The VIP Experience

The Volunteer Internship Program allows for students to get involved with an international nonprofit through a hands-on experience. As an intern for Children Beyond Our Borders, you have the opportunity to learn and develop skills that make you stand out while also being apart of the CBOB family. The CBOB family has hundreds of prior interns and volunteers all around the world working in a variety of industries who you can connect with. The overall goal of the VIP program is to empower and encourage our interns to enable them for a successful future.
This year, our VIP program grew from seven to 22 interns in a variety of different positions. We have learned a lot this semester from each other, so we have big plans for improvement for next semester. Here are what different members from our different teams have to say about the CBOB VIP Experience!

Standard Operations Interns:
1.2 Development and Community Outreach: Leanne Rodriguez
One of Leanne’s main responsibilities this semester was implementing the Children Within Our Borders program in Orlando. Although this was at times a stressful internship, Leanne felt that she learned a variety of different skills from communication to event planning.

1.3 Grant Writing Intern: Brian Maher This position taught Brian a special skill set and business acumen that he can apply in the future. Brian admired the family vibe of the VIP program.
“The best part about being an intern at CBOB is the way we affect these children. It is more than just being a friend; it is giving them skills and opportunities for a better future.”

1.4 Public Relations and Social Media Team: Paulina Magaña
Paulina learned the unspoken rules of social media management like when, how and what to post to obtain the greatest reach for social media posts, which will help her greatly in her future.

1.5 Graphic Design: Daniela Reiley
The Graphic Design Interns both propose and collaborate on designs that represent the CBOB brand. The Graphic Design Interns this semester created the design for CBOB’s newest program, Children Within Our Borders.
“I learned a lot about communicating and portraying an idea with design as well as dealing with back and forth with the client and learning from other’s feedback. This is essential for my future as a graphic designer.”

1.6 Multimedia: Ashby Strauch  
The Multimedia intern takes photos and videos at events on the behalf of CBOB. One of the things that Ashby learned in this internship is how to better communicate her ideas for projects as well as understand and implementing the ideas of others. She also got some design experience.

1.7 Accountant: Haotian “Tom” Chen
The accounting intern manages all of CBOB”s bank accounts and keeps track of the finances to balance the budget. The accountant also creates financial progress reports for internal use and an annual report for external use.

1.10 Student Chapter Coordinator: Naomi Sultan
The Student Chapter Coordinator acts as a liaison between the different student chapters. Naomi learned how to be a better communicator and leader through this internship.
“My favorite part about being in CBOB was working with the team and seeing the passion and dedication of each person. It is a small organization, but we have really taken off with the work that interns personally do.”

Bound For Peace Interns:
2.3 Training Coordinator: Brian Feldman
Brian really enjoyed how much liberty he had as a Training Coordinator to help design volunteer training workshops for the Bound for Peace volunteers.

2.5 Public Relations: Rayanna Gopaul
The Public Relations Intern for BFP speaks at events, tables, holds information session and creates social media posts to promote BFP!
“My internship with CBOB has been such an amazing experience. I have learned so much about myself through the different tasks I have been given. I have even surprised myself with how much my public speaking skills have improved from heading the UF information sessions. I absolutely love all the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with.”