My name is Allison Primm and this semester I worked as an intern at a local non-profit. As an International Business Marketing and Political Science major, I was interested in non-profit work because of both the business aspect and the ability that nonprofits have to impact their local communities. As the marketing intern, it was my job to work on event marketing and recruit volunteers to help in all areas from events, to admin, to committees, to day-to-day operations. I assisted the team in strategizing marketing efforts and potential partnerships with other local organizations. Based in Rogers, AR, Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life is aimed at promoting proper hydration, educating on heat-related illnesses, and distributing tools such as water bottles to children around Northwest Arkansas. For me, this was work that did not even feel like work. Being able to collaborate with this group of people who were truly passionate and excited about the work they were doing was an incredibly impactful experience. Throughout the semester, I learned so much about myself, my community, and what a potential future could look like in the nonprofit sector.

I chose to pursue this internship opportunity because of my close connection to the foundation. They are based in my hometown, and I remember attending their events as an elementary student. One of the big events that they put on each year is a youth run and a part of this event is holding a T-shirt design contest. Every child who registers for the run is able to submit a design for the race T-shirts. As a young student in elementary school, I have fond memories of collaborating with my friends to make the best T-shirt entry possible. Having been one of the students myself, I had a deep understanding of the work that the Kendrick Fincher Foundation is able to do and the impact it has on students. The cause was especially important to me because I attended the same middle school that Kendrick Fincher attended, and I knew his family personally. These factors all contributed to my interest in the intern position. It was actually my mom who sent me a Facebook post early in the semester that the foundation was looking for an intern. At first, I was unsure about my ability to take on the work, but after interviewing and asking a ton of questions, I was ready to commit.

Throughout the semester as I was able to learn more about event planning, nonprofit management, and networking with vendors and suppliers. Helping to plan and execute events such as the annual youth run, the tour de tacos cycling event, and the tour de BBQ cycling event. Connecting with vendors and their marketing teams as well as tourism and travel groups in the area connected me with so many people who I can now look to as mentors and ask questions. The time I spent in this position has helped develop me into a better student, and leader, and has prepared me for the future. This summer I will be working as a marketing intern at a different company, and I could not have gotten this position if it weren’t for the knowledge and experience I gained through interning with Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life!