Every summer, The Michael J. Fox Foundation works with interns who lend their skills to our mission to cure Parkinson’s, and benefit from the chance to witness day-to-day operations at a fast-paced nonprofit. To get to know more about them and what they do here throughout the summer, this summer we are blogging Q&As with each of the interns. Appropriately, the interviews are also conducted and written by an intern — Thea Glassman, our 2012 Marketing & Communications intern, who studies at the University of Kansas, one of the country’s great journalism schools. For her most recent Q&A, Thea spoke with Allyn Potts, who is interning with the Foundation’s Advancement team and with Katie Peabody, the Special Assistant to the CEO.
Allyn Potts is majoring in Economics and Global Development Studies at University of Virginia. A native of Williamsburg, Virginia, she is spending her summer with the Michael J. Fox Foundation exploring two different aspects of the foundation's work. Get to know Allyn a little bit better with our Four Questions For An Intern.
Thea Glassman: What department do you work in?
Allyn Potts: I work primarily with two staff members here at the Foundation. I work with Michelle Aquino on the Advancement Team, which is the leg of the Foundation in charge of planning and organizing all of MJFF's special events. I also work closely with Katie Peabody, who is Special Assistant to the Co-Founder Debi Brooks.
TG: What is a typical day for you in the office?
AP: My days here are typically spent completing tasks for both the Advancement Team and for Katie. I usually spend a few hours each day helping Michelle with Advancement Team assignments, which include organizing guest lists for upcoming events, tracking incoming donations, and compiling mailing lists. The remainder of my day is spent working with Katie on various projects that are of interest to her and Debi. I spend most of this time conducting research and compiling data that Katie and I can then manipulate in order to analyze it in context and draw conclusions.
TG: What do you hope to take away from working at the MJFF office?
AP: I think my experience here will be invaluable in more ways than one. I hope to take away everything from improved, practical workplace skills - I'm an Excel master in the making - to an understanding of how a non-profit medical research organization operates. I learn something new every day!
TG: One random fact about yourself?
AP: I had a pet pig until a few years ago. Miss you, Lucky!
Interested in an internship with the Foundation? The Foundation is always looking for smart, determined individuals who would like to participate in an internship with us. As a result, resumes can be submitted to the Foundation throughout the year. To view current openings and to apply, visit our Careers page.