Liberal Arts Voices

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My Internship with The Franklin Institute: Part 2

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As you might recall from my previous post, I spent this past summer in an internship with The Franklin Institute Development Team in Philadelphia, where I completed a lot of different assignments in support of a development campaign to raise funds for a building expansion and the refurbishment of some exhibits.

During my internship, I learned that my biggest project would be to plan and coordinate a Summer IMAX cultivation event in early July.  After experiencing a perfectly planned event during my first week on the job, I felt a lot of pressure to get everything prepared and executed successfully.  I am incredibly grateful that I was given the opportunity to take on this project because it allowed me to use the skills that I have learned at Penn State as an English major. I spent a lot of time writing the event invitation and communicating with other departments at the museum, and I even drafted a short speech for the President and CEO of The Franklin Institute to deliver on the night of the event!  Although this cultivation event was on a much smaller scale than the initial event that I assisted with in May, I learned that I have all of the skills needed to put together a successful cultivation event.  I felt very proud of myself on that evening, and I also realized that I could certainly see myself pursuing a career that would allow me to work collaboratively to create productive cultivation events.

TFI’s Grants and Communications Coordinator offered me the chance to condense and write a grant proposal in late July.  She treated me like a professional and allowed me to take on the project without much supervision, which I truly appreciated because I knew she trusted that I would get the job done in a timely manner.  The task was a lot more challenging than I initially thought it would be; the language used in a grant proposal is very formal and respectful, and it took me a few tries to get this down.  After multiple drafts and much editing, I mailed the proposal to its destination and crossed my fingers for the best outcome.

Like many interns in a variety of workplaces, I was assigned to work on organizational projects throughout the summer, such as filing, stuffing mail, and putting together packets and spreadsheets.  Surprisingly, these experiences were some of the most worthwhile for me because I discovered the inner workings of an office and everything that needs to be done on a daily basis.  I never looked down upon these seemingly mundane projects because I knew that every assignment would help me learn more. 

One of the most beneficial aspects of interning with the Development team at The Franklin Institute was sitting in on meetings and taking notes.  This may sound boring to some, but I absorbed so much valuable information from all of the team members.  I even took notes on the types of language that was used by my supervisors in different meetings, whether it was an informal and relaxed gathering or a serious talk about important, confidential information.  I am blessed that I got to observe such professional individuals that offered a bounty of experience and expertise in the field.

Finally, the people at The Franklin Institute truly made my experience all the more fulfilling and positive. A contagious optimism exists on the fourth floor, home to the Development Department at TFI.  Everyone openly shares their goals and achievements and encourages their peers to accomplish even more than they had originally set out to do.  Apart from simply being co-workers, the TFI Development Team members are loyal friends working for the same results.  One of the most memorable moments of my summer took place at a department celebration when the campaign goal was achieved.  It was easy to see the genuine joy and appreciation that each team member felt toward one another in accomplishing this tremendous goal.  I hope that someday I can also play a role in making big strides for an organization that I believe in.

I have learned more than I could have ever imagined this summer at The Franklin Institute. The people that make up the Development Department ultimately made my experience an unforgettable one.  I would also be remiss not to thank my Penn State liberal arts education for providing me with the skills and strong work ethic needed to be a successful asset in this role.  Never again will I underestimate the value of my English major.  I am still unsure of where exactly it will take me once I throw my graduation cap high in the air, but I now feel confident after this internship experience that it could lead me toward very gratifying work. 

A Gratifying Summer at The Franklin Institute

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The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaSix months ago I found myself sitting on the couch in my cozy Beaver Avenue apartment, frustrated, bewildered and stressed about a recurring conversation that I had with my parents during Christmas break.  The brief chat always started with Mom or Dad asking, “Have you applied for any internships yet?”  I feel confident that this conversation occurs in many households once a child reaches their junior year of college and becomes an adult. Although my response to my parents’ nagging was always a quick and forceful “yes,” I did not feel as self-assured about my internship search as I appeared.   

The process was daunting, and as an English major, I did not see the clearly defined career path before me that students in other fields seem to have.  Education majors student teach, pre-medical students intern at hospitals, and journalism majors write for any publication that they can get their hands on.  What does an English major do to prepare for life after graduation?

After reading description after description of position requirements and responsibilities, I started to doubt my choice to major in English.  While browsing position openings online, I frequently found myself asking, “Am I qualified for this?” Naturally, I felt self-conscious and disappointed that my major appeared to be in such low demand in the ‘real world.’

Once I realized that internships specifically seeking English majors would be few and far between, I developed a new approach to my search.  I took to writing, as most English majors tend to do, and I composed a list of my best skills: writing, comprehensive reading, and effective communication.  I decided to skim a few position descriptions again only to discover that my skills were actually wanted in great abundance.  With a big grin on my face and a new outlook on all that I have to offer, I wrote many cover letters and filled out a multitude of applications.

In April I was offered a summer internship with The Franklin Institute Development Team.  I eagerly accepted the position but felt that I would stand out as an unqualified liberal arts student come summer.  After all, I did not know much about development, and I had no previous experience in the field.  My courses at Penn State almost always consisted of reading literature, analyzing through discussion, and then writing about my findings.  I felt absolutely certain that my experiences would not help me connect well in the world of development. However, as I began spending more time with different members of the Institute’s Development team, I quickly realized that perhaps I had found a future career route to venture down after my time at Penn State was complete.

When I started in May, The Franklin Institute was nearing the final stretch of a monumental campaign to raise funds for a building expansion and the refurbishment of a few exhibits, including the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.  Therefore, this was an exciting time to begin my internship.  The opportunities that I was given throughout the summer allowed me to learn and feel like a part of something much bigger during such a special era for the museum.  It was impressed upon me early on that every meeting and cultivation event mattered greatly.

Within the first week of my internship, I stayed at the museum after-hours to help the department with one of many cultivation events that are held each year.  I must admit that I was intimidated and nervous at first.  After all, my superiors had built lasting relationships with donors in the Greater Philadelphia area and beyond, and the last thing that I wanted to do was make a bad first impression.  I stood at the registration table at the beginning of the evening simply watching in awe at the interactions occurring around me.  It was an “all hands on deck” situation as my direct supervisor likes to say, and every team member strategically and gracefully worked their way around the museum floor to greet and thank the supporters of The Franklin Institute.  By the end of a very successful night, I came to the conclusion that development is not just about soliciting and searching for prospects, it is about cultivating a mutually trusting relationship between an organization and its supporters.  Donors need to believe in what they are supporting, and the Institute’s Development Team is a strong advocate for everything that the museum represents and for the good that it does for the City of Philadelphia.

I learned quite a bit during my internship at The Franklin Institute, and I’ll share more about the projects I worked on in my next post.

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