Current student Anneke Chan shared the following about being an Intern at Common Good Cooperative …
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
As an intern at the Common Good Cooperatives, I farmed directly on the land, as well as focused on land access and supporting community resources (e.g. moving to formalizing the local neighborhood association and farmer’s market). It was very critical to spend time — whether through listening, conversation, reading, or working on the land — attempting to better understand the nuances and importance of this work, so that I could perform my duties as an intern in a way that best uplifts the needs of the community members the Common Good Co-op intends to serve.
How did you find this internship?
I found this internship through Abigail Satinsky, who is a curator for the Tufts University Art Galleries, as well as my supervisor for another position. She had been connected to this internship listing through Neda Moridpour, an SMFA professor who had previously brought in Kafi Dixon, the boss for my internship at the Common Good Cooperatives this summer, as a guest for one of her classes.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
I really enjoy working with the land and forming relationships with my coworkers and other people connected to the organization. Farming in an urban space has been very different from my experiences with rural farming, which has made it an engaging opportunity to understand the land and its various impacts in a new context. This summer, my boss has imparted a lot of valuable wisdom about farming, business, and life, generally, in a caring and accommodating way that makes me excited to contribute to the organization’s mission and to continue this work in other ways. This experience has definitely left me feeling that I have a lot to learn, which I find exciting!
What did you find challenging?
The internship was challenging at some points when I spent long hours collecting data from the computer.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
I would suggest that interns approach their internship as an opportunity to develop skills that are not only applicable within the period of the internship, at this organization, but are also more largely applicable career and life skills that they can bring with them as they move on from this position. I think that some helpful ways to do this are to ask lots of questions and to connect with your co-workers, community members, customers, and other individuals affiliated with the organization. Building interpersonal relationships and staying engaged are some of the best ways to continue actively learning and growing in any situation, whether or not it’s directly related to your career.
About the Organization
Common Good Cooperatives innovates small business development and participation, peer-led by women of color.
