The El Pomar Foundation of Colorado offers students the opportunity to partake in an internship program, which provides a rewarding summer experience for continuing undergraduate students. Colorado State University-Pueblo is fortunate to have several students from the university chosen for the internship experience this summer.

According to the foundation website, interns receive an introduction to the nonprofit sector and an opportunity to develop professional interests and skills. They work with and are mentored by leaders in philanthropy. They serve an important role by providing administrative support for the foundation’s offices.

Taylor Voss, a junior studying business management at CSU-Pueblo, has been a scholar in the El Pomar Student Leadership Experience Program for the last year and a half.

“Through that program, I saw the tremendous impact El Pomar has on this entire state, and that’s the type of organization I want to be involved in and learn from,” Voss said.

The application process includes submitting a cover letter, resume, college transcripts and two letters of recommendation. More than 50 people from across the state applied for the internship, but after the first round, only 20 people were selected for interviews, and only six students were selected as interns.

Alex Moore, a junior in the mass communications department and one of the selected students, expressed her excitement heading into the internship this summer.

“This internship will help us, as interns, gain nonprofit experience, leadership skills, and endless networking opportunities for the future. I am looking forward to the experience and working with such an amazing staff. Being able to receive this internship has been a dream of mine since high school,” Moore said.

The foundation’s website also said that interns receive assignments based upon the foundation’s needs and, to the extent possible, the interns’ interests. A weekly professional development series provides insight and practice in the professional atmosphere.

The interns from CSU-Pueblo have many strengths that they will be able to offer the El Pomar Foundation, and they anticipate growth as a result of the experience.

Timothy Zercher plans on graduating in May 2016 with an MBA in Marketing and Advertising and has expressed his expectations from the internship.

“I think my strengths are really in organized leadership, and group development. I think the area that I can most develop is effective and inspirational communication. I think that my organizational skills, my work ethic and my passion for learning and developing myself are really the skills that make me a fit for El Pomar,” Zercher said.

“What I’m really excited about is the opportunity to challenge myself in their professional development training and better myself through their leadership growth and development aspects,” Voss said. “It will also increase my knowledge of the issues around the state of Colorado and get me involved in conversations about solutions for those issues in the future.”

Past groups of interns have received training in investment, grant-making, public speaking and career planning. Individual roles and learning experiences are important but interns also receive significant interaction within the class. They have the opportunity to learn concepts through hands-on practice and receive support and guidance to develop professionally.

Voss, Moore, and Zercher have all established themselves at CSU-Pueblo as they are involved in many aspects of the campus community, and they plan on taking their practical experience with them as they start their journey as interns.

Voss is in the President’s Leadership Program, the Honors Program, HSB Dean’s Advisory Council, HSB senator for the Associated Student Government, Healy fellow at the Healy Center, past president of the Rotaract Club of Pueblo, and an intramural sports supervisor.

“All of those experiences have surrounded me with absolutely incredible people that I learned everything I could from and gave me the opportunity to challenge myself in different ways and gain confidence from my experiences,” Voss explained.

Moore has also been involved in the President’s Leadership Program for the past two years, volunteering and doing service projects.

“I believe that is what helped me to be considered for the internship. Service learning and service engagement are very important at the El Pomar Foundation. I have also volunteered for numerous organizations around Pueblo since high school, and I feel that all of that has prepared me for the internship,” Moore said.

Zercher was the 2014 President of the Associated Students’ Government at CSU-Pueblo. He has committed himself to many organizations on campus as the founding member of EnActUs, the Rotaract Club of Pueblo, and the CSU-Pueblo Marketing Club, among others.

“I personally think the most beneficial organization I have worked in as far as helping me to be prepared for El Pomar, is ASG. As president, this last year had probably the most impact because it really taught me how to manage my time and be more organized,” Zercher said.

The interns from CSU-Pueblo are well-prepared to take on the responsibility of an internship with the El Pomar Foundation and are excited to see what the future holds.