2007 Net Impact Conference Yields Internship Success

Last July, when I registered for the Net Impact Conference, my goals were to be part of a group using their knowledge to change the world, to see some motivating speakers, and to check out Nashville in all its boot-kickin’ glory. Little did I know it would springboard me one step closer to my career goal.

Toward the end of orientation, Jessica encouraged us to submit our resumes for the Net Impact conference, so I loaded my document, and promptly forgot about it. Three weeks later, I started receiving emails, all from awesome organizations in my very small field of interest, the education reform movement. I had interview requests from the Broad Residency, Education Pioneers, The New Teacher Project, and New Schools for New Orleans. I actually took a few days to respond; I think I was caught off guard (wasn’t it supposed to be hard to get interviews?) But eventually I got in touch with New Schools for New Orleans and set a date and time to meet at the conference.

After just 4 hours of sleep, presenting our case for the Project Pyramid competition, and then sitting for 8 hours listening to the other participants, I walked down the road Thursday night to Fido’s coffee shop, found the CEO, Matt Candler, and proceeded to have the most engaging, exciting, and comfortable interview of my life (weren’t these supposed to be stressful?). After 40 minutes, and several options for projects, we shook hands and were both on cloud nine. I am so pleased to share with you that next summer I’ll be living in New Orleans working with New Schools for New Orleans, building quality schools in an underserved community – this is my dream internship!

I just wanted to let you know that if it can happen for me, it can happen for you too. Keep thinking positive thoughts! And come visit me next summer.

Katherine Johnston, GSM '09