Hosting a Student Intern
Through her internship with Nonprofits LEAD at Marietta College, Josie Jeffery had a chance to visit various nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Ohio Valley to network and learn, including our nonprofit.
By Shannan Tschopp, Program Director, Nonprofits LEAD at Marietta College
Why We Hosted an Intern: The mission of Nonprofits LEAD is to build a strong, sustainable nonprofit community in the Mid-Ohio Valley in which every organization is able to effectively and efficiently achieve its mission. In order for us to work towards that mission, we not only have to support our current leaders, but we have to help invest in our future ones. We were so excited to host a summer intern this summer through BB2C. Josie Jeffery is a rising junior at Marietta High School. She is interning with us due to her interest in a career with a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit sector always needs bright, capable, and curious professionals who understand the challenges and rewards of mission-driven work. We were fortunate to be able to nurture this intern's experience to learn, explore, and contribute to the work we do.
How We Support Learning: Throughout the summer, Josie had the opportunity to dive into the inner workings of nonprofit organizations. She met regularly with Program Director Shannan Tschopp to learn about how nonprofits operate and govern. She helped Nonprofits LEAD create a database of information and resources, organize program materials, and tour a few local nonprofit organizations to understand the work they do. We wanted to intentionally expose her to a range of experiences and tools, explaining just how dynamic the work in a nonprofit is. Our goal was ultimately to provide her with a well-rounded view of what it takes to support and sustain a nonprofit organization.
What We Gained: Hosting an intern was not only a learning experience for the student, but it was an opportunity for growth for us. Josie’s questions encouraged us to slow down and reflect on the ever-changing environment nonprofits are in. Her contributions helped us build real capacity during a time when we are heavily planning programs that build capacity for nonprofits during the upcoming year. Her observations helped us see our work through a new lens, and her interest in the nonprofit sector reminded us that developing the next generation of leaders starts with exposure and opportunity. Leadership development doesn’t just happen in workshops or classrooms—it takes shape in everyday conversations, meaningful hands-on experiences, and spaces that welcome growth.
We know that Josie will continue to positively impact the community as she pursues her career pathway. We look forward to further opportunities with BB2C to engage with students, classrooms, and educators as we continue to support the development of the nonprofit sector in our community.