After a wonderful 10 weeks working with FLOW, I am approaching my last day. This summer has been incredibly transformative. One skill I’ve been focusing on this week is communication. I’ve grown significantly in my communication skills and in understanding what works best for me. With so many moving parts in the projects, it can sometimes be challenging to determine who to speak to first. Organizing what needs to be discussed in advance and trying to understand the big picture have helped me become more efficient in communicating. Improving skills such as communication has been one of the most valuable aspects of this experience and something I will carry into my future.

After this program, I will begin a full-time position in wildfire prevention with a similarly structured organization. Thanks to my time with FLOW, I feel significantly more prepared and excited for the work ahead! I will dearly miss the FLOW team and everything we’ve accomplished together.

I also want to extend a huge thank you to the Columbus Foundation. This program is valuable for so many reasons. Being able to complete this fellowship alongside peers with similar drives, hear from experienced professionals, discuss my own experiences, and receive feedback has been invaluable. Entering the professional world can be intimidating, but having a program that offers independence while providing advice when needed has been wonderful. While I’ve known I was interested in the non-profit field for a couple of years, I needed to learn more. This summer, I’ve learned about various organizations, current policies, fundraising strategies, and the rewarding stories that come with working in the non-profit sector. Interacting with The Columbus Foundation staff and discussing the non-profit field from multiple perspectives has been eye-opening. I know the lessons I’ve learned will contribute to my future decisions and goals. Thank you to my fellow peers and Dr. Lomax for such a wonderful experience!