When I began my position as Membership Intern at the Chamber, I was just months away from earning my degree at Florida Gulf Coast University. I have held a few other jobs throughout my college career but have never worked for a non-profit organization. I knew my position would involve interacting with our members and assisting our membership team. What I didn’t realize was that this was only going to be one small part of my job description.

I have been with the Chamber for about 5 months now, and I have been able to work with every branch of our organization. While my primary goal has been to assist our Membership Department, I have also been able to work with our Marketing Department, Events & Development, Public Policy, and the Leadership Collier Foundation.

I couldn’t have asked for a position that was more well-rounded, versatile and, well… fun! From assisting with and attending events, updating our database and writing press-releases, to engaging with our members and attending meetings, every day is an entirely different experience. I never thought that through my internship I would learn about new restaurants, other local non-profit organizations and large and small local businesses. I feel very connected to the Naples community and have seen our continued growth first-hand.

One of the most important things I have realized is just how much the Chamber does for our community. I feel that there’s a misconception that the Chamber is a business networking vehicle first and foremost—but that is only one small aspect of the work that is achieved within this organization. I have seen first-hand how our Chamber connects the whole community to new opportunities, not only it’s members. It has been such a rewarding experience to work with such a charitable and a driven team.
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I will never forget my time here at the Naples Chamber and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work for such a terrific organization. I feel very prepared for my career and what the future has in store for me. I would highly recommend interning to any college student, as I would recommend hiring an intern to all our local organizations.

Rachel is a recent graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University earning a major in Psychology. After her internship, she is excited to pursue a career in human resources.

Interested in hosting your own intern? Email alex@napleschamber.org for more information.

This summer the Leadership Collier Foundation™ coordinated a work-site tour at the David Lawrence Center for students interested in a career in mental health or for students who wanted to learn more about the organization.

Students from The Immokalee Foundation and Youth Leadership Collier™ were educated about the vital services provided by the David Lawrence Center and their partnerships with other organizations throughout Collier County. The students also heard from Sgt. Leslie Weidenhammer, from the Collier County Sheriff’s Department, about her position, the relationship between DLC and CCSO, and the importance of interventions.

A work-site tour is one example of work-based learning opportunities for students. It allows students to see various aspects of an industry, network with employers, and connect classroom knowledge with a career. With these meaningful experiences, we hope to inspire learning and develop soft skills before entering the workforce.

Interested in hosting a work-site tour for students? Email alex@napleschamber.org