Student Reflections

Student Reflections

Proteges are asked to write a reflection paper at the end of the Non-Profit Protege Program.

Here are a few general quotes from previous participants:

"I had a lot of time to practice my professionalism, which as a senior in college applying to a number of programs next year, is a vital skill to have."

"This experience definitely widened my horizons and it will make me a more involved member of my community in the future."

"I became aware of the need for lawyers to serve on boards of governance in community organizations, which is something I would like to do with my law degree."

"My mentor really opened up and exposed the realities of the job: the difficulties, rewards, and requirements of time.  I learned one must sacrifice to be an executive."

"This program has inspired me even more to work in the non-profit sector. because not only will I have the option to do what I love, it is required of me to love what I do."

"The student will gain valuable professional experience from the one-on-one meetings with the director of a local non-profit and leadership experience from observing this person at work."

“I had the privilege of learning about the logistics of how a non-profit operates and my mind was broadened to how great of a task a non-profit truly is.”

“This experience has made my desire to work with non-profits even greater. I loved being able to see what happens on the inside of the non-profit sector.”

 
Some of the advice they received from their mentors:

"Make plans, but be ready for them to change.  My addition to this lesson: make a plan, be ready for it to change, and when it does, continue to smile because there is something to be learned in everything you do."

"The most critical thing I learned from my mentor was how important passion is."

"The most profound thing I learned from my mentor, and I have a feeling I will continue to learn, is the way compassion and patience facilitate the greatest growth and change for individuals."

"I learned how important it is to continually change and shift the way you do business.  By sticking to old models of doing things, an organization can stagnate and under perform.  A good leader is able to encourage the organization to work through rough times and to come out ahead."

I have learned “how important it is to keep up morale within the agency, keep things positive, and yet still be realistic about threats to the organization."

I learned “the importance of being passionate about your work and in a leadership role, the importance of being connected to your team.”