An Inside Look at the GWC Internship Program

[This blog post was written on spec for the World Food Prize Foundation]

So, you’re thinking about applying to the George Washington Carver Internship Program with the World Food Prize Foundation, but you don’t know if it’s the right choice for you and your resume? Well, I’m about to tell you everything you need to know about the process, the program, and the organization from the perspective of a former intern.

The Application

The World Food Prize is a well-known nonprofit organization looking for interns who can help uphold their values and mission. Before you apply, there are a few things you will need to take into consideration:

1. You will need a strong academic background.

2. You should have a strong work ethic.

3. You are capable of analytical thinking.

4. You are detail-oriented

5. You have strong written and oral communication skills (English proficiency required).

If you believe you have all of these things (and I am confident you do!), it is time to take the questionnaire provided on their website and submit your resume and cover letter.

Don’t forget the deadlines for each hiring quarter!

The Interview

They liked what they saw on paper and want to meet you face-to-face. It’s now time to dust off your fancy interview clothes and get everything in order.

Whether you’re a whiz at interviews or you’re like me, someone who works themselves up before the big day, the organization’s staff will put your mind at ease and make you feel comfortable right from the beginning.

Interview location:

• On-site at their historic building downtown Des Moines.

• A video interview (should you be from out of town).

The questions are standard; however, I would recommend that you come prepared with your resume in hand, one for yourself and another for your interviewer, and an idea of how you would answer certain questions should they be thrown your way. Preparedness is appreciated, as well as enthusiasm.

Pro Tip: ALWAYS send a Thank You Email after your interview thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration. It will help you stand out from the crowd and show you’re serious about the role.

After the interview is over, expect to wait a week or more to hear back from the organization. The staff is extremely busy with interviews, but don’t let that get you down as they have many openings to fill.

The Placement

Look at you! You're a working professional who secured the position! We all knew you could do it.

Technically, this part occurs before the application process because you will need to select one of their positions that work best for your skill-set and expertise and apply to it specifically. However, my case was different as I applied to a position and was then offered another they thought would best fit me based on my background.

There are many different areas to choose from based on your experience.

• Archival

• Awards & Lectures Management

• Communications & Public Relations

• Community Relations & Grassroot Efforts

• Event Planning (fall semester)

• Graphic Design

• Symposium Planning & Logistics

• Youth Programming & Education

Once you’ve decided which one best fits you, you’ve applied to the position, interviewed for the role, and are offered the job; you are then assigned to a mentor who will manage your day-to-day activities and guide you through on the journey to success.

Every intern in my group [pictured above] had nothing but nice things to say about their mentor. The staff was willing to answer any questions regarding the organization and offer support to their mentee.

The Benefits

The World Food Prize Foundation is a professional working environment that strives to provide its community with the best services possible. If you are lucky enough to join their team, you will have a great addition to your resume, which will look good to any future employer.

Throughout the course of the program, you will gain valuable skills that will prepare you for your post-college ventures. Additionally, you will make professional connections with the staff and other interns, which could come in handy down the line.

And, if that isn’t enough to seal the deal, the organization is now offering a stipend of $1,500 per intern.

The choice to apply is yours alone, but don’t let fear get in the way of getting the opportunity of a lifetime! If you’ve made it this far, I think you know what your next steps should be…