Cass Orr

Can you tell us what you’re doing this summer? What are your basic duties as an intern?

During my internship, I helped with social media posts and promotional pieces for CREATE!’s Reforestation Campaign. I mainly focused on their July Bonus Day Event with GlobalGiving where higher donors can match other donation amounts for various nonprofits globally. Thanks to all of our work as a team, we were able to raise over $10,000 to plant 30,000 trees in rural Senegal. This internship has not only taught me a lot about social media management, digital design, and workplace communication, but has also helped me on my academic journey as a religious studies major and double minor in Middle East and North African (MENA) studies and ethnic studies.

How has Lewis & Clark supported you in the process of finding, securing, and/or funding your internship?

The Sustainability Internship class helped me greatly. They provided an opportunity with CREATE! and someone to guide me through the application process. Having someone help with that, and answer any questions I had, relieved some stress. I am also grateful that the Sustainability Office funded my unpaid internship by giving me a stipend.

How do you see this internship leading to a career in your chosen field and aiding in your overall career development?

As a religious studies major and MENA minor, I have wondered about nonprofit work as a career option since I enjoy it so much. Learning and talking with my internship colleagues has been a great experience, especially since I’ve also been introduced to other nonprofits in Oregon. I’m interested in homesteading once I get my own place, so learning about agriculture and gardening practices in Senegal has been educational for me. I was able to gain communication and digital design experience while also being able to learn more about sustainability, nonprofit management, and West African culture in the process! I am still in contact with the team and, once I start my overseas program in Morocco, I will see when I can visit the CREATE! headquarters in Senegal!

How does this internship support your interest in sustainability?

My interest in sustainability focuses on how it can impact the lives of people in our world. It was amazing to talk with some of the field staff living in Senegalese villages, work with them directly on projects, and share how CREATE! has had a direct impact on their lives.