A "Think and Do" Tank
Learn more about the Engage Florida Internship from our previous interns!
I’d just like to start by saying that interning for Engage was such an enjoyable, fulfilling, and time-worthy experience, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who is interested. What I remember most about the six weeks are the thought exercises facilitated by Manda and Andrew that forced me to think critically about my orientation and stance on issues that are of concern, and how to problem solve in an effective way that works for everybody. Though the Grace Marketplace volunteer portal and P4H video is still a work in progress, we’ve come a long way this summer by meeting with Mrs. Abigail and Cam and getting to the bottom of what they both need and want of Engage in order to make the project work for all parties involved. I feel that Manda’s training on power dynamics, interpersonal communication, and effective organizational strategies gave me valuable tools to navigate the challenges and misunderstandings that would have otherwise slowed our progress. I feel confident going into this next school year that Engage will be an effective force for advocacy and change in the UF and Gainesville communities, and I am sure that I have a better understanding of how to address issues that we are faced with after interning this summer.
-Madi Cordle
I am inspired by the intentionality of Engage leaders and fellows, the true drive to serve well shared by the students in Engage, and community partners’ continual push to receive the consideration they deserve, rather than giving up on a university which has failed them and silenced their voices countless times. As a fellow and then intern, I have been surrounded by students who are not just well-intentioned but who actually ensure their intentions are beneficial to solving issues. I have witnessed the community’s display of persistence and refusal to be silenced, and learned about corruption and how to continue fighting to grow positive projects despite the obstacles of intentionally-created adversity. What stands out to me about this program is the intentionality, attention to detail and empathy displayed by the individuals involved. Prior to becoming an Engage fellow and intern, I learned about critical service learning and was searching for ways to serve my community by working alongside them to solve issues they know deeply and experience daily. Engage presented an opportunity to do exactly this and more. The aspect of this program that surprised me the most was the way in which I was challenged. As an intern and fellow, Engage pushed and encouraged me to hold myself accountable, and to fully commit myself to giving my best effort and energy to community partners. I was faced by numerous opportunities to problem-solve, to navigate logistical difficulties as I would in a real job, and to improve the skill of critical listening and analysis. I expected to eventually contribute to the expansion of community capacity and the development and improvement of the relationship between UF and the greater Gainesville area, but I did not foresee the growth that I would also undergo as an individual. During this program, I grew personally and professionally. I identified and applied aspects of my own experience and perspectives to real projects, supported and approved by Gainesville community members. I learned how to organize in order to be the most helpful and supportive to community members. I became a more patient, responsible, confident and clear-headed person. Through Engage, I formed genuine, valuable and inspiring relationships, I gained a better understanding of how I want to serve in the present and future, and I changed in many small, deep ways. Although I did not aid in the “completion” of a project, I was able to learn about the problems facing my community, understand how to better face these problems, and begin planning and implementing some solutions. I grew into more of an adult because I felt respected and trusted by other Engage fellows and leadership. I had autonomy in my decisions and actions, and although it was scary for my peers and leaders to fully trust my judgement, it also allowed me to take full responsibility for projects and ideas, and to grow into a more independent, skilled, confident and whole person. So far, my experience at UF has been very positive, but nothing has felt more right than being a part of Engage.
-Sophia De La Cruz
During the Summer internship I learned that the word community can have different meanings to different people. Many factors can determine how they use this word and what communities they place themselves in. I learned that when looking at any problem you have to look at all the different communities involved to gather the correct information. This means by going to the source and really talking to these communities. Many people tend to think they have an amazing solution to a problem but don’t reach out to those facing the problem to see what they really need. My time during the internship, I was able to build a better communication system that each lab can use. This will help Engage in the long-run for record keeping. I was also able to start developing a plan for on campus and social media tactics to make Engage more known to students. I’m also helping with the Community Development Office. Our community partners are what inspired me the most because they are working on sustainable solutions to problems in the community. They are helping the community in the long-run and creating a real change. That is why I can’t wait for Engage to share what we are doing to help out these organizations.
-Julie Cox
