Latifatou Savadogo
My internship showed me what sustainability can look like in the real world and how to make it happen beyond the ideas that we learn about in school.
Pronouns
Degree and Class Year
Hometown
Major
Minor
What three words would you use to describe L&C?
What is your internship this summer, and what are your basic duties?
My internship is working with the Co-Director of CREATE! Paulomi Bhattacharyya on grant writing. My main duties include researching new grant opportunities, organizing the findings in Google spreadsheets, and writing grant proposals.
What’s the best part of your internship?
The best part about my internship is writing grant proposals, learning about each member of the organization, and making good connections.
How has the Sustainability Internship course supported you in the process of finding and securing your internship?
The class helped me by providing great internship options, giving me interview and resume advice, and then getting to talk to my professors about priorities and going over what would be best for me.
How do you see this internship leading to a career in your chosen field and aiding in your overall career development?
This internship gave me a lot of experience in what it means to manage a nonprofit organization. I’ve learned a lot about nonprofit funding opportunities and how to effectively write a grant proposal and Letter of Inquiry (LOI). I also gained some skills in management, organization, and planning, and communication which will make me more competitive and successful at any future jobs. I am the founder of a nonprofit based in Burkina Faso, and what I’ve learned during the past three months will help me expand and manage well my organization. I am thrilled to have this opportunity, and I am so grateful for Amy and Paulomi who supported me during this journey.
How does this internship support your interest in sustainability?
This internship showed me what sustainability can look like in the real world and how to make it happen beyond the ideas that we learn about in school. I am passionate about green economics and being able to learn more about the mission and work of CREATE! was highly valued. CREATE! advocates for green economic empowerment in rural Senegal which is what I aimed to promote in my country.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your experience?
I just want to thank everyone who contributed to making this internship possible. Thanks to Amy and the Bates Center for such an amazing opportunity. The Bates Center has contributed a lot to my professional growth. I feel much more prepared to embrace the working environment and life after L&C is no longer scary. I am so grateful for that and I highly recommend this class to everyone. This class is more than a class, it is a life changer! You will never be the same after this class.
