When Palagi learned she was moving to Houston for the summer, it didn't stop her from finding a great internship that fit with her major and career plans post-college.
“I had wanted to gain nonprofit experience during the summer because of my interest in working for one after graduation from Concordia, but I couldn’t spend my summer working in an unpaid position,” Palagi said.
According to its website, Jewish Family Service is involved in community outreach, counseling, disability services, chaplaincy, hospice and senior services.
Palagi was hired at JFS as the social media and marketing intern, working under Gloria Ribnick, the director of PR/Marketing.
“My main focus is building a social media calendar to promote the numerous programs and causes it stands for,” Palagi said. “I also work with two organizations within JFS – one is the Neighbors 4 Neighbors Network, which facilitates assistance and builds community for seniors wanting to age-in-place, and the second is the Celebration Company, a social enterprise that provides employment to individuals with disabilities.”
After taking a marketing and sales course at Concordia, Palagi was pointed in the direction of working for nonprofits to gain intern experience.
This isn’t her first interaction with a nonprofit organization and it won't be her last.
“My mom was the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Butte, Mont., for several years, and I would often volunteer for the organization and see what went on behind the scenes of a successful nonprofit,” she said.
Not only does Palagi have experience with nonprofits through her mother, she hopes to continue to work in this field up to and after graduation. In the fall, she will participate in a co-op with the Immigrant Development Center in Moorhead.
“This summer, I am hoping to gain practical knowledge and useful skills that can be applied at any organization I work for after graduation,” Palagi said.