By Claire Moustafellos
What piqued my interest when applying to and interviewing for The Presser Foundation Internship, was the strong focus surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA). What I didn’t realize when going through this process, was that I would discover a new passion for marketing and communications.
The first project I completed along with Cassie, my fellow intern, was an in-depth analysis of the Foundation’s website, communications, and various social media platforms through a DEIA lens.
In this project, we scrutinized the various communications platforms, simultaneously formulating our own ideas for the Foundation to implement under its DEIA mission. This exercise stimulated other research digging further and further into the depths of the Foundation’s communications. These subsequent projects included research into the Foundation’s current followers, possible new followers, and organizations that have and have not been featured on the Foundation’s social media platforms. This data was organized and quantified to help create future social media marketing strategies.
I entered this internship with prior communications experience, which I have enjoyed building upon. These research projects have stirred within me a new interest in marketing and have helped foster my creativity and innovation. I have been able to marry both interests by conducting marketing research and creating sample social media posts and templates.
I have gained a newfound understanding of and appreciation for social media that stretches beyond my personal use. Within the business world, social media and communications help form and foster partnerships. Specifically, within the philanthropic world, social media holds the power to boost outreach and create mutually beneficial relationships promoting growth and progress. Furthermore, social media and communications analytics are replete with information vital to the Foundation, its marketing strategies, and its future impact.
In addition to these newly acquired interests and skills, this internship served as my first in-person internship, granting me the opportunity to experience an office and team. The energy of the office livened even the most tedious of spreadsheets and administrative tasks. Furthermore, working on the various research and special projects as a team with Cassie made each day more positive.
On my first day, Abby, the Grants & Communications Manager, asked me what I wanted to accomplish during my time at The Presser Foundation. I entered the position very open-minded and slightly unaware of exactly what I wanted, but after some reflection, I outlined the following goals:
- Further develop communication, teamwork, and time management skills while in an office setting.
- Build upon research and analysis skills.
- Learn how to build relationships with grantees and carry out the work necessary to expand impact.
- Practice networking and professionalism.
- Learn the value of asking for feedback.
Now, wrapping up my time at The Presser Foundation, I can confidently say that I accomplished all my goals I originally set out to complete.
As previously mentioned, working in-person in the office and alongside Cassie strengthened my communication, teamwork, and time management skills. Through the various research projects, such as the DEIA communications analysis, I was able to support my research and analyses capabilities. Experiences such as attending the annual board meeting and the numerous meetings Abby and Teresa included Cassie and me in allowed me to acquire the necessary tools to build relationships with grantees, network, and display myself professionally.
Finally, during my time at The Presser Foundation, I gained a professional confidence that presented itself in my ability to ask for feedback and offer opinions. Unfamiliar tasks and areas of knowledge became newfound interests rather than unwanted obstacles.
I learned to value criticism’s role in growth and discovered I have my own unique, curious mind and voice fit for the grantmaking and professional world.
Claire Moustafellos (she/her/hers) is a rising junior at George Washington University studying criminal justice and psychology. She has communications and philanthropy experience and serves as the Philanthropy Director for her sorority. Claire hopes to combine her interests in criminal and social justice, communications, and philanthropy in a career in the future after attending law school.
