By Grace Robinson
Hi! I’m Grace Robinson,
I am a student at Samford University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in general business. I plan to graduate in December 2025, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead.
This past semester, I had the privilege of interning with Grace Klein Community as a Communications Intern. When I applied for this internship last spring, I was eager to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and embrace the unknown challenges it might bring.
While I sought an internship to enhance my communication skills, I was equally drawn to Grace Klein Community because of its core values. I was confident I would be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are committed to following Christ. I hoped to not only be encouraged by others devoted to following Christ but also to be challenged to grow personally and professionally.
As a college student, it’s easy to become self-focused. At Samford University, staying within the “Samford bubble” is easy, making it necessary to intentionally step out into the broader community. I wanted an experience that would allow me to serve others and engage with people I typically wouldn’t as a college student in Homewood, Alabama.
Reflecting on my time at Grace Klein Community, I am filled with gratitude. This internship met my expectations and exceeded them, fulfilling my goals and leaving me with personal and professional growth.
During my time at Grace Klein, I served at their Community Outreach Hall. Much of my role involved administrative work, where I learned the importance of logging donations and volunteer hours to secure grants. This gave me insight into how non-profits operate and generate revenue. Additionally, I helped fulfill the organization’s mission by gathering essential items for individuals and families in need, including those affected by recent hurricanes, a local apartment fire, and hardships in the Birmingham area.
Beyond administrative tasks, I collaborated closely with our marketing agency to create Grace Klein Community’s first Christmas catalog. This catalog highlights global and local partners, showcasing how individuals can support these ministries through purchases or sponsorships. I contributed by providing content for the catalog and collaborated closely with our marketing firm when designing graphics to promote the catalog. Another aspect of this project I contributed to was creating the website used to place orders and begin sponsorships.
I also updated Grace Klein Community’s Etsy shop, which sells items from global partners. With Christmas quickly approaching, I have created a timeline of posts to advertise these products. Additionally, I communicated with companies to explore partnership opportunities and drafted procedural guides for contacting publishing agencies.
Grace Klein fostered a creative and collaborative environment, often encouraging me to explore different areas of the organization. My time here has taught me to collaborate more effectively, enhanced my understanding of how nonprofits function, strengthened my communication skills, and inspired me to continue saying “yes” to serving others as I move forward. I am incredibly grateful for my time at Grace Klein Community and all it has taught me about personal growth and the professional world.