Leading EDGE

Student Spotlight
Leah Woldemariam
Leading EDGE Alum & Recent Grad

We checked in with George Mason University graduate and Leading EDGE alum, Leah Woldemariam, on her career journey from intern to full-time hire at Further.

TNPA: Hi Leah! Can you first tell us about yourself and what sparked your interest in the nonprofit sector?

Leah: I attended George Mason University and graduated in December of 2023 with a major in Psychology. Having a concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, I initially thought I would go down the Human Resources track. I then became involved in my school’s Black Student Alliance organization, where I served as assistant treasurer. My time there sparked an interest in service and advocacy-oriented work, and my goals shifted. I later interned with a nonprofit called Reclaim Eritrea – an online news platform and advocacy group aiming to educate the public about civic issues and help people become advocates for social progress.

————————————–

TNPA: Love that! As many may know, you then found an internship through our Leading EDGE program last summer. Why did you decide to find an internship at that time and how did you prepare for it?

Leah: As last summer was the last before my college career ended, I wanted to find an internship to clarify what I wanted to pursue after school and gain further experience. I knew I wanted to work in the nonprofit sector in some capacity, but I wasn’t sure where to start. My friend, a member of last year’s TNPA Leading EDGE cohort, informed me of the upcoming opportunity and encouraged me to apply. A tool I utilized to assist me in the process was attending one of my school’s resume clinics. They provided me with resources on resume templates and cover letter writing that were helpful overall when writing my application.

————————————–

TNPA: Such a great example of what it looks like to tap into your network and resources! So walk us through your internship at Further. What was it like?

Leah:  My time at Further began with my team showing me the ropes of the digital marketing field and the nonprofit sector. Some clients I worked with included animal welfare and family healthcare organizations. My tasks included writing weekly reports on advertisement performance and optimizing advertisement platforms for better results. I was also able to use my research skills to research industry and social media trends, which helped inform strategy. Aside from work, I also joined the team on monthly happy hour outings, which were always a fun time!

————————————–

TNPA: Congrats on being hired by Further full-time! How excited were you to receive that offer and what made you want to continue there?

Leah:  I was thrilled to receive my offer from Further to continue as a full-time employee! My time as an intern was incredibly informative and impactful in building my skill set. I knew that if I joined the team, I would only be surrounded by people willing to help me learn and grow. I also strongly aligned with Further’s values on collaboration and innovation and wanted to continue to work in such a culture. Ultimately, I loved working with nonprofits, and the opportunity to continue that work and help make a difference was impossible to pass up.

————————————–

TNPA: We all were so excited for you as well. So what are some lessons you learned during your journey from intern to full-time? What would you tell others who wish to do the same?

Leah: One of the key takeaways I learned during my journey was to be as interested and receptive to new information as possible. My internship was an essential building block in my career journey and instrumental in teaching me relevant skills. I would tell others who want to do the same to be bold and take initiative. Sometimes, opportunities do not always present themselves; you must create them yourself. Doing so and prioritizing your learning during your internship can only help you as you enter the workforce.

————————————–

TNPA: Such great advice! Before you go, is there anything else you want to share on why a student should consider an internship as part of their career journey?

Leah: Because internships give students crucial real-world experience that a classroom can’t always provide, they should be viewed as an integral part of their career journey. Through internships, students can apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, deepening their grasp of their topic of study. They also provide opportunities to explore other career routes before settling into a full-time position and expanding professional networks. Internships can bridge the gap between college and employment, and students who consider doing one will most likely find themselves all the more successful for it.

Contact Leah

Email: leahw141@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Leah Woldemariam

See past student
spotlights here.