Internships
Thank you for your interest in the Make-A-Wish Foundation® and our internship program. Internship opportunities are available in our Austin and San Antonio offices every fall, spring, and summer semester. Please review our internship job description and if interested, follow the application instructions and submit to our Wish Manager, Kathryn Draper. For additional information on internship opportunities, please contact Kathryn Draper by email or phone (512) 329-9474 or (800) 880-9474 toll-free.
Jessi’s Internship Experience
I
t is entirely possible that the good folks at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas thought I would never stop being an intern, and I don’t blame them in the least. I worked as an intern with Make-A-Wish for an entire year, which means I had my hands in almost all the different areas of the office. It’s the best internship any person with a big heart can ask for, and I highly recommend it to students.
I started as a Wish Intern, and never in my life did I think I’d be on the phone with Brunswick trying to learn about bowling pins and bowling balls that would be safest for David, who was in a wheelchair, or that I’d have the opportunity to be on the phone, almost every day, with my “boyfriend” (that’s what everyone in the office called Justin) discussing how awesome the newest MacBook Pro was trying to figure out his definition of a “fully loaded laptop.”
Words honestly fail me when I try to explain how spectacular it is to be able to give a Wish Kid the wish you’ve worked on for them. I was there when Justin got his laptop to see the smile light up his face. Watching David roll his personalized bowling ball down this ball ramp and into his brand new pins almost made me cry. He was so happy! That’s the important thing to keep in mind on rough days: I’m doing this for something bigger than myself, and this day will be well worth it.
My biggest undertaking as an intern was working on the 25th Anniversary Gala, Cinderella’s Ball. Cinderella’s Ball taught me how seriously important organization, patience, budgeting, and communication actually are in real life. As a Gala Liaison I worked countless hours logging auction items, making Power Points, proof-reading, making calls, and helping decide on logistics of how we would pull off this massive, wonderful event. Really, I was actually allowed to do a lot of the planning, and my opinions mattered. I’ll never forget the night of the gala. I was so tired, and I worried that something wouldn’t go right. However, despite my aching feet, Cinderella’s Ball was a huge success. I actually count it as one of my proudest moments in life so far.
So why should you be a Make-A-Wish intern? For starters, you will learn tons about working in an office setting and working with a nonprofit organization. Second of all, the staff is phenomenal! These people aren’t like some of your professors – they want you to learn and grow. Thirdly, you are doing something that is so much bigger than you sometimes remember. That in itself should make you want to work with Make-A-Wish. At the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas, you’ll gain experience, you’ll make new friends, and I promise you will change your life.
Noelle’s Internship Experience
Before I obtained an internship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas, I had been affiliated with the Foundation for quite some time. My Father is an executive employee at one of the Foundation’s largest sponsors, Zale Corporation, and my family has attended events such as Wish Night, as well as local golf tournaments, to support the North Texas chapter. I’ve always admired the Foundation’s mission, so when I heard about an internship opportunity, I was immediately intrigued and enthusiastic about the possibility. I majored in public relations while I was in college, and the nonprofit sector has always been my main interest. Securing an internship position with one of the world’s largest and most respected nonprofit organizations was an experience to which no other internship will ever compare.
While an intern with Make-A-Wish, I worked closely with the Program and Marketing/Public Relations/Special Events departments. With Program, I served as liaison between Wish families and the Program Managers. From interviewing Wish Kids, contacting volunteers, requesting in-kind donations, to researching fun opportunities to insure the most magical Wish possible, I was truly hands-on and engaged with the Wish experience, which was incredibly special. I also made it a point to fully get all that I could out of my internship, which is why I did many things outside of regular internship hours, such as volunteered at Wish parties on the weekends and dedicated my personal time to be a Wish Granter.
I also interned during the semester of the Foundation’s first-ever black-tie event, the 25th Anniversary Gala, Cinderella’s Ball, which is where I worked closely with the Marketing/Public Relations/Special Events department. I assisted the department with sponsorship packets and auction items, researched possible sponsors and communicated with many donors, volunteers and Wish family attendees in preparation to the event. After spending the entire semester anticipating Cinderella’s Ball, along with all the teamwork and dedication – no matter how hectic some days were – the night of the event was literally magical. The Foundation reached its goal in donations, and to know that all the hard work would allow for a handful of Wish kids to receive their wish was life-giving.
As an intern at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas, I walked away with a rich experience in how public relations and communication is used in the nonprofit sector to promote volunteer coordination, advocacy and awareness. I was exposed to a professional setting, but was surrounded by people who want to be at work every day, because they know they are working for something much bigger then themselves, which is what makes this Foundation so incredible. To this day, I am a dedicated Wish Granter at my hometown’s chapter, and I recommend all to apply for this internship with one of the world’s most respected and noble organizations.
Morgan’s Internship Experience
My internship at the
Make-A-Wish Foundation has been truly magical. The staff is welcoming and values each intern’s help on all aspects of wish-granting, event planning and other necessary duties. This hands-on internship has been fast-paced, educational and, most importantly, meaningful.
When my internship started, I immediately began working with the Director of Development on the KASE 101 Make-A-Wish Radiothon. I made phone calls to volunteers and wish families, organized the schedule for the event, gathered supplies as needed and created a media book consisting of wish kid biographies and pictures. I improved my communication and organizational skills during this process. During the two-day event, I helped coordinate volunteers, assist with the phone bank, and accept donations.
My favorite part of the Radiothon was meeting the wish kids and their families. Their strength during such a difficult time and the joy they expressed when talking about their wish was inspirational and moving. It was an incredible experience to interact with each wish child and to listen to their stories during their live interviews on the radio. After helping grant some of these children’s wishes, it was very special to see in person the impact it has made on their lives. This annual fundraiser raised almost $350,000 in two days, which will help the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas grant around 70 wishes this year. To know that I helped make this event a success was rewarding and one that I will never forget!
The members of the Foundation devote their time to making wishes come true for each deserving child. Each day, I left the Make-A-Wish office feeling gratified and inspired, knowing that I helped make a difference in a wish child’s life. I could not have asked for a better internship and I will continue to learn from those experiences and treasure the friendships I made at the
Make-A-Wish Foundation.
