Charles
Ostertag started as an intern at Give2Asia and then went on to become
even more. He left for law school last month and it is only now that I
am beginning to acknowledge his absence. For those wondering if he or
she should apply for an internship at a non-profit, I highly suggest
that they read Charles' farewell post. Here is an excerpt; for the
full post, please visit Give2Asia Forum:
During my undergraduate studies a few years ago at UC Berkeley, I distinctly recall a fellow student explaining to me she wanted to use her degree to work in the nonprofit field. Nonprofit? Nonprofit. How will she pay her rent and bills? I remember thinking to myself as I gave an enthusiastic, unknowing nod in response. Originally coming to Give2Asia in September 2008 as a part-time programs intern, I am taking my leave as an in-house, full-time philanthropic initiatives consultant to begin law school this fall. As my transformation in title suggests, Give2Asia over the past eleven months has solidified for me into a place (and an experience) of exceptional entrepreneurship and opportunity interlaced with diversity, friendship, fun and profound personal growth.
On my first day at Give2Asia, I was immediately surprised. A moment after walking through the door I found myself in an important roundtable client meeting regarding corporate philanthropy with senior staff. Was I qualified for this? What should I say? Should I even be here? What surprised me most after that meeting, and as the weeks went by, was the immediate confidence and trust that Give2Asia’s staff placed in me (perhaps more than I had towards myself); and that even as an intern, I was treated as an equal. Indeed, there was not a single aspect of the organization that was denied to me—marketing, programs, finance, business development, fundraising and human resources—I excelled in some while giving diligent energy towards them all. Often, I would need to be pushed and encouraged towards certain roles due to my own uncertainties.
Early on it took our Director of Philanthropy, Dien Yuen, a full two weeks of prodding before I consented to a single project from Business Development—an area I now dedicate at least half my time to. Regarding Business Development, one of the greatest phenomena I have experienced at Give2Asia is being given a task or project I have never before attempted, assigned full ownership, and then being allowed to run with it. The results have always been successful; however, attributing this success solely to my skills would be a misappropriation of another shade. As I completed projects at Give2Asia, I perceived a ubiquitous and fundamental camaraderie that permeates our offices, allowing each staff member a simultaneous independence and core connection to other staff. It was a delight to see individual accomplishments praised in group celebrations and group accomplishments receive individual praise. Further, I have yet to witness a failure in my time here at Give2Asia with anything wobbling or clanking reanalyzed, learned from, recycled and tweaked back into something that performs. What began as an organization exposing my personal hesitations and uncertainties has transformed me into someone more knowledgeable, confident and capable and through this, Give2Asia has become a model for any future place of employment.
