Personal Experience

Choosing a practicum that fit my interests and would be rewarding was difficult, but I eventually decided to take a course offered by the School of Public Policy on the foundations of nonprofit leadership and social innovation. PLCY213 provided an introduction to the nonprofit and Non-governmental Organization (NGO) sectors, social innovation, and the skills necessary to achieve social impact. This course was unique and engaging because of its discussion based structure and opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of ideas through conversation and projects. 

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I found this course from a list of options provided by my program directors which outlined which courses we could choose from to complete our practicum. Finding a practicum for the Spring 2021 semester during the pandemic was challenging because it limited many of the opportunities that could satisfy the scholars practicum. However, having helpful resources and a variety of course options made it possible for me to find something that I was interested in. I would advise future Scholars students searching for a practicum to prioritize their interests because the requirements are very open ended which is part of why the program is so unique and rewarding. Program directors are also very useful resources to go to when searching for a practicum that works for the program and the student.

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Going into PLCY213 I was not familiar with the nonprofit sector, but as I have gone through the course I have developed a strong understanding of how nonprofits function and the behind the scenes work it takes to create successful social impact and innovation. Not only have I learned about the technicalities and roles within nonprofits that work together to achieve goals, but I have also been able to reflect on the various impacts organizations have on all parties involved. Volunteers, the recipient, the organization, and society are each important aspects to the operations of nonprofits.

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My experience in this course has shaped my view of nonprofits and given me the knowledge to better understand their impact on society and how to achieve social innovation. As a student it has been very beneficial to participate in thoughtful conversation about nonprofits, their impact on society, and decision-making within the organization. This experience has also been rewarding professionally because it has helped me learn more about NGO sectors and whether I might want to pursue working with a nonprofit organization. One of our most interesting projects was a Shadow and Analysis Assignment which encouraged us to connect with and interview someone who works within a nonprofit in some way. I chose to interview my sister, Jennifer Fei, who works as an intern at The Climate Reality Project for the Climate Speakers Network. I learned a lot about Climate Reality, the organizations goals, and Jennifer's role within the organization. I found it interesting to hear about her personal experience working for a nonprofit and observing how that related back to class discussions from PLCY213. It was also beneficial to learn about her role within the Climate Reality Project because one of their main goals is to train and educate people to become activists who push for action in the climate change crisis. Personally, my major and profession of Landscape Architecture is very relative to the issue of climate change and the field of environmental science. This connection and my conversation with Jennifer made me consider how I could contribute to a non-profit organization within my interests.