Some people are simply ready to shine. They’ve invested in themselves and they are already being coached and mentored as they push themselves to new levels of achievement. This describes Julian.
Julian was a Journalism and Mass Communications major, Class of 2019, at Iowa State University. As a well-respected leader on the campus of Iowa State University, he held leadership roles in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Black Student Alliance, Campus Housing Community, and ISU Student Government.
Leap Here had the opportunity to connect Julian to a created opportunity with the Zeta Kappa Lambda Education Foundation in order to help them meet a marketing need. Now it serves as a blueprint to duplicate or improve on for ways to create value.
Below are the steps that were taken to build this opportunity along with the outcome of the videographer internship.
1. Identify a non-profit with a need
This was simple enough to do given my role on the board of the Zeta Kappa Lambda Education Foundation. There was a need to continue creating awareness of the organization, piquing interest, and attaining new donors.
2. Create a job description with clear objectives
Get the specific needs of the organization and give some autonomy on how these needs could be met. For the Foundation, there was a need to share information about the scholarships and programs the Foundation supported as well as the need to raise funds.
The specific responsibilities associated with this internship are listed below:
* Share the mission, vision, and impact of the ZKL Education Foundation through video media
* Help communicate the educational and leadership needs of students of color
* Other assignments if required
3. Raise funds for the professional development/internship opportunity
Funds can be raised and allocated toward these opportunities. The organization will receive the support for a project they need help with, and donors are able to become a part of sharing forward an opportunity.
4. Partner with a local staffing agency to help select a candidate
To avoid conflict of interest, Leap Here chose to partner with The Palmer Group to help screen and select candidates. The Palmer Group has been a consistent supporter of the ZKL Education Foundation through their attendance at the Black and Gold Scholarship Ball and they understand the Foundation’s mission. It was an easy decision to partner with them to handle the screening and selection of the candidate for this specific opportunity. Brian Berry agreed to provide the support and we connected to discuss requirements.
5. Identify community partners to provide mentoring, shadowing opportunities, and feedback
G.Thomas Ferguson was asked to help provide mentoring and feedback prior to the selection of the intern. He is an Iowa State Alumni and left his mark on ISU with a social documentary called “Black by Popular Demand.” G.Thomas has experience in the commercial production world as well as expanded production skills directing and editing music videos and I thought he was a logical fit to help provide mentoring, direction, and feedback on this opportunity.
Leap Here also wanted to provide an opportunity to do some job shadowing at a news station with a video and photography professional. Julian expressed interest in exploring production setup, structure, and operations. Randy Schumacher, an award-winning Photojournalist, happily agreed to coordinate a date and time to have Julian come in and check out what they do at WHOTV Channel 13 News.
6. Clarify expectations and the connections needed to complete the objectives
Once Julian was aware of the objectives and had a list of people to connect with he began building the storyline, connecting with board members and students, and filming interviews.
7. Continue to provide guidance, connections, and facilitate feedback
Through-out the project, open and honest feedback came from G.Thomas Ferguson on things such as the stability of videos, selection of b-roll, lighting, and the consistency of video theme. Additional feedback came from members of the board to add additional information and edits that would be helpful. With the right candidate, clear expectations, access to resources, and consistent feedback, the project moved along and was ready to present at Black and Gold Scholarship Ball where $15K was awarded to seven students.
Opportunities are waiting on action
With the right drive and commitment, needs that have not been addressed in non-profit organizations can be resolved. Not only can the right solutions be created, but regular people and organizations of all sizes can become a part of meaningful work experiences.
Is your non-profit interested in creating an opportunity like this for someone in 2020? If so, we would love to partner with you understand your needs, and begin plans to create an opportunity.
