REFLECTIONS FROM OUR SUMMER INTERNS (PT1)
By Sanchi Shah
As we come to the end of August, I have to say farewell to VERGE Capital and Pillar Nonprofit Network. Interning here has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life.
I want to thank James, my boss, for being so helpful and always giving us an opportunity to learn and try new things. His dedication towards his work was one of the most inspiring aspects of my work here. A massive thank you to Zoe, my partner in crime, for always being there when I am lost. A big thank you to Rachel for always helping us with her amazing ideas and being the most creative person I know! To Dharshi, for being my Innovation Works guide and friend and always making me feel supported. To Maria Luisa and Kaleigh for teaching and supporting me in my journey to work on social media pages and lastly to Mojdeh for being an amazing role model and support here at Pillar! Here are some things that I learnt here that I hope to bring into every aspect of my life and my future endeavours:
If I fail at something, I am not a failure - The support and understanding that my colleagues had while working on various projects was so commendable. Having the opportunity to experience this open dialogue about failure is definitely something I hope to take every place I go next!
Wildlife updates - Every meeting with my colleagues starts with wildlife updates and I think that's beautiful and very very important.
Heart-led approach in my work - Believing in the work I do and its impact is very important to keep you driven. It is the deciding factor in how one should approach projects and work with others.
Transparency and open communication can make or break your experience - Sharing where we are at in our journeys and if we don't feel 100% or hit a block in our projects was a common occurrence in our meetings at VERGE. This helped me become comfortable with myself as well as my colleagues and more understanding and patient.
Recognizing our impact and approaching each situation with care - Equity and care is built into every aspect of how work is done at Pillar Nonprofit and VERGE. Learning this approach from my colleagues and seeing the difference it makes in the current atmosphere is probably the most inspiring aspect of working here.
As I return to being a student again with all this new knowledge and the amazing memories, I hope to continue my journey in the social impact sector. I am so grateful for this opportunity for helping me discover my passion and for making me a better version of myself!
- Sanchi
Sanchi is returning to Huron University College as a 3rd year Honours Economics student. Connect with her on LinkedIn!
