Constantly expanding and developing, Civic Champs has on boarded a new group of talented interns to our growing program. Six unique, open-minded interns have joined the team since the beginning of the year. Their fresh perspectives allow Civic Champs to continue to evolve to better serve our partners and our communities. Here are some thoughts from the new team members:
Julia Nasiatka; Human Resources Intern
“I was really drawn to Civic Champs because of what it does to help the community. Amidst all the chaos we see in today’s world, it really warms my heart to see people with the desire to help and care for others. I hope to learn more about what it takes to be in the HR position at a company, but I especially like to learn more about the recruiting aspect, which is a big role in a small company such as Civic Champs. I grew up in a faith-focused community and spent much of my time helping others and volunteering at various places. Not only am I helping other people when I volunteer, but I feel as though it really has helped me to grow and mature as an individual.”
Akhil Behl; Business Analyst Intern
“I am setting up a student ambassador program for Civic Champs, and analyze and run python scrapers. I was really interested in joining Civic Champs because it was a tech start-up with a highly successful and knowledgeable CEO, and I hoped to learn as much as I could about entrepreneurship through my internship. Secondly, I was attracted to the purpose and goal of Civic Champs and felt that it was a really unique idea that has massive potential to grow. Having the opportunity to actually contribute to this application’s growth, especially one that is focused on the non-profit space, allows me to work on something bigger than myself. I hope to improve my leadership, communication, and organization abilities by setting up a solid foundation for a student ambassador program for Civic Champs UT Austin, as well as create a program that will expand to many more colleges in the coming years. In high school, I had the opportunity to take part in numerous volunteering activities, all of which had a deep impact on me. In 2019, I was involved with a vaccination drive that was able to vaccinate more than 6000 children and adults against the H1N1 virus in small villages near my hometown. After working on and seeing the impact of such a large project, I realized the sheer importance and positive impact of nonprofits and community service activities.”
Cennie Scott; Project Management Intern
“I really value serving others, and volunteering was an area that I needed to be better in. There is a great need for volunteering and most people would agree but not a lot of people want to do anything about it. I think- like many other people- I ‘don’t have time.’ None of us ‘have time’ and that is the beauty about service; you must go out of your way, humble yourself, and serve someone else. I want to be a part of that shift in culture for the betterment of others. I hope to have a better understanding of needs locally in the Bloomington area as well as how I can engage in the places I will eventually live in. I care deeply that people are seen and heard. One of the most impactful things we can do is see the needs of others and take action.”
Naya Day; Human Resources Intern
“Civic Champs has a great mission and I want to be a part of helping a startup company excel. My favorite part about the Civic Champs team is the people. Everyone is friendly, cares about their work and is willing to help others to the best of their ability. I hope to enhance my human resource and professional skills as well as network and develop projects the company can use for a long time. I am drawn to the nonprofit space because I love being able to have a positive impact on others.”
Veronica Mo; Digital Media Intern
“I am drawn to Civic Champs because the volunteer app is new to me, and I’m looking forward to marketing a digital product instead of a physical one. I want to help Civic Champs build its brand and better reach those who are in need of volunteer help. I think this app can definitely help people who need a better management system for volunteerism. I have always wanted to find ways to give back to the community. I haven’t been involved in too much volunteer work in the Bloomington community, but when I find ways to help my friends or people who need help, the experience is always fulfilling. Outside of work, I am interested in photography and art in general.”
Quin Dreyer; Business Analyst Intern
“I became really interested in Civic Champs due to its mission. I have always had a passion for business and helping others, but I never really explored an opportunity that allowed me to combine both passions. With Civic Champs, I am really excited that I can apply my skills to create a positive social impact in the community. I am really excited to learn a lot and become confident in leading my own work. Through my work, I hope I can gain a deeper understanding of social enterprises and learn how to effectively analyze data to make a greater impact. I enjoy working in the nonprofit space because I have always been involved in the community. I have volunteered to tutor students for years, and I really enjoy being able to give back to communities close to me. With the nonprofit space, I enjoy being able to learn more about communities and connect with them.”
Civic Champs is incredibly exciting for these young professionals to be joining our team. Their passionate work will also contribute to the release of Helping Hands, our initiative that focuses on aiding those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially focusing on elderly members of our community, Helping Hands promotes the growth and strengthening of our communities by providing relief to those who need it. Our strategy is simple- small acts of kindness will go a long way. If you’re interested in getting involved with Helping Hands, check out our website or contact us at helpinghands@civicchamps.com
The interviews in this article have been edited for clarity and length.
Civic Champs' Mission is to deliver the most intuitive and impactful volunteer management and engagement software for nonprofits and their champions