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Communications Insight: Internship through the Non-Profit Sector

Noah Layfield

COMM 495: Summer Internship

Salisbury University
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Formalities briefly handled, I was quickly thrust into the quick-paced environment of a

non-profit organization on the first day of my internship. Only having just briefly met everyone,

I was assigned to help prepare breakfast for over fifty people: I had no idea how this was going

to help me with my internship, or even help me grow and learn. I soon realized how wrong I was,

however. What I learned was that by helping make and serve breakfast for so many people I was

introduced to almost everyone in that place on the first day. Reflecting back upon my first day, I

recognize the importance of all the names I learned and connections I made that morning. This

one pivotal moment all goes back to an ordinary day at the end of the 2023 fall semester. While I

was looking for an internship for the upcoming summer, I had no idea what I wanted to do: I had

no idea of what career I even wanted to pursue. While I knew I wanted to go into the

communications field, I could not figure out where I wanted to be in that world. Following some

thought and research I then remembered a place in my hometown called the Epoch Dream

Center. Epoch is an organization that seeks to serve under-resourced children in Wicomico

County. While normally an after-school program, the organization offers a summer program to

continue supporting the children of the community. While pondering this option I wondered how

my communications skills could be useful, but finally decided to go for it and take the leap. I

contacted the owner of the Epoch Dream Center and she set me up an interview with Allison

Acree, who would later come to be my supervisor. During this interview Allison gave me a tour

of the facilities, sat down with me, and how I could be of use to them with my communications

skills and major. Following my time with Allison I realized that this would be the perfect

opportunity for myself to branch out and learn if this was the sort of career I would perhaps be

interested in for my future. I decided to pursue and explore this idea and was granted an

internship at the Epoch Dream Center for the summer of 2024. Though my time at Epoch has
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ended, I am forever grateful for the opportunities I was given and for the lessons and skills

learned that have better prepared me for a future and successful career in communications.

During my time at Epoch, I was able to truly learn which communication skills are valuable

when speaking to a larger group of adults and children. At Epoch, aside from my other duties, I

assisted in leading a classroom of fourth graders. Though the takeaways are numerous, one of the

main lessons I learned was that communication skills do not just involve speaking to other

people but rather speaking my message in a way that tailors to my audience and their needs. I

have never had the opportunity to work with children before, so learning how to communicate

effectively with them at their level was a challenge. The flow and format of how I normally talk

has been tailored to college students and adults, so this was something completely new to me. I

had to quickly adapt to this new environment and learn how to properly teach and communicate

in a way that would actively reach and engage this group of fourth graders. For instance, while

going over reading and writing, I had to put myself in their small shoes and realize that they do

not have the understanding I do about these subjects. In a sense, I had to actively learn just as

much as they did and remain flexible and open to new methods. To ensure they were able to

learn and grow, I had to learn how to carefully adjust my ordinary speech. I had never considered

this before, and this skill really helped me learn to read and assess my environment before

communicating in order to become a better speaker. Though I knew I would have to bring out a

different side of myself for the kids, I never realized how I would have to alter the way I

communicate. With time I improved upon this skill and now feel much more confident not only

in communicating with children, but also in examining my audience and determining my

approach for proper and strategic communication. The more I did this instead of just going in
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with a set approach meant for adults, the more I grew my skills and became rather successful

teaching and communicating with a group of individuals new to me.

While I was shocked to see how much I changed throughout my time with Epoch, I was

truly shocked to discover the amount of work a nonprofit requires to financially stay afloat and

run effectively. Epoch is a non-profit program for underprivileged children with the goal to

provide a safe learning environment that allows children to have fun while learning reading,

writing, and math skills along with overall life lessons. In order to ensure the organization is able

to provide such a place for Wicomico County’s children, much attention must be given to its

financials. One of the most interesting sides to a non-profit I learned about was fundraising and

finding grants. I was taught about Instrumentl, a database of grants for non-profits, and was

taught how to search this database for grants that apply to Epoch. These grants each had different

requirements, making sifting through them and applying for applicable ones very time

consuming. I found that my communications skills were highly relevant in applying for grants, as

they took communication and persuasion skills which I did not know would be needed. Along

with using this database for grants, fundraising was a big part of the non-profit world in which I

