Commuter Life

As I mentioned in a prior post, I’ve begun a new endeavor: working as an intern with 826CHI. After spending two years working in academia, I’ve ventured beyond the walls of Columbia and into the realm of Chicago’s nonprofit sector.

It’s been an adjustment to working nearly 40 hours a week between my part time job and my internship as well as traveling across the city to get from place to place, (sometimes in the same day) but I’m having a great time practicing old skills and learning some new ones for a cause I’m really passionate about–writing education!

My days are long, but I’m getting a lot of reading done on my commute (I’m averaging a book a week from train reading time, alone) and still have time on the weekends and in the evenings to work on my thesis. So what exactly AM I doing at work all week? Let me first tell you a little bit about 826CHI.

A Creativity Machine!

WHAT IS 826CHI?
Mission (from 826CHI website):

“826CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.”

What you should know: 826CHI is a fantastic organization located in Wicker Park that focuses on serving students in Chicago (many who are English language learners or from low-income backgrounds) with after-school homework help and tutoring, writing workshops on weekends, and field trip opportunities for classes to stretch their writing muscles and walk away from the experience as published authors.

826CHI is one of seven 826 National chapters across the country, but the first one opened in 2002 in San Fransisco, founded by award-winning author Dave Eggers and award-winning educator Nínive Calegar.

Within in the past year alone, 826 has served over 32,000 students nationwide(!) with their innovative, educational, and inspiring free(!) programming, made possible by generous donations of supporters and proceeds from sales in super secret storefronts like the Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co., a neighborhood bookstore and spy gear mart.

Sounds pretty cool right? Maybe you’re wondering if there’s something you can do? There is! 826CHI is a success thanks to a legion of wonderful and dedicated volunteers that work or behind the scenes. If you’re interested in getting involved, sign up for a volunteer orientation and visit the sites for 826CHI or 826National for more info.

Delicious Words

MY ROLE
So what do I do? A little bit of everything. 826CHI is usually buzzing with activity, and will be busier in the next few weeks as fall programming begins. I’ll be helping out with field trips when students visit the 826CHI space, but most of my work focuses on communications. I write copy, take photos, and create graphics for book promos and events, in addition to dreaming up fun and engaging campaigns that help spread the word about 826’s mission on the official website as well as social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

CHICAGO: INTERNSHIP PARADISE?
As you well know, Chicago is a huge city and with that comes a variety of businesses and organizations that can help you learn valuable skills that will help you in your career. As a writer and educator, my internship with 826CHI is a dream come true! My role allows me use my writing skills in ways I don’t always get the chance to and provides on-the-ground experience in the nonprofit sector. I’m having a blast going into 826CHI each week and can’t wait to start working with students as they come into the space.

Whatever path you want to take, from nonprofit to publishing to marketing or other forms of media, you’ll probably be able to find an internship to apply for that fits your wants/needs. Yes, internships are competitive, and yes, not all internships pay you in delicious cold, hard cash, but you can hopefully walk away with something to add to your portfolio and resume along with a wider network of professional contacts.