My 5-week internship experience with the Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA) has filled me with immense gratitude and honor. This experience has given me professional growth, knowledge, and personal development that equip me for my future career prospects. As I was tasked with various projects, I gained invaluable insights into sustainable agriculture, gender inclusion, and the agricultural sector of the Philippines.
I’m Elaikka, a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship student from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. At the beginning of my internship search, I was unsure where I would apply, especially after realizing that the company I initially wanted to join was no longer a viable option. Feeling uncertain about my next steps, I received an email one day from my professor who recommended PPSA. Intrigued by PPSA’s mission and focus on sustainability, I researched the organization and discovered its advocacy for women's empowerment in agriculture. This aligned perfectly with my own advocacy for women's empowerment, motivating me to apply.
During my time at PPSA, I had the opportunity to work with both the communications team and the programs team. One of my key highlights during this internship was facilitating a webinar, along with my co-interns, entitled “Byte-sized Harvests: Empowering Agripreneurship through Digital Marketing.” The webinar, currently the most attended webinar of PPSA, highlighted the importance of the role digitalization plays in agripreneurship. Each of the interns had specific roles in the program, and although speaking isn’t my strongest suit, this experience pushed me to step out of my shell and try something I had never done before.
One of my favorite tasks during the internship was developing a grants database prototype. This project involved researching potential funding opportunities and organizing the information in a user-friendly database. The process required attention to detail and analytical skills to identify grants that aligned with PPSA’s objectives. I found it immensely rewarding to create a resource that would aid PPSA in securing the necessary funds to support their projects and initiatives.
Throughout my internship, I learned valuable lessons. Firstly, the importance of adaptability and being open to new experiences became evident. This was especially seen during the Byte-sized Harvests Learning Series. I had to learn how to adapt quickly to ensure the success of the webinar. Each task, whether big or small, contributed to my overall growth. I gained insights into effective communication and teamwork, especially having to work with my co-interns whom I haven’t worked with before. Seeing the direct results of the tasks I did was inspiring and solidified my commitment to advocating for sustainable development.
This experience has not only broadened my understanding of sustainable agriculture but also equipped me with practical skills and insights that will be necessary in my future endeavors. The opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects and witness their impact has been incredibly fulfilling, and I am grateful for the experience and the growth it has given me. This journey has reignited my passion for agriculture and desire to positively impact the field.
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