In the first of our “My SITC Experience” blog series, Spring 2020 Alumni Maddy Roy talks about her time with Semester in the City!
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This is an adapted email that we sent our alumni a few weeks ago in regards to the movement that is currently taking place, and the role we play as a social justice organization.
Dear Semester in the City Alumni,
We know last week has been particularly difficult for many of you, as it has been for our staff and communities, in Boston and nationwide. Our feelings of grief, anger, sorrow, fear, and numbness, to name a few, cycle through in quick succession. All this on top of an international pandemic that has ended more than 100,000 lives and destroyed more than 40 million jobs — disproportionally for people of color and low-income people — while also distancing us, in real life and metaphorically.
At CFSI, as a social justice-oriented organization, we are deeply impacted by our nation’s 400-year legacy of violent racism and white supremacy, highlighted most immediately by the police killing of George Floyd and the days of protest and revolution that have followed. CFSI aspires to be a place of hope, where transformation occurs and potential is realized. The events of the last week — and recent months and years — make clear we must continually advance our anti-racism work and our own ability to educate and inspire the next generation of problem-solvers for humanity’s tough challenges. Stay tuned as we develop and update our organizational plans to advance DEI within our office, SITC, and our Boston community.
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When the lead counselors left to pick up the kids from school, there were only 20 out of the usual 80 kids. Schools were shutting down the next day because of the coronavirus. The kids mostly played outside on their last day. I watched the lead counselors play an intense game of basketball with them on the courtyard. One of the kids would always tease the lead counselors whenever they didn’t get the ball in, and I thought it was the funniest thing seeing a fourth grader try to roast a 20-year-old. I couldn’t believe it was my last day with them. When it was time for the kids to go, the staff members and I sat and talked in the office. We were all sad about the uncertainty of the situation. One of the directors started playing “Graduation (Friends Forever).” We all laughed and said goodbye.
Read MoreAt College for Social Innovation, we know that our first jobs and internships shaped our futures and cultivated our passion for social sector work. These experiences are the reason we are here today! The beginning of summer marks the start of similar experiences for college students everywhere—experiences that will open doors of opportunity and launch inspiring careers. In this blog series, our staff will tell the stories of their own first internships, sharing advice, memories, and appreciation for their earliest professional experiences
Molly O’Shea is our Associate Manager for Marketing and Communications. Molly graduated from the Community Development department at the University of Vermont, where she developed an interest in nonprofit communication and service-learning. This interest was fostered by the mentorship of professors and internship supervisors who provided encouragement for Molly to pursue a career in communications. Here at CFSI Molly has many roles, oversees numerous projects, and runs all of our social media platforms. We are lucky to have her!
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Semester in the City is more than just an internship, it is an experience that allows students to explore a career in the social sector, as well as get a taste of living in Boston! SITC provides numerous advantages and is full of opportunities both within and outside the internship.
In this blog series, we will be exploring different ways to experience city life and all that Boston has to offer while remaining on a budget.
Living in the city means there is a wide variety of delicious foods all around you. For those interested in taking advantage of all the delectable meals Boston has to offer, the key is knowing where to go. From tacos to bagels, clam chowder to donuts— Here are some filling, mouth-watering food finds around Boston that do not break the bank.
Read MoreEdith Buhs is our interim Chief Program Officer! She has nearly 30 years of experience working for innovative nonprofits and in recent years has been involved with several College for Social Innovation projects serving as a consultant. Edith has held senior talent management roles at Citizen Schools, City Year and Jumpstart, and was most recently a founding staff member at AchieveMission. Edith comes to CFSI as an expert facilitator and change manager, who has lead people to debate productively, decide thoughtfully and deliver work together powerfully in myriad settings. At College for Social Innovation, Edith will oversee the shared apartments, internships, and coursework for Semester in the City and is a lead instructor for the Becoming a Problem Solver course.
Read MoreAt College for Social Innovation, we know that our first jobs and internships shaped our futures and cultivated our passion for social sector work. These experiences are the reason we are here today! The beginning of summer marks the start of similar experiences for college students everywhere—experiences that will open doors of opportunity and launch inspiring careers. In this blog series, our staff will tell the stories of their own first internships, sharing advice, memories, and appreciation for their earliest professional experiences.
Ila Shah is our Managing Director! She has over 15 years of professional experience with a focus on education and talent acquisition. Ila received her Bachelors of Arts from Wesleyan University and completed the CORO Fellowship in Public Affairs. Following her Fellowship, Ila worked as a program specialist for The After-School Corporation (TASC) and then as the Director of the National Network at Citizens School. More recently, Ila was a Search Consultant at Commongood Careers and Edgility Consulting, where she played a key role in establishing partnerships with school district officials as well as community and philanthropic partners. At College for Social Innovation, Ila will collaborate with the entire team to build a dynamic and joyous community, while also developing systems for both scalable and sustainable growth.
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At College for Social Innovation, we know that our first jobs and internships shaped our futures and cultivated our passion for social sector work. These experiences are the reason we are here today! The beginning of summer marks the start of similar experiences for college students everywhere—experiences that will open doors of opportunity and launch inspiring careers. In this blog series, our staff will tell the stories of their own first internships, sharing advice, memories, and appreciation for their earliest professional experiences.
Kiyo Gomi is our manager of Finance and Administration! Kiyo earned his MBA in Finance and Nonprofit Management from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business in 2018. His passion for nonprofit work was cultivated through two summer internships with LearningWorks at Blake and he brings six years of experience in the nonprofit sector to his role. Kiyo has numerous responsibilities surrounding the finance and administration of CFSI, but he is especially eager to build and implement systems on the back-end to advance the mission of College for Social Innovation.
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Katie Richardson is our Director of Recruitment and Enrollment! She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and has built a career working with nonprofits focused on education, experiential learning, youth and leadership development, and service. Katie is responsible for connecting students with transformational learning experiences in Semester in the City, as well as growing the pipeline of diverse and well-qualified talent for the social sector. Here, Katie is able to combine her passions and have an impact by inspiring and delighting students through engaging internships.
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Mercedes Hanton is our Program Manager of Student Experience! She graduated from the College of New Jersey, as well as Northeastern University where she received her Master’s in School Counseling. In her role at CFSI, she oversees the delivering a high quality program experience to undergraduate Social Innovation Fellows.
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Ilona Drew is our Manager of Operations and Special Projects! She is a graduate from the University of New Hampshire, where she received both her bachelor's and master's degrees. In her role at CFSI, she creates and implements systems and structures to make our organization more efficient, especially in regards to our recruitment efforts. Here, she continues to combine her background in business operations and public policy with her passion for social innovation!
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Semester in the City has more than a few advantages. For many, this is an opportunity to explore a career in the social sector and build a professional network before graduation. It is also a chance to experience a fun and unique semester by living in Boston!
In this blog series, we will be exploring different ways to experience city life and all that Boston has to offer while remaining on a budget.
From museums, music, poetry and more, we are highlighting some ways to indulge in the rich arts scene in Boston while sticking to your budget during Semester in the City. Read our first blog exploring the arts & culture scene in our historic city! While you’re here, be sure to periodically check out this website for an updated list of free arts and cultural events.