Marina Bogdanova

Internships are a great opportunity to gain knowledge and experience, and open wider doors for those of us striving to build a better future. Programs in marketing, social entrepreneurship, and leadership are especially beneficial in the development of social skills required for success in workforces everywhere. I believe I am a considerable candidate for this internship because not only do I want to learn to grasp and make the most of the opportunities in front of me, but I also would like to give back to the community and help those around me find their way.

My experiences as a burn survivor have given me an opportunity to step up as a leader in the burns community, as well as naturally providing me with an appearance that stands out, therefore attracting people’s attention in one way or another. I have attended Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) meetings at Shriners Burn Hospitals for Children in Boston, helping brainstorm ideas to improve the experience of patients and their families during their hospital visits and treatment. I also actively help Shriners Hospital by collecting soda can tabs and turning them in during my visits in order to help raise money for services that are not a direct part of treatment. Additionally, I am part of Fenix Family Fund — a charity founded by my mother, Olga Belyakova, with an intention to provide physical and emotional support for patients and their families not just locally, but also those who may need to come in for treatment form outside the state or country. Through this internship, I will be able to acquire more experience to better understand how I may be able to improve and use my social skills for leadership, charity, and program development for future events.

Secondly, my creativity, natural talent, practice, and drive for art and animal care have opened yet another opportunity for me to speak to people. If not orally, than visually. I have made numerous pieces of art, and posted a few for sale on social media. So far, I have sold a painting and received requests for sketches not related to the account. Also, my school provides me with hands-on experience in dealing with clients and animal care and grooming. I believe I will not only be able to bring creativity and hard work to the table, but this internship opportunity will also aid me in developing marketing skills I could use to start a business in art and/or animal care, as well as providing me with an opportunity to be exposed to more social situations I would be unable to gain in a school environment.

Lastly, I would like to learn more about the Jewish culture and community. I would like to learn more about the history and meaning behind the Jewish symbols and experiences, and learn how I may be able to support my friends and others of this unique community. I believe this opportunity will provide me with more knowledge, and with a better understanding of the culture, I will ultimately be more capable of providing the proper support for the Jewish culture.

In conclusion, I believe my current collection of experiences, hard work, and willingness to give back and help those around me prove my suitability for this internship opportunity.