Tell us about yourself and your background. 

Sarah: I am from Roanoke, Texas, and I go to the University of Oklahoma where I'll be a senior in the fall. I'm studying communications with a minor in psychology. Outside of school and work, I love to spend my time exercising, hanging out with my friends, cooking, reading, and being outside. I also have a dog, Georgie, whom I love very much, and I spend a lot of my time with her as well! I also like to relax and am currently taking classes to become a yoga instructor. I am passionate about fitness, well-being, and health.

Tell us about your role and how your experience has been so far. 

Sarah: My internship position is in Donor Services, where we assist current donors and advisors, and those interested in opening a donor-advised fund account. We help them navigate our website and help manage their accounts, and we address questions about specific grants and how the process works. Since the start of my internship, my experience has been great. I was overwhelmed by how kind and willing everyone is. We went through training quickly and we hit the ground running, but it's been a really good experience because I've learned so much in such a short amount of time, which is exactly what I'm looking for in an internship.

How has your internship helped you develop your skills and knowledge? 

Sarah: This internship has really helped me develop some confidence. Going on the phone without knowing much about donor-advised funds at first was a little bit scary, but it has really boosted my confidence in myself and what I can achieve in a short amount of time. It has taught me the importance of being good with customers and working with people, especially in a company like this where we aim to support our customers and help them give more. Being client-facing has significantly improved my communication skills, and I am just so grateful for this experience.

How has it been working with another intern on your team? 

Sarah: It has been so much fun. It’s been nice to have someone to lean on and grow with during this experience. Having a friend in the office who understands what you’re going through and shares similar experiences, like having lunch together and spending time outside of the office, has been enjoyable. This camaraderie has also facilitated a collaborative environment where we can bounce ideas off each other, seek advice, and give constructive feedback. It’s comforting to know that there’s someone who can relate to my experiences, and this has made my work environment more relaxed and supportive. Overall, having another intern on the team has made the experience more fun, less stressful, and more productive. 

If you had to mentor a future Schwab Charitable intern, what is one piece of advice you would want to give them? 

Sarah: I would advise them to give themselves time in their role and to be patient with themselves. They will face challenges during their internship, but they should know that this internship is for them to learn and grow, and it's important they know that no one expects them to be perfect. They should give themselves grace and allow themselves to learn. It’s important to understand that no one expects perfection from the start. Instead, they should focus on the learning process and view each task and challenge as an opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge. Additionally, I would advise them to take full advantage of the resources and support available, ask questions, and actively engage with their mentors and colleagues.