Garett Nada
Graduation Year: 2010
Major(s): Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
Campus activities: Hillel, JSA, SASA, BAASA, Chalav U’Dvash (Brandeis Journal of Zionist Thought), Student Union Finance Board, Al-Quds/Brandeis partnership
Where are you interning now (or have interned in the past)?
I interned with the American Jewish Committee, a non-profit organization founded in 1906 with chapters in 32 cities around the country and 8 offices overseas. The organization promotes pluralism and democratic values, increases interfaith and interethnic understanding, combats anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, strengthens Jewish life, advocates for Israel and for American energy independence.
How did you find your internship?
I researched the organization online and then contacted a member of my synagogue who happens to be on the board of the local chapter of the organization.
What resources did you utilize to help you prepare for the search?
I began my internship search by taking the Type focus personality test. After doing some research about my personality type, I found that I could apply my skills in a number of different fields. However, given my majors, (I intend to double major in Near Eastern Judaic Studies and Middle Eastern Islamic Studies), and interest in interethnic and interfaith partnerships, a non-profit seemed to be a logical way to go. Before inquiring or applying for anything, I made an appointment with a Hiatt counselor to help fine-tune my resume and trim it down to one page. I then went about looking for organizations with mission statements and goals that I could identify with. I quickly found the American Jewish Committee’s website and found that they had a chapter in my hometown.
What ways did you explore to fund your internship?
I applied for the World of Work grant through the Hiatt career center.
What are the two most important things you learned through your internship?
One important thing that I learned from my internship is how to conduct a productive interview. I found that I got the most out of interviews that flowed more like conversations rather than question and answer sessions. Sometimes my own ideas triggered new and more informative responses from academics and professionals that I spoke with. Another important skill I learned was how to detect motive and bias in the Spanish language media on the topic of Israel.
What advice would you give other students looking for internships?
Even if an organization does not have a formal internship program, make inquiries. The last two organizations I interned with had never had interns at their respective chapters before me. Also, take every opportunity to go to events and sit in on meetings that your organization may be holding, even if they are not related to your specific project. You never know who you will meet at an event, and at the very least you will likely learn something and gain experience in conducting yourself in public as an individual and representative of an organization.
How are you connecting this internship to your academic, personal, and career future?
The project I worked on allowed me to test my analytical skills by probing the Spanish language media and honed my presentation skills through preparing a thirty page report. I got to observe what a local chapter of a non-profit human rights organization does, how its leadership functions and what it needs to do to fundraise. I have a much better understanding of the challenges non-profits face in a slumping economy and having to deal with fundraising in general. This internship helped me to understand Israel’s public relation problems in regards to the Latino community, which led me to research parallels in land conflict between Jews and Arabs.