Words from our Fall Intern, Anna

At the end of each Internship at Vivant, we ask our student partner to reflect on their experience. What did they learn? What did they discover? What will they take with them? We are posting those words below without edits so that you, as future intern prospects, clients and partners can get to know us just a little more. Happy Reading!
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​And best wishes to Anna! We know you will plant some amazing seeds wherever you grow. :)

Wow! What an incredible fall! It feels like just yesterday, it was August and I was browsing the internet looking for some opportunity to get out of the house this semester. Being 5 months into a global pandemic, starting my senior year of college within the confines of my apartment, I was wary of how the fall semester would play out. Luckily for me, I was offered this internship position with Vivant Gardening Services and Montrose Metra Community Gardens, and I was able to spend numerous hours among the native plants, fruit trees, and buzzing pollinator buddies!
    This internship position with Kasey has been an incredible experience. Not only am I extremely grateful to have had this opportunity during such tumultuous times, I’m beyond excited to see where the knowledge I’ve gained through this internship will take me. I’ve learned so much about what it truly takes to manage a community organization like Montrose Metra Community Gardens, and I’ve witnessed how extensive the impact of an organization like this can be in the community. Bringing together friends, family, and neighbors from all walks of life to take part in this humble community garden, creating opportunities for collaboration and new relationships, makes our community stronger and the world a better place.
    Working on Vivant-related matters was another valuable part of this internship that helped develop my own understanding of business operations and the integral role that small, independent businesses play in the community. Working with Kasey on these projects taught me the importance of the client experience beyond general customer-service-smiles. Building trusting relationships and being transparent with clients builds rapport, leading to happy and loyal clients that come back to you year after year. This internship experience also helped me see the value of small businesses in community development. Working with Vivant and MMCG, especially on the annual Winter Wreath Fundraiser, helped me see how a for-profit organization can interact with and benefit a small, non-profit community resource. While the objective of a small business like Vivant is ultimately to provide a high-quality service and to financially profit, it’s awesome to see other goals of bettering the community and creating a more sustainable world prioritized as well. 
    I’m so happy to have had this opportunity. Working with Kasey has been incredibly valuable as I work towards my own personal and professional goals. I just want to say a huge thank you to her, her clients and partners, and everyone I’ve had the chance to work with during this time. I can’t wait to apply these new skills and knowledge to future endeavors, and work towards a happier and healthier planet. 🌎

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