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When you want to learn more about something, one of the best ways to go about it is by getting involved and getting firsthand experience. So, when I expressed my interest in non-profit work, my Honors in Marketing professor suggested that I get in touch with Mrs. Elexia Coleman-Moss who is the founder of Empowerment Resources Inc. After conducting an informational interview with her, I started the process of becoming a volunteer with the organization.
As a student in the Honors in Marketing program at UNF, one of the requirements I must complete is 100 hours of voluntary service with non-profit organizations. So, I was very blessed to have the opportunity to work with such a great organization and volunteer some of my marketing skills while also learning more about how non-profits remain successful.
I began volunteering with ERI in August 2022 at the beginning of the fall semester. Since I am a marketing major as well as a mass communications minor, I can help with article and blog writing, as well as press releases. As a drop in mentor, I also spend time with the Journey Into Womanhood girls, and take pictures at the monthly meetings I attend. Volunteering with ERI has taught me how to manage my time so I can meet the deadlines I commit to. I have also learned that to run a successful non-profit, one needs to be bold enough to ask for help when needed.
I am not the only UNF student to volunteer with ERI. I will also be highlighting the service of three other Marketing Honors students.
Angela is a marketing major who will be graduating in August of this year. She has been volunteering with ERI since October of 2021. She has been volunteering with ERI since October of 2021. During her time volunteering with this organization, she has helped with SEO projects, updates to the current website, Eventbrite, MailChimp, data statistics, and proofreading for the new website. She was able to learn how to use MailChimp, WordPress, and Eventbrite, and she also learned about SEO practices. When I asked Angela what her favorite project was, she answered, “Definitely the new website. It is really needed and looks great!” She can’t wait for it to go live.
Katharine is majoring in international business and marketing and is minoring in digital marketing & analytics and leadership. She will be graduating in May of this year. She has been volunteering with ERI since March 2022. She will be graduating in May of this year. She has been volunteering with ERI since March 2022. Katharine has been using her graphic design skills to create graphics in Canva. She’s designed social media posts, flyers, postcards, etc. When I asked Katharine what she’s learned while volunteering, she said “I think the biggest thing I learned was about ERI itself.” She also said she learned so much more about Canva and got to brush up on her graphic design skills.
Wei is majoring in business administration and marketing, as well as minoring in human resources and digital marketing & analytics. He will be graduating this year in May. Wei has been volunteering with ERI since January of this year. He will be graduating this year in May. Wei has been volunteering with ERI since January of this year. When I asked Wei about how he helps ERI he answered, “I use my skills and creativity in Graphic Design to help ERI design social media posts and flyers and also my writing skills to compose captions for Instagram posts and monthly social media projects.” He has learned a lot about graphic design, specifically using Canva. His favorite project was volunteering at the Curls and Convo event, where he helped set up, met new people, and learned about a different culture.
Although everyone I have mentioned so far is a part of UNF’s Honors in Marketing program, there is one other UNF student who volunteers with ERI, and she is not in the program. As a matter of fact, she is not even a business student. However, she has still been able to use her skills to serve with ERI.
Allison is majoring in biology, and is minoring in environmental studies. She has been volunteering with ERI since November 2022. She has been volunteering with ERI since November 2022. As a general volunteer, she helps where needed. She recently made a promotional video for JIW that was posted on Instagram. She also took headshots of the girls for the 19th annual JIW celebration and helped edit their bios. When I asked her what she has learned while volunteering with ERI, she answered, “I’ve learned the importance of communicating and staying true to my word.” She has also learned about her video making capabilities. Her favorite project was taking the headshots and editing the bios because it allowed her to interact with the girls and see more of their characters.
As I mentioned earlier, I was able to learn many things while volunteering with ERI. My favorite project that I worked on was the JIW game day. Leading up to it, I got to write my first press release and post it to many different Jacksonville websites. It was a bit challenging, but also very exciting. Those words pretty much sum up my experience while volunteering here. Although it was challenging at times, I’m up for a challenge; especially one as exciting as this.
Author, Madison B.
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