ASU Intern Learns the Ropes and
What it Means to Make a Difference

September 2006
After four wonderful years attending Arizona State University there was only one thing that stood in the way between me and my diploma; a 12 week summer internship. Unlike most students I was lucky and able to secure a great internship with the non-profit organization Communities In Schools in Arizona (CISA). By the end of the summer I was on track to my diploma, a B.S in Recreation Management with an emphasis on Community Development, and hopefully a full time job.

From the very first day that I started I knew this was something I could do for the rest of my life. My first couple of weeks I became familiar with the organization, the office and many of the systems that are used. Having only taught swim lessons during my college experience, I did not know anything about an office. I had no clue how to use a fax machine, Microsoft office, the mail machine and simple things like that which are essential to doing the job. I had some great coworkers who showed me the ropes and eventually I was on my way.

By July the real work had started. Supplies 4 Students had begun and my carefree, easy going college lifestyle was over. Supplies 4 Students is a back to school drive for children around the valley. For the entire month of July I was given many responsibilities to ensure everything went smoothly. I did a broad range of duties from volunteer coordinating, opening and closing our table at the mall, picking up, sorting and distributing backpacks, helping plan for the celebration, data management, thank you letters and much more.

After some very long days, some very laborious work and no monetary compensation I was tired. While having a conversation with my mother sometime in late July she asked me how I liked work. I told her “I do not like getting up early, having no pay stinks and my back hurts, but for some reason I keep getting up and that is because at the end of the day I feel like I made a difference,” and to me that is what made me love working.

Everyone who works at CISA is there because they want to be. They are there because they believe that people can make a difference and they want to help. This is why I wanted to work for this organization, and in August I got my chance. I was offered a position to be a Resource Specialist in two elementary schools, Balsz and Bret R. Tarver. Immediately I accepted the position and got right to work.

I absolutely love my job. Not only do I get to interact with kids, but teachers, parents and professionals as well. Many people I met during my internship I still see, I use all the skills I learned and everyday I am learning how non-profit works. I get to attend great events like Cover to Cover, Community In Schools Best of the West Conference and much more. I would like to thank everyone at ASU for giving me the skills to go into the real world, and everyone at CISA for giving me the experience and the opportunity!

Danielle Prybylek
ASU Intern/CISA Employee