Testimonials

From Interns:

"I had an incredible experience interning at ICC Ann Arbor. Not only was I given the freedom to lead projects and see them through, but I gained valuable professional experience. In fact, I was hired for my current job as a direct result of the skills I gained during my internship at the ICC. Lastly, I made meaningful friendships that have stayed with me far beyond the summer."
- Halie Albertson, Inter-Cooperative Council at the University of Michigan Intern 2016

"I had an incredible summer in Buffalo, NY working with the Nickel City Housing Coop and Buffalo First. For each organization, I had very tangible projects that made my summer feel meaningful and satisfying. I had just returned from 1.5 years of travelling so having a short-term gig that allowed me to sink my teeth into community development/research/education work again was the perfect transition back to the working world with co-ops. I was fortunate to work with wonderful people and get to know a new city too. I was warmly welcomed and I have new friends for life."
- Erin Hancock, Nickel City Housing Coop and Buffalo First Inc. Intern 2016

"This experience helped me learn a lot about cooperative decision-making processes and communal living. I gained knowledge and perspective that I will carry with me into the future about the benefits structuring one's lifestyle around ethics of cooperation."
- Maddie Batzli, Madison Community Cooperative Intern 2016

“This is the only paid/compensated internship I've ever had, after doing a bunch of unpaid ones, and that's a really big deal. The fact that NASCO provides access to paid internships where you can build up co-op experience is A+++, a super unique and necessary resource."
- Program participant, 2015

“The Cooperative Internship Network helped me land a full-time job in a co-op after graduation. I just got hired at a collectively managed grocery co-op!! And while my four years in my co-op probably contributed more to making me a strong candidate, I think this internship program allowed me to demonstrate my commitment to the cooperative movement beyond just my home co-op."
- Program participant, 2015

“I interned at the Amalgamated Housing Cooperative for a summer and I can honestly say that the experience has changed me in ways I will never forget. To go to a city where you've never been, live in a neighborhood where you know no one, and be treated as family by Co-opers there is a true testimonial to the Cooperative way of living. The experience of working in such a large cooperative gave me insights on things to apply to my own co-op back home. I learned so much about the world (and myself) and can only say that I can't wait to see my new family again.”
- Monica Serrano, College Houses

“The internship was amazing and more than I had imagined. My co-intern and I were deeply embedded in the local co-op scene through our work with three different organizations and that was a treat! I loved the house I was placed in and the wide scope of opportunities I could choose in the work that I did.”
- Program participant, 2014

From Hosts:

We had a great experience, start to finish with NASCO and our summer intern. NASCO offered us a number of qualified applicants who they screened and ranked, identifying a recommended candidate. After interviewing our top three choices, the NASCO recommendation was the clear winner! We hired her and both she and our organization had a great summer.
- Suzanne Adams, West Chester Food Co-op

"Having a NASCO intern brought new enthusiasm and competence about coops to our organization. We valued the insights of a fresh set of eyes, as well as the chance to try out new ways to support and serve our members. We ended up developing a full-time position based on the intern's work over the summer, and hiring her on at the end of the internship term. As a result of the intern's efforts, our coop board and committees are better organized, educated, and supported. Very impressed with the caliber of applicants and the program organization in general."
- Carolyn Edsell-Vetter, A Yard & A Half Landscaping Cooperative

"We loved hosting our Cooperative Design Intern last summer! She left us with a treasure trove of graphic goodness: logos, t-shirt designs, a new website, and amazing infographics. The NASCO Internship Network is a wonderful resource for connecting the cooperative movement!"
- Noah Compo, University of Kansas Student Housing Association (UKSHA)

"Our intern surpassed our expectations for our Hosteling program! Thank you NASCO."
- Jacob Pietsc, College Houses

"We've been thrilled to get qualified, motivated, and values-aligned cooperators to work with us on our projects. The NASCO Internship Network has