By Leyla Svay, External Relations Team Member
This summer, I'm thrilled to embark on an exhilarating journey with Book Harvest as an Intern on the External Relations Team! As a rising junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Media and Journalism with a concentration in Advertising and Public relations, I'm excited to have the opportunity to sharpen my skills and learn from professionals in my field of study. But, as I take this important step in my education and career, I can't help but ponder on what being a part of this organization means to me.
Becoming an intern for a non-profit organization, such as Book Harvest, holds significant value for me not only because I believe in giving back to the community in a selfless way, but also because I understand the importance of the work done within non-profit organizations to "level the playing field" for low-income communities and families. I know this because I've been there. I have walked in the shoes of a little girl who didn't have much but desired so much more for herself in life. I was fortunate to have parents that believed in my dreams and emphasized the importance of education to me, but unfortunately, this isn't the case for many children from low-income families. I am passionate about Book Harvest's mission to transform childhood literacy because I personally understand what it's like to lack the fundamental resources needed for success.
Today, I am grateful and honored to be able to say I attend the 4th best Public University in the country, but I acknowledge that none of it would be possible without the people in my life who instilled in me the importance of literacy and reading during my childhood. Now, it's my turn to make an impact through Book Harvest.
Through this experience, I hope to expand my knowledge about media content creation and how different types of media facilitate conversations about the organization's mission. Additionally, I aim to diversify my understanding of how branding through Public Relations and outreach can influence the overall success of a non-profit organization.