My Red Cross Intern Experience

My name is Kaitlyn and I am graduating from Texas Tech University with a degree in public relations in December. Over the past two years, I have learned many skills and techniques from some of the best and most qualified professors. With the end of my undergraduate career nearing, I wanted an opportunity to apply what I’ve learned to the real world.

In school, one of the first questions they ask you is “what field of public relations do you want to work in?” and I always said nonprofit. I started volunteering when I was 5 and never really stopped so for me, a nonprofit made perfect sense. Getting to work while also serving others and the community is an absolute ideal job for me.

In one of my senior level courses, we were assigned to write a mock press release for different chapters of the American Red Cross. I had been previously CPR and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross so I knew some things about them, but this assignment really opened my eyes. I ended up reading a handful of testimonies and was blown away by how big of an impact this organization had on so many communities.

Months after that assignment, I was walking down the hallway and noticed a flyer to become an intern for the American Red Cross. I grabbed it, called my mom to tell her about it and then applied for the position within two hours of learning about it. I was so nervous but so excited because something about it just felt like it was meant to be. I ended up talking on the phone to a few different directors and immediately knew that these were people I wanted to work with and for.

Fast forward a few weeks and I have now been the South Plains American Red Cross intern for a month! My first day on the job was the same day Hurricane Harvey made landfall so you can imagine how big of a whirlwind it’s been. I definitely wasn’t expecting this to be part of my experience, but I have already learned so much and been able to apply every single thing I’ve learned in school.

With Hurricane Irma and Maria following Harvey, the American Red Cross has been incredibly busy. It’s been amazing to see the responses from my directors, my community and all of the volunteers who are so willing to serve our neighbors in need. The people I work with on a daily basis and the people who come in to donate and volunteer remind me exactly why my answer was always “nonprofit.”

I am so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to learning much more at the American Red Cross this year! 

ARC Internship Provides Rich Experience and Fun

That's me looking like I'm grown up.

By Kassidy Ketron, Intern

Before my internship with the American Red Cross in Lubbock, I never even for a second thought I would want to work for a nonprofit organization.

Now, I can tell you how stupid that was because I’ve realized how much I love working for a nonprofit.

During my internship, not only was I treated just the same as the other employees, but I had work to do. I wasn’t just free labor that only answered the phone every time it rang and helped people who came into the office.

My first week I put together a blog plan for the month, wrote blogs, and handled social media accounts, which I’ve done the entire semester. After that, I was trusted with the task of creating lists for the Dallas chapter’s Twitter Account. I was asked to use research analytics software to compile monthly statistics about the performance of the social media accounts for the Dallas chapter, as well.

As an intern, it is a privilege to be trusted not only with your company or organization’s social media accounts, but with things outside your realm, too. It is a great compliment.

My favorite thing by far though was what I was able to do for our bowling tournament. I was interviewed on live TV about our event and the great services the American Red Cross offers. I enjoyed it so much because I had never done it before and thankfully, I didn’t do too bad. I did something weird with my hands apparently, but we won’t talk about that. It was just another thing the American Red Cross helped me get experience at that I might not have had the opportunity to do anywhere else.

That's me telling people about Piper the Puppy.

I helped with fundraising events, and on April 12 I even got to host my own event called Piper’s Day Out. Just like any intern, I was terrified and convinced I would do it wrong and they would shun me from ever coming back. Thankfully, I’m just dramatic and that didn’t happen. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The event was hosted at Fire Station 18 and featured a bounce house, face painter and free food all to promote Piper the Puppy. Lots of smiling faces showed up and had a great time.

Not only did I learn so much, but I also had the honor of getting acquainted with some of the wonderful people associated with the American Red Cross. They really are a family and I was welcomed with open arms.

Internships are so important to have before you graduate and begin looking for a job. It shows you’ve worked hard and not taken for granted the wonderful opportunities around you.

The American Red Cross taught me things that I could have never gotten by just sitting in a classroom and I had a blast while doing it.

To join in on this great organization and get the best experience of your college career, please send your resume, cover letter and an appropriate work sample to amy.yen@redcross.org for consideration.