By Maxime Mullier, Intern, Arlington Chamber of Commerce
As a rising senior in college, I realized a stage in my life was ending. For the first time, I had to make important choices that would impact the beginning of my adult life. Researching and looking for internships was easy, but after being denied by several organizations, it began to take a toll on me. One of my friends recommended I look into the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. What attracted me to the Chamber is how they contribute to Arlington’s growth by supporting and providing resources to businesses in order to prosper. Organizing networking and community events creates a space for cooperation between businesses. It grants them opportunities to hear the voice of their biggest supporters, the Arlington community. I am a senior at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. The college I attend partners with the Lutheran College Washington Semester to bring political science students to the Arlington-Washington D.C. area. The program aims for students to gain experience in their field and expose them to the culture of these cities.
As a rising senior in college, I realized a stage in my life was ending. For the first time, I had to make important choices that would impact the beginning of my adult life. Researching and looking for internships was easy, but after being denied by several organizations, it began to take a toll on me. One of my friends recommended I look into the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. What attracted me to the Chamber is how they contribute to Arlington’s growth by supporting and providing resources to businesses in order to prosper. Organizing networking and community events creates a space for cooperation between businesses. It grants them opportunities to hear the voice of their biggest supporters, the Arlington community. I am a senior at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. The college I attend partners with the Lutheran College Washington Semester to bring political science students to the Arlington-Washington D.C. area. The program aims for students to gain experience in their field and expose them to the culture of these cities.
The idea of working in an office with other people who are and look professional made me nervous. However, once I met the staff members of the Chamber, I knew I was in good hands. Coming from Europe, I was used to a more hierarchical system in a business setting. It surprised me when speaking to my supervisor and the President of the Chamber it was appropriate for me to address them by their first name. Aside from culture shock, thanks to the staff, I felt integrated and part of the team. The skills and experience I acquired during my time at the Chamber will be something I will never take for granted. During my time at the Chamber, Operations Manager, Elizabeth Addington was my supervisor and taught me about the operations part of an organization. I was assigned several tasks across my internship by several staff members, including updating and managing a +750 member list, assisting in organizing networking events, and attending some of those events.
I will use what I learned at the Chamber when applying for job offers. After graduating in the spring of 2023, I plan to attend graduate school in the Washington, D.C. area to pursue a Master of Arts in European Studies. With this post-secondary education, I want to work for an organization in the government affairs department. I would like to thank the Arlington Chamber of Commerce team for allowing me to work and learn over the course of this semester.
I will use what I learned at the Chamber when applying for job offers. After graduating in the spring of 2023, I plan to attend graduate school in the Washington, D.C. area to pursue a Master of Arts in European Studies. With this post-secondary education, I want to work for an organization in the government affairs department. I would like to thank the Arlington Chamber of Commerce team for allowing me to work and learn over the course of this semester.
RSS Feed
