Amelia (Millie) Benkert (COM ’24), participated in her internship in the summer of 2023 at the Born Global Foundation.
How did you learn about this internship opportunity? What career resources from BU or elsewhere did you use during the application and interview process?
Professor recommendation
Why did you choose to apply for this particular internship?
Interest in an environmental non-profit, opportunity
What were your job responsibilities as an intern?
Make-buy analysis, SWOT analysis and Risk analysis – Operational procedures of the foundation and the project team – Marketing tactics, including archetypes in branding – Brand Management and investment approaches – Basic Financial Modeling and Life Cycle Analysis
What was the most rewarding part of your internship?
Last week I was able to attend the Transformations: Deeper Sense of Place Conference in Freeport Maine with Born Global!
What was the most challenging part of your internship?
The most challenging part of my internship so far has been the fact that it is remote. Not only is it difficult trying to communicate with the other interns and my supervisors who are everywhere around the globe, but it has been challenging to find a balance between my life and work while working from home.
What skills, technical or soft, did you develop during your internship?
During my internship, I have developed both technical and soft skills. I have learned how to better communicate with my fellow team members across several platforms. One assignment for my internship was to create a podcast episode that would highlight the work of a project called “The Riverless Forest Project” in Beirut, Lebanon. I became proficient using the software developed by Spotify for podcasters for this assignment.
What was the most memorable moment of your experience?
I really became close with several of my fellow interns this summer. While at the conference in Maine last week, I had the opportunity to camp in tents on the shore of the Casco bay, and spend several nights learning and getting to know the other interns while roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.
What is the biggest takeaway from your internship experience?
I think that many internship opportunities are exactly what you make of them, and through my internship I had the ability to put in a lot of effort toward networking, making connections and friends, as well as gaining real-world experience in the non-profit environmental sector.
What advice would you give to another student about making the most of an internship, job, or other career-related experience?
I would tell another student to dive deeply into the work they are assigned, regardless of whether or not the work is completely of interest to them. In my experience, I have had the most rewarding experiences when I evaluate a project or assignment with an open mind.
Please share any notable accomplishments or milestones you achieved during your internship.
I am in the process of getting a Biomimicry Certification
BU + Beyond 