What a summer as Chief of Staff Intern taught me about work and about myself
My experience acting as the Chief of Staff intern for SWLI this summer is among the most valuable and meaningful experiences I have had in preparing for both my professional career and personal future. It gave me the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of how a business operates across various departments, and rather than focusing on only one type of work, I was able to develop a much broader perspective through my work in various areas.
Throughout my internship, I was able to take on a variety of projects that strengthened my technical and professional skills. I assisted with the development and visual layout of the company’s dashboard, working with the engineering interns as I did so, participated in client outreach and research, created email templates for client engagement, and developed the Standard Operating Procedure for client onboarding and engagement. I also helped with file organization and other operational tasks, which showed me the importance of having strong systems and processes to ensure the success of a business. Having the chance to contribute to so many different areas within SWLI helped me further my existing strengths, and I continued to build my confidence in this line of work which I will carry with me as I prepare for and start my professional career.
Beyond the work itself, one of the most meaningful parts of this internship was the support and mentorship I received from Grace. I always felt encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, take ownership of my work and progress, and grow as an individual in my personal life. Grace had a way of getting me to reflect on myself and my goals for my future in such a beautiful way, and her presence and intelligence was the most inspiring thing for me to witness these past few months. My admiration is hard to put into words, but she has impacted me in such a way that I know I will always look back on my time with SWLI and continue to strive to reach the level of compassion and human bonding that she seems to so easily possess. Her mentorship has been the most valuable experience to prepare me as I enter the workforce, but also gave me insight and the reflection of myself to understand the type of professional I want to be, and the kind of person I want to be to my friends and family.
By the end of my internship, I felt much more confident in my abilities and in what I can contribute to the professional environment. I grew in communication, problem-solving, and my ability to manage projects and responsibilities independently. Most importantly, this experience has made me more excited rather than nervous for my future career, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and everything I have learned. The relationship I built, which I am looking forward to fostering, is a great asset as I continue into my young adult life. This internship far exceeded any expectations I came in with for what I hoped to gain, and will continue to have a lasting impact on me as I move forward, and I think it couldn’t have come at a better time in my life.
