"I'm looking for internships that will allow me to help others, more specifically kids, and better get to know [the organization], as well as myself," said Tessa Gordon, a senior Hutchins and Spanish student who attended this year's annual Service and Internship Fair.
On August 31st, the CCE and SSU welcomed over 60 organizations to campus for the annual Service and Internship Fair. Students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Salazar quad hoping to learn more about the different projects and programs that play an essential role in helping our community thrive. Despite the looming heat, a sea of smiles and the humming of conversations set the scene as organizations shared their unique volunteer and internship opportunities. Some students were hoping to find internships that met the requirements of their classes, but for others, their search for the right internship had a much more long-term goal. Matthew Enterline and Bobby Hougen Jr., both juniors in the Political Science department, took a moment to tell us what they were hoping to find at this year's fair: "I am looking for an internship that lets me see the world and also build experience towards what I can do in the future", explained Enterline. "What I look for in an internship is opportunities for after you graduate", added Hougen.
[Related: Read about last year's Service & Internship Fair]
The fair is not only for the benefit of the students however. A great advantage for the organizations that attend the Service and Internship Fair is the ability to mingle with the other groups and agencies to form relationships and potentially collaborate efforts. "We're here because we are very community based, we love to be in the community and we want the community to know all about us", said Kim Courtney from Positive Images in Santa Rosa.
While tabling, the Latino Service Providers took the opportunity to network and share information with both students and faculty. They said that their program, "Work Force Development was excited to have found so many potential bi-cultural students." SSU students have a lot to offer local nonprofits and vice versa! This event is a great way to kickstart the new school year by promoting the importance of civic engagement.
To see more photos from the Fair, take a look at this slideshow.