All students were paired with a local non-profit or government organization for their internship, funded by the program grant. This unique learning opportunity provides hands-on job experience while allowing students to help improve life in rural North Carolina.
Learn more about the SECU Public Fellows and hear about their experiences in their own words:
"As I grow into my major, I have built a passion for learning and excitement to put my knowledge into practice. I researched the MANNA Food Bank non-profit and realized that they stood for everything that I wanted to do and be. Without the financial support of the SECU program this experience would not have been possible for me.
The ability to not only be out in the field helping people, but also learning the logistics of outreach — this type of work I feel is my calling, so it truly is a blessing to intern with MANNA and really get my foot in the door with experiences that will make a difference."
“The SECU Public Fellows Internship allows me to directly work with and help members of our community while learning a lot about neuroscience and psychology, as well as practice implementing therapeutic interventions and gain experience working with individuals with disabilities.”
Hinds Feet Farm provides day and residential programs for people living with brain injury that embraces a holistic approach.
“I heard spectacular things about the SECU Public Fellows Internship program from Lauren DeHaan in the Career Center. I was so excited by how many natural science internships were represented, I knew I would have a fulfilling summer that would give me valuable experiences to move forward with a career in the natural sciences.
The WNC Nature Center connects people to the natural world, which is something I wish to do in my future career. My specific internship is to co-lead the Young Naturalist Program, a program that allows teens to work with the public in a place where they can show their love for animals. I want to be there for the teens as a role model, leader, and educator.”
“I was drawn to the opportunity to work for an organization that is actually trying to do good in our local community, and I couldn't have gotten luckier with my site. What interests me the most about Mountain BizWorks is all the support and funding they do for small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs.
Mountain BizWorks is playing a large role in the distribution of grant money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to North Carolina communities, which comes straight from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. It's been really cool to see how policy can actually make a difference in our communities, as well as learning about all the new ‘green’ initiatives.”
“I have a passion for helping others and am very excited to get this opportunity to gain more experience in the nonprofit world.
My internship with Children First/Communities in Schools is a great place to work at, the people are friendly and knowledgeable. Their mission of bringing up a community is inspiring.”
“I decided to be a part of the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program because it allowed me to have the opportunity of a paid internship with my dream site!
RiverLink, my internship site, interests me because it gives me a well-rounded experience of working with a nonprofit organization, continuous management of conservation projects, and how to restore and take care of the French Broad River.”
“I was excited to get an internship, and when I saw that there were options for the US Forestry Service and the Botanical Gardens, I knew that I wanted to try to get in.
I want to work with the US Forestry Service in the future so I was hoping to understand the work environment a little better, as well as get a deeper understanding of the different options that will be available as an intern and in my future career.”
“I decided to participate in the program because I wanted to explore a potential career avenue, animal rescue and rehabilitation, to see whether that was what I wanted to do after I graduate.
My site, Appalachian Wild Animal Rescue, interests me because it is an opportunity to learn all the different facets of animal rehabilitation in one place. I am also using this opportunity to become more familiar with the types of wildlife found in the Asheville area, and what they need to thrive in terms of habitat, diet, and enrichment.”
“As a SECU People Helping People scholarship recipient, I knew once I saw the SECU Public Fellows program this was something to become involved in.
The Asheville Botanical Gardens had always interested me from the moment I moved into West Ridge my first year. It held so much potential, and I wanted to be a part of the team that elevated the space. I’ve been doing just that, albeit through a ton of manual labor and hard work, but it has been rewarding to already see the work I’m doing change a space and contribute to the community. I’m excited to build other skills, such as native plant ID, propagation, and public education.”
“I decided to be a part of the SECU Public Fellows Internship program because I found a passion for working with animals while volunteering at our local Humane Society, and the UNC Asheville Career Center helped guide me to Asheville Humane’s site opportunity!
I hope to pursue a career as a Veterinarian Technician once I graduate, so being able to work hands-on with animals, vets, and people very experienced in animal welfare is such a blessing.”
“I decided to be a part of the SECU Public Fellows program because it looked like a great opportunity to get into the workforce in Asheville, as well as do an internship and get credits through the school simultaneously.
My internship site, the YMCA, particularly interested me because I have always grown up going to the YMCA and have done many of their summer camps as well as seasonal sports. It is truly a great organization and I am excited to be a part of it.”
All Souls Counseling Center
“Through the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, I was able to work with All Souls Counseling Center, integrating my passions for mental health care and serving the underinsured and uninsured community within Asheville.
My internship site allowed me to gain knowledge on how a nonprofit organization gives high quality, compassionate mental health care services and education while ensuring that cost is not a barrier to their patients in WNC.”
“I was already on the lookout for an internship that I would be able to participate in this summer. Through the Career Center, I was fortunate enough to be referred to the SECU Internship opportunity, where I was able to accomplish my goal and secure a position interning at Asheville Art Museum!
I am fascinated with a variety of aspects of my position at the Asheville Art Museum, including the curation of exhibitions and events, the professional side of the art world, the workings of a museum, and how they navigate the different exhibitions and events.”
“I decided to be a part of the SECU Public Fellows program because I thought it would be a great way to support my community and further my journey in public service.
My internship site, Pisgah Legal Services, helps me do just that by providing low income communities with free legal services.”
“When I first learned about the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program, I was sure that this would be a great opportunity for me to get some exposure in the workforce. I looked at the sites looking to hire and loved what I saw.
I am an intern at the Forest Service and I am most interested in being involved in a government agency that works to protect natural resources. I am thrilled to be a part of this program.”
"We mainly focused on working with educational outreach towards everybody who visits the forest but especially kids who aren’t given the opportunity to go out as much.
We were able to educate people on how they can be environmentally friendly while also having fun in the forest. This internship and the SECU program gave me not only learning and work experience but figuring out how to present myself and use my opportunities to the best of my ability."
When I saw Bounty & Soul on the list of internship sites, I immediately wanted to apply. I had volunteered for them in the past, so I was familiar with their mission and felt very aligned with it. I’ve always had an interest in growing food, and I’m very passionate to be a part of a team that fights for food security.
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