By Internship Offers Practical Advocacy Skills
A rising senior in college spent the summer interning with NORML to gain applicable skills for future positions. The student sought an internship that aligned with their field of interest in the cannabis industry. NORML provided a perfect fit for this professional development goal.
The tenure was described as extremely valuable and fulfilling by the intern. This experience allowed the student to become well informed about emerging legislative and scientific developments.
The intern noted that while they were already interested in the topic, they gained a far greater understanding of cannabis policy intricacies. The program offered opportunities to broaden skill sets in public outreach, research, and bill-monitoring. Each project worked on advanced the intern’s understanding of what advocacy work looks like behind the scenes.
This included observing the relation between advocacy, legislation, and media. The intern emphasized that even smaller daily tasks contributed to this professional growth.
Proactive Approach Diverse Project Work
The intern’s biggest recommendation for anyone interested in interning with NORML is to volunteer for projects. They advised interns to avail themselves as much as possible and reach out to supervisors for extra work. By doing this, the intern was able to work on a wide variety of tasks.
These tasks ranged from providing background research to drafting Action Alerts. The intern also helped produce Live with NORML during their time at the organization.
Each project allowed the intern to work on and hone in on a different set of skills. The intern stated that like any internship, you get out what you put in. Taking initiative and being open-minded were key to the success of the experience.
The intern encouraged others to apply for an internship with NORML.
Recommendations For Future Cannabis Careers
The intern highly recommends interning with NORML for those pursuing a career in cannabis. This recommendation extends to individuals interested in advocacy or the commercial industry. The student found the experience to be a perfect fit for their career goals.
They emphasized the importance of finding an internship that offers applicable skills.
The intern specifically suggested NORML for those interested in politics or advocacy generally. This includes individuals not necessarily focused on cannabis law specifically. NORML has opportunities for anyone to broaden their knowledge and skill set.
The intern’s positive experience highlights the organization’s value to students. This serves as a guide for other rising seniors seeking similar opportunities.
