Four interns joined United Way this summer

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region welcomed four interns this summer – Laura Cantu (Davie, Florida), Brian Dunn (Katonah), Ian Miroff (Poughkeepsie), Deanna Tuttle (Poughkeepsie). These four students worked with and learned from United Way’s Community Impact and Marketing and Communications staff members for 10 weeks.

“Each of these interns are bright and have the potential to do great things for United Way, which benefits the community as a whole,” stated Jeannie Montano, President & CEO of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. “With the help of experienced supervisors, these interns can develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their future careers.”

Laura Cantu said that she “hopes to learn how nonprofits work from an insider’s perspective. I want to experience the rewarding feeling of giving back to the community and sharpen my marketing skills through the use of social media.” Laura plans to extend her internship into the fall semester this year.

“I decided to intern with United Way because I want to help the community in any way I possibly can,” explained Brian Dunn.

“I want to experience firsthand how the marketing department of a non-profit works, as well as develop useful administrative skills in a professional office setting,” explained Ian Miroff. “I also hope to be involved more with my community as a result of interning with United Way, because I’m from the area and want to see my community do well.”

Deanna Tuttle said she is “hoping to learn how a nonprofit operates and how it organizes events and programs to directly help members of a community. It means a great deal to me that I can help out my neighbors in the Poughkeepsie area and learn more about my hometown.”

Experience is one of the key factors that employers are looking for when searching for a competent employee for their business. Internships are a great opportunity for students who want to apply their knowledge from the classroom to real work scenarios. The eventual transition from college to a career is made much easier through an internship and seeing firsthand how things are done in a professional environment. To learn more about internship opportunities at United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, go to uwdor.org/careers#internships.

About the Summer 2019 Interns

Laura Cantu is one of two Marketing and Social Media Interns this summer. Laura will be a senior at Marist College this fall and is majoring in media studies with a focus on Film and TV. During her internship at United Way, Laura’s day-to-day tasks involved assisting in the writing, editing, translating and proofreading of marketing content for both print and digital media. She also assisted in the monitoring of social media channels and shares content related to United Way’s key priorities and impact areas in the community. Creating and publishing communication materials such as videos and media requests. Laura decided to intern at a nonprofit because she believes in the idea of experience as the best teacher in life. She wants to learn from people who are constantly interacting with the community so that she can better understand the local area. Laura’s favorite hobby is theatre and is a scholarship recipient from Club of The Theatre Arts at Marist College. For the past three years, she has been involved as an ensemble member of the musical productions the college has performed.

Brian Dunn is a Community Impact Intern for United Way this summer. He is currently enrolled at SUNY Plattsburgh and his majors are marketing and business administration. Brian’s goal was to obtain essential hands-on experience regarding the strategies and activities and business and logistical operations of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region and other nonprofit organizations. His computer, analytical and managerial skills have improved through mastering different tasks at United Way that included assisting in the coordination of volunteering and community outreach events. He also has been responsible for administrative tasks such as drafting letters of support, thank you letters, data entry, phone calls, scanning and filing. During Brian’s free time, he takes pleasure in exercising, reading and socializing.

Ian Miroff is the other Marketing and Social Media Intern this summer. Ian is a senior at SUNY New Paltz and a Marketing major. Ian’s tasks on a daily basis involve writing press releases, assisting with the management of UWDOR’s social media pages and helping with other promotional aspects for United Way. Ian chose to intern with United Way because of the excellent opportunity that the organization provided. He believes that marketing for a nonprofit can be tough work, but very rewarding since it revolves around making the community better. He wants to help the community become more aware of the good work that goes on at United Way through digital media and events. Ian’s hobbies include snowboarding and watching professional soccer. He also likes to play videogames in his spare time.

Deanna Tuttle is the Gift-In-Kind Intern this summer. She is a student at the University of Vermont and is majoring in Community and International Development.  Deanna’s tasks at United Way included volunteering when needed as well as picking up donations for UWDOR’s Gift-In-Kind program from local businesses. She also helped out with the preparation for the Day of Sharing, including sorting, cataloging, and displaying the donations. Deanna decided to intern at United Way because of the well-known reputation of the organization, as well as her desire to learn more about how a larger nonprofit works as compared to the grassroots nonprofit that she had interned at previously. She respects United Way’s mission to help the community with health, education and financial stability issues. In Deanna’s free time, she enjoys reading and spending time outdoors doing gardening or kayaking on a nearby lake. She also spends a lot of time walking dogs in her neighborhood.

 

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