Name: Patriciah Ogombe
Class Year: 2024
Major: Mathematics
Hometown: Mwea, Kirinyaga, Kenya
Internship Organization: Paragon One
Job Title: Non-profit Consulting Intern
Location: Remote
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
I have conducted research over the past six weeks with the College for Social Innovation (CFSI), which is in collaboration with PWC, where I have been looking for colleges that are excellent matches for CFSI's programs, Semester for Impact, and Semester for the City. Through this experience, I have researched and analyzed various educational institutions to determine their suitability for collaboration. Additionally, I have developed an outreach strategy that aims to establish fruitful partnerships and foster effective communication. As a result, my analytical skills have flourished, and I have further honed my proficiency in data-driven methodologies within this field.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I am deeply passionate about positively impacting society and believe in the transformative power of non-profit organizations. Paragon One's focus on providing actionable insights and strategic solutions to partner non-profits aligns perfectly with my career goals and values. I am particularly interested in consulting because it offers an opportunity to apply my analytical and problem-solving abilities in a collaborative and impactful way. This opportunity has been truly transformative, enabling me to transcend the traditional academic setting and propel my knowledge and skillset to new heights.
Was there anything special about how you found this internship?
I found the engagement between my fellow colleagues and our program manager to be very admirable. I admire the organization's strong commitment to social impact and creating innovative programs to support students in advancing their education and career goals.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
Being able to contribute to this process by conducting research, analyzing data, and developing strategic solutions has been incredibly fulfilling. Seeing the positive outcomes and the growth of the students involved has been my favorite aspect of this internship, as it reinforces the value and effectiveness of CFSI's mission.
What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn't expect?
While I expected collaboration to be a big part of the puzzle, an even deeper appreciation for it grew throughout those six weeks. The power of aligning resources, expertise, and networks to address social challenges has been truly eye-opening. I have gained a deeper appreciation for the collective effort required to create lasting change and the immense potential that arises when organizations come together with a shared vision.
Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you?
Working remotely has proven to be a gateway for flexibility. With it comes more time which means more personal responsibility. I have had to learn to manage my time wisely and to find ways to make working behind a computer more interesting. I have achieved this by constantly changing my environment while working in order to keep things less monotonous.
Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?
I have broadened my research and data analytical skills while working with CFSI. Given the number of projects that I have delivered, this skill is crucial as it enables me to make informed decisions, support my proposals with evidence, and identify trends and patterns that can drive strategic decision-making. I have also utilized strategic thinking since it has aided me in assessing potential opportunities, anticipating potential challenges, and aligning my recommendations with the organization's mission and vision. Additionally, I have gained valuable experience in project management and collaboration.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at your internship?
Learning how to use newly learned skills in the non-profit sector presented its own challenges. This required a lot of practice and time to adjust accordingly, but I was able to balance what I already knew and what I was currently learning. I struggled with juggling different tasks and expectations and meeting certain deadlines, but with help from our managers and fellow colleagues, I was able to slowly bring everything together.
Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?
Adjectives: collaborative, problem-solving, data-driven
Nouns: analysis, data, solutions
What is most rewarding about your internship?
The hands-on experience has truly been an eye-opener when it comes to prioritizing tasks in order to meet expected deadlines has not always been easy, but it has been very rewarding. Knowing that your work has contributed to making a social impact is easily one of the best feelings even when it was difficult at some point.
Was this internship what you expected it to be?
Yes, and more. I expected it to be fairly manageable, but it was positively challenging. This has proven to be truly pivotal this summer.
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.