DS-Connex Internship Reflection

During my STEP Signature Project, I interned for a non-profit called DS-Connex. Their main goal is to provide fundraising software for down syndrome communities. While interning, I worked on researching platforms that their partners could use to host fundraising events online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with that, I created step-by-step guides for each of these platforms (including YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Instagram Live and Zoom) in order for the partners to have an easier time transitioning to this new way of fundraising.

Before this experience, I had never worked in the non-profit world or even didn’t know much about it. Thanks to this signature project, I was able to learn so much about how non-profits work and how important they are to the communities around us. Without the fundraising software and social media expertise that DS-Connex provides, these Down Syndrome communities around the United States would not be able to raise as much money as they do for the cause, and children with Down Syndrome would not have as many opportunities as they do now. This really reminded me how important it is to give back to communities, and even created an interest in the non-profit world as a future career.

The team that I worked with at DS-Connex played a large part in my overall experience during this signature project. While the entire team had been working with Down Syndrome communities for a long time, and one of the team members had a son with Down Syndrome, I had never interacted with so many passionate people about this cause. Due to the fact that there was a pandemic happening during my signature project, I was unable to meet everyone that worked at the non-profit because many decided to work remotely, even the three amazing women that I worked with made a huge difference. The passion that they shared with me for helping these Down Syndrome communities around the country definitely stuck with me and it was infectious. Covid-19 ruined many fundraising events and our team shared this passion of helping in order to help the partners come up with new ideas for fundraising as well as new concepts in order to engage with people on social media more.

I think the most eye-opening part of my experience was working on a specific event for weeks, trying to make their fundraising efforts the best possible and then seeing this virtual event come to life. Many children with Down Syndrome look forward to Buddy Walks because they get to have fun and interact with their friends, but this was no longer possible because of the pandemic. Being able to help create a functional virtual event that was both fun for the community but also effective in the fundraising strategies was so crucial, and it was amazing to be a part of that entire effort.

Learning all about the world of non-profits really changed my outlook on the business world. I had never thought about going into the non-profit sector as a future career, but after learning more about it, I will now consider this sector when looking for a job in the future. I learned how rewarding it is when you work with communities around the United States, helping them achieve their goals, whether that be in fundraising, being more noticeable on social media, or finding sponsors.

I felt transformed by the experience because of the amazing people that I was able to meet and learn their stories within the Down Syndrome community, and it has sparked me to further interact as well as help this wonderful community not just within Ohio, but within the United States as a whole. Through this internship, I realized that it is not only important for me to feel valued within a business that I am working for, but also to see the value that the business is bringing to the community, no matter how big or small, and I know that in the future when I look for a full time job, I will be looking to make sure that the company is having a good impact on its employees as well as its environment. Having and understanding of the non-profit sector after this transformational internship, I now value companies that have a philanthropic element to their work, because I learned how important it is to give back to communities around us.

One thought on “DS-Connex Internship Reflection

  1. Simona-It’s great that this internship opportunity opened a new door in terms of the types of organizations you may one day work for! I’m glad you were able to help this organization during such a challenging summer. Best of luck on your journey at Ohio State!

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