Coming into Kennari as an intern this summer, I could not predict the effect my internship would have on my perspective of work and life in general.
I originally presumed consulting work only consisted of creating slide decks and working in Excel – but as I progressed through my internship, I realized all the aspects of fund development and consulting that I had failed to see before. I was able to immerse myself in the philanthropy community through my time researching and speaking with clients that worked in a multitude of different sectors in the nonprofit industry. Learning about these organizations’ drive to create safe, thriving communities helped me to understand the importance of philanthropy.
The team at Kennari truly valued these clients’ missions and tailored their solutions to help create a positive impact; you could see that clients strongly valued Kennari’s advice and wanted to implement it. I was also able to immerse myself in the work of fundraising consultants, which opened my eyes to what projects interest me, and what I value in my day-to-day work. I researched new trends in the nonprofit space, used new digital tools, and worked closely with colleagues to create presentations and datasheets. Juggling multiple projects (and striking a good balance between work and personal life) taught me the importance of adapting to others’ work and communication styles. This learning experience helped me establish better relationships with my colleagues, who were amazing people who came from varied backgrounds. As I worked with the team this summer, you could feel the chemistry and camaraderie between everyone. With my colleagues, we were able to engage each other and motivate each other to complete projects, while also being able to have casual conversations and laugh with each other.
Kennari exemplifies the type of work culture I align myself with: a fast-paced and serious work environment with an uplifting culture that encourages collaboration and relatability. I am truly thankful for my experience at Kennari and for the guidance it gave me to understand my values in a career.
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