Pailin Demeo

Responsibilities

At Live Healthy Iowa, I was an Events/Operations Intern. My responsibilities consisted of: communicating with challenge and event participants, coordinating challenge and event logistics, creating promotional materials such as flyers and email content, assisting with participant incentive plans, packaging and shipping out promotional materials and incentives, compiling toolkits for participants, updating websites, and organizing reports for administrators and organizations.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment at Live Healthy Iowa was taking on a leadership role in coordinating event sites for the Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championships. This event is state wide, and was the first project I had done with such a large population. I was able to not only test my organizational abilities, but actually see my hard work in action. I was in charge of recruiting communities, registering organizers and participants, sending ribbons and equipment, updating the website integrative map, customizing site flyers, and providing support to organizers when needed. It taught me communication skills, leadership skills, and the importance of team-work. It most of all showed me how much of an impact such an event can make on the youth population in promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

What advice would you give?

My advice is to not be afraid of trying something new. Take all the opportunities you can get. Live Healthy Iowa was not an internship that I was drawn to initially, but can say that I am happy to be proved wrong. I learned more than I ever imagined and loved every second I worked there. You won't know until you try, and worst case scenario is that you learn what doesn't work for you, which only leads you closer to a career that you absolutely love. So take the chance, step out of your comfort zone, and say "yes" as much as you can during this time of exploration.