the driver's seat as they will be planning events to create community. They will talk--a lot! They will post events on social media, they will enter data on a program. Basically, all the skills you use in your daily life, you use in organizing. That means anyone can be an organizer!

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Organizer

August 2018 - January 2019 • Milwaukee, WI

What I liked

I liked the feeling knowing I was apart of making a change.

What I wish was different

My hours

Advice

Be open and willing to try new things

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Community outreach intern

June - August 2019 • Charlotte, NC

What I liked

This summer I really enjoyed being in the community. I was able to interact with people all over charlotte and talk to them about what really matters.

What I wish was different

The only thing I wish was different was being able to drive. I honestly feel like I could have covered more ground if I drove my own car.

Advice

I would advice anyone applyong for this program to ask specific questions. There were a few things that weren't completely stipulated when I applied. I would also advice others to have an open mind. We had a few members that weren't open to the experience and some wasted valuable time because of things that "they didn't want to do ".

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Field Organizer

June - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

I loved the fact that I felt like I was making a difference in the political world. I also really liked all the people I met during my experience, and I also learned to recognize my privilege a little bit, which was a wake-up call in my life. This job also taught me how to effectively communicate with people of several different backgrounds, racial/ethnic groups, political views, religions, and other sociological factors.

What I wish was different

I wish I was given more autonomy and the job was a little more organized. I felt that I was playing from behind because I was waiting for other people to make plans that I felt I could make sooner. This made me enjoy the job less, but I also feel that it taught me a level of patience I did not previously have.

Advice

Be ready for plans to change on a whim.

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Field Organizer

June - August 2019 • Miami, FL

What I liked

I liked the experience we gained during this job, and how hands-on it was in terms of being in the field and learning what it takes to work in the political organizing field.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more time to work with the company, and I wish that I was able to work with them indefinitely instead of two separate terms.

Advice

I would advise all within similar experiences or considering joining an internship or job position from Handshake to take the step forward and the position because it was a great experience and one I will always cherish. This specific position changed my life, and most likely my career path indefinitely. It was an amazing opportunity, and I would hope everyone takes advantage of similar ones when given the chance.

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Field Organizer

June - August 2019 • Detroit, MI

What I liked

Every day as a field organizer is different, and going into work everyday, I didn't always know what to expect. I got to meet a lot of state representatives and presidential candidates, including some personal favorites of mine, as part of my work. It also felt incredibly rewarding to spread resources, register voters, and help with community events in the great city of Detroit. At the end of my internship, I was awarded the Spirit of Detroit Award from the city council for my leadership and excellency in giving back to the community.

What I wish was different

Some of the program was unstructured and not completely prepared for issues that we would face. Some resources that were necessary for part of the job were not readily available to us. However, this was the inaugural class of field organizers for Organizing Corps 2020, and when keeping that in mind, I would say it was still pretty great.

Advice

Organizing Corps 2020 does a fantastic job of training prior to beginning your position and throughout based on feedback from everyone. Pay attention to these, ask for help when you need it. When canvassing, wear comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water, and bring a friend!

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Organizer

June - August 2019 • Phoenix, AZ

What I liked

I met incredible people who shared similar values and goals, and learned new skills applicable anywhere in my life.

What I wish was different

Communication and structure with higher up management could have been clearer.

Advice

Absolutely go for it, this internship changed my life.

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Community Organizer

June - August 2019 • Plantation, FL

What I liked

The office atmosphere. We were all very collaborative and would help each other out whenever possible. I also liked that our supervisor included us in decision-making. We had guest speakers come in to help us with job training. At the end of the program, we had resume and interview workshops.

What I wish was different

I wish that the program was longer so that we could build deeper community connections. I also wish that we had a little more infrastructure. Sometimes it felt that we were disconnected from the local community doing similar work.

Advice

Don't be afraid to ask for help or reach out to people. There are many more experienced people that are willing to mentor and help young people starting out.

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