By: Alexandra Light

It is pretty uncommon to find an internship opportunity that truly changes your life. Thankfully, an internship at City Parks Foundation is unlike any other.

When I look back on the four months I spent with City Parks Foundation, I could not have asked for a more valuable internship. From the get-go I was given more responsibility than I anticipated, being put in charge of the SummerStage social media accounts and the City Parks Foundation blog. Throughout the next few months, I worked on everything marketing, from contacting artists and managers for biographies to executing public relations campaigns. I was able to experience the lesser-known marvels that City Parks Foundation provides, like the puppet shows at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, and was even able to interview key staff members for blog posts. I learned so many skills from my supervisor and co-workers that I will carry with me in the years to come.

A highlight of the internship came in April, when the stage at Rumsey Playfield began to take shape. Almost everyday that month I walked up to the venue to snap a couple pictures of the build and share them with our instagram (if you don’t already, follow SummerStageNYC!) and twitter families. It was really incredible to see the transformation from start to finish.

Day 1 of the build

The finished product on my last trip to the site

Another highlight was on my last official day in the office, where I was able to attend a taping for a marketing segment at CBS Studios. The segment was to promote It’s My Park Day, a volunteer event that takes place in the spring and fall seasons every year. After working on that campaign for weeks, it was pretty incredible to see a successful final product.

Though that was my last day, my internship experience finally viagra for sale ended with a bang at the SummerStage Gala on June 5^th. I could not pass up the opportunity to catch a live show featuring artists like G. Love, The Roots, Amel Larrieux, Keller Williams, and John Scofield, so I offered to help out for the night. I spent the night in the photo pit making sure photographers followed union rules and hanging out right by the stage. It was a great night to honor the music of the legendary Jimi Hendrix, an icon, inspiration and a personal musical hero.

The entrance to the Gala

Inside the tent at the Gala

The Jimi-inspired place settings

Setting the incredible music aside, one of the best aspects of the night was being able to see the marketing team again, a trio that has truly made an impact in my life and who I will never forget. I am so happy and grateful to have worked with the City Parks Foundation marketing department.