had no idea about. Epoch constantly fundraises, whether it be a planned event or just asking and

attempting to receive donations. During my time with Epoch I was able to witness and assist in

one of these fundraiser events: the Cocktail Party. I was able to sit in on fundraising meetings

and actively help come up with ideas on how to bring in money. Just sitting in these meetings

opened my eyes to how important communication skills were when calling and visiting business

and corporations to try to receive donations and support for this event. It truly amazed me how

much work and time was spent communicating with other businesses to fundraise and keep an

organization like this operating at its maximum potential, and I would have never seen this side
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of the company unless I was working and completing my internship here. As I continued

working on the financial side my passion for the cause continued to grow, as did my skills as a

communicator.

Looking back upon the experience I am so proud and grateful of how much I grew, but

one aspect in specific really changed me: the kids. Looking back at the effect I had on the

children during my time truly makes me proud of myself and quite emotional. The kids I was

working with every day came from a different background and upbringing than me and just from

the short time I spent there I was able to hear so many stories and learn about these children's

lives. It made me so much more passionate and constantly pushed me to do a better job to leave a

lasting impact on their lives. I was able to spend my birthday over the summer working at my

internship and as per tradition on my birthday I received a “birthday blessing” from a few of the

kids. This essentially is an Epoch tradition with the kids just telling me why they appreciate me

and are thankful for me. I will never forget their encouraging words as they thanked me for my

time with them and said that I put a smile on their faces every day. This is the aspect of my

internship that I can without a doubt say I am most proud of. Just knowing that teaching and

helping these kids left a lasting impression and impact on them really made me realize I made

the right decision by applying for this internship. As my skills as a communicator grew and I

learned how to adapt to my environment and shift my teaching perspective I was able to not only

increase my skills but also genuinely help these students. Reflecting on my internship, I have

come to realize there are areas where I could have approached things differently, which has led

to valuable insights for my personal and professional growth. One significant area where I feel I

let myself down was not actively seeking opportunities to work more closely with the social

media department. Social media is a field I am genuinely passionate about as I have experience
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and have seen firsthand how fulfilling and impactful it can be through my role running the social

media for the Salisbury University chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi. This role has allowed me to

thrive and develop skills that I truly enjoy. During my internship at Epoch, I missed out on

opportunities to be involved in social media projects. Looking back, I realize that I could have

taken the initiative to express my interest and ask how I could contribute to the organization’s

social media efforts. By doing so, I might have found greater enjoyment in my internship and

made even more meaningful contributions. This experience has taught me the importance of

advocating for myself and seeking out projects that align with my passions. Another area where I

felt I disappointed myself was in not asking for help when I was unsure or overwhelmed. There

were certainly moments during my internship when I encountered challenges or felt confused

about certain tasks or topics. In those situations, I hesitated to seek clarification or assistance. In

hindsight, I realize that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather an opportunity for

growth and learning. By reaching out for support when needed, I could have better navigated

these challenges and improved my overall performance. By reflecting on these moments and

embracing them as opportunities for growth, I am better equipped to approach future roles with a

more informed perspective and a proactive attitude.

After completing my internship at the Epoch Dream Center, I’ve found myself becoming

much more thoughtful and discerning about my future career decisions. When I initially chose to

undertake this internship, my main motivation was to gain valuable hands-on experience and

explore whether a non-profit field could potentially become a viable career path for me. I

approached the role with the hope that this new environment would not only enhance my skills in

communications, but could also potentially ignite a passion for a career in this field. While I did

acquire useful skills and experience, I have come to the realization that this may not be the exact
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career path I want to follow. During my time at Epoch I had the opportunity to develop a range

of new skills, which I truly value, however, upon reflection, I have recognized that my interests

and passions are more aligned with creative fields where I can fully capitalize on my creativity

and persuasive communication abilities. Although I found many aspects of the internship

enjoyable, I now understand that I am seeking a career that allows me to explore my creative side

more extensively and engage in work that feels more in line with my personal aspirations and

long-term goals. One aspect of the internship that I particularly enjoyed was the varied work

environment. I appreciated the fact that I was not confined to a desk all day and instead had the

opportunity to move around the building and engage in different tasks. As I look ahead to future

opportunities, I want to find roles that offer a similar level of variety and diversity in tasks. I

believe that working in an environment where I am able to move around and take on different

responsibilities will keep me motivated and energized, rather than disinterested and weary,

helping me to achieve my fullest potential. Another element of the internship that made a

significant impact on me was the strong sense of collaboration and teamwork among the staff.

Witnessing the dedication and collective effort of the employees, all working towards the shared

goal of benefiting the children and advancing the organization’s mission, was truly inspiring. I

witnessed the commitment and passion the staff had for their jobs, and it highlighted the

importance of working in an environment where colleagues are genuinely invested in their work.

This experience has reinforced my desire to find a career where I can be part of a team that is

dedicated to going above and beyond in their jobs. While I have realized this field may not be

right for me, however, bits and pieces of it have taught me lessons of what I do or do not want

out of a future job.

Though much more could be said about each takeaway I hold, I want to go into why I

truly cherished this experience and highlight some of the standout moments that made it so

memorable. From the moment I stepped into Epoch, I was welcomed with such warmth and

enthusiasm that immediately lifted my spirits. The infectious positivity and energy within

thebuilding impacted me and set a tone for each day I spent there. My time at Epoch was not just

about fulfilling a set number of hours; it was about contributing to something meaningful and

making a meaningful difference. This sense of purpose is hands down what I cherish most about

my internship. Every day I felt a deep satisfaction knowing that my efforts were contributing to

positive change in the community, and that was incredibly fulfilling. The personal connections I

made with everyone at Epoch were key in shaping my experience. The kindness and compassion

of my colleagues and the supportive environment made the internship not just a professional

environment but a genuinely enjoyable journey. I met so many wonderful people who have left a

lasting impression on me, and I plan to stay in touch with them after this experience concludes.

The most rewarding aspect of my internship, however, was undoubtedly the relationships I built

with the children at Epoch. These kids became a significant part of my daily routine, and I had

the privilege of forming meaningful connections with many of them. Their excitement and

curiosity were a constant source of inspiration, and their heartfelt questions about whether I

would return during the school year were both touching and bittersweet. Saying goodbye to the

incredible staff and these remarkable children will undoubtedly be one of the hardest parts of

leaving Epoch. Yet, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to contribute my skills

and grow personally and professionally in such a memorable environment. This experience has

been truly transformative, and I am grateful for every moment spent at the Epoch Dream Center.
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Before embarking on this internship, I would have never envisioned myself in a role like

this or considered such a path for my future career. However, as I reflect on this journey, I can

confidently say that while I am still uncertain about the specific direction I want to take for the

rest of my life, this internship has been instrumental in shaping both my professional and

personal outlook. The experience provided me with invaluable insights into the workings of a

non-profit organization and the dedication and effort that go into making a difference in the

community. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to witness firsthand the complexities and

challenges of the non-profit sector. It has been eye-opening to understand the behind-the-scenes

work required to support and uplift those in need. So much effort goes in, and so many people

pour out all they have into such jobs. This exposure has not only broadened my understanding of

the field but has also sparked a newfound appreciation for the dedication of those who work in

this space. Throughout my time at Epoch, I have witnessed significant personal growth. My

communication skills have notably improved, and I have become a more confident public

speaker. These are skills that I will carry with me into any future endeavor, and I challenge

myself to always look back upon my time at Epoch as a reminder of what I want to be: not only

as an employee, but as a human overall. The experience has also taught me the importance of

resilience and adaptability, as I navigated both the high points and the challenges of the

internship. Despite the ups and downs and the inevitable challenges that came along the way, I

choose to focus on the positive experiences and the lessons learned. The memories I have made

and the skills I have developed will undoubtedly be beneficial as I move forward. Even though

my time at the Epoch Dream Center was relatively brief, its impact is extensive and will continue

for years. The connections I made, the experiences I gained, and the growth I achieved are

elements that will influence my future endeavors and help me navigate whatever lies ahead. This
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internship has been a transformative chapter in my life, and I am deeply appreciative of the role

it has played in my ongoing journey. I wish I could go back to that first humid and early morning

and tell myself what the experience would be like, as I am a changed person from these past few

weeks: I have a renewed passion for communications and have seen firsthand the profound and

inspiring effect it can have.