I began the application process for the CAPS fellowship by working on a personal statement which took me days – even weeks – to complete. Coming to Valparaiso University, I had struggled trying to simply decide what I wanted to study. Now I found myself sitting in front of a blank page on my computer screen struggling to discuss what my interests were or what possible career endeavors I hoped for in the near future. The only thing I have been certain of since childhood is my desire to help others. Throughout my life, numerous things such as hobbies, sports, and extracurriculars have pulled my attention in various directions. However, the one thing that threaded everything together was my desire to help people.

It was not until nearing the end of my internship experience and having an intellectual conversation with a mutual friend of mine that I discerned what it is I am called to do. Over coffee, this woman and I were discussing my current internship with Water to Thrive and the work I was doing. One of the things that I mentioned was how much I loved that I was working both in the field of communication doing community outreach, but also fundraising, which is more related to the field of nonprofit. I explained that I was experiencing the same amount of fulfillment as I had assumed only came from the types of helping professions that work hands-on with others, such as doctors, counselors, or teachers. The epiphany I had when my coffee date responded to this totally changed my viewpoint on a profession in fundraising.

Just because I was not providing hands-on help or services to others this summer does not mean I was not doing anything of benefit. Raising funds in order to allow these opportunities to occur genuinely was and is the root of all positive outcomes for an organization. At Water to Thrive, the work I did directly impacted the way that the business could run and to what extent their organization can help those in need. Just because this career field is one that is more business-focused does not mean that it is any less important and in alignment with the mission of the organization. Working at Water to Thrive was so eye-opening and only furthered my interests and desire to fundraise for a non-profit organization post-graduation. I have already begun applying for job opportunities since I am graduating in December, and without this summer internship, I would have never known how to narrow down this search.

As I prepare for my trip to Austin, Texas, where I will be spending one week of my internship in-person with Water to Thrive, I can’t help but reflect on all of the connections in my life that have helped get me here. My introduction to both the CAPS Fellowship and Water to Thrive organization started my freshman year of college while taking a required class for my Philanthropic Leadership & Service. Assuming that students attaining this minor were a target audience to introduce to the CAPS program, we had someone from the Institute for Leadership and Service present to our class about this fellowship opportunity. Being both a first-year and exploratory studies student, I was hesitant to apply for this opportunity, as I had little to no idea what I wanted to do when I was older. However, Madison Magiera, a classmate of mine, applied and was matched with Water to Thrive, so I learned a lot about the program and her experience as she was going through it herself.

It took me until the spring of my junior year of college to decide to officially go for it and apply for this fellowship. After a fairly lengthy interview process (and probably some personal bias towards the organization I had heard such great things about), I was matched with Water to Thrive. Not only that, but so was Morgan Olson – a mutual friend of mine. Morgan and I both grew up in the city of Valparaiso with many mutual friends in high school, but were never officially introduced to one another until becoming collegiate cohorts in this program. However, the connections we both had to one another allowed for us to plan and execute a week-long in-person internship experience together in Austin.

Not only had I realized that much of the position I am in today was due to connections I had made during very different walks of life, but soon another few random connections would soon lay even more opportunities in my lap. First, Morgan’s alumni mentor offered to lend a helping hand and pick us up from the airport when we arrived and even suggested dinner one evening this upcoming week. Along with this, a family friend of mine discovered I would be in Austin, his hometown, and insisted that he take us to a “honky tonk” while we are here.

As a college student interested in the field of communication, I have always been told that networking and making connections with people is crucial in this particular career field. Not only have I been fortunate to have my connections aid me in navigating this new experience travelling to a new city, but I am sure I will make even more connections when I am down there, which may come back to help me in the future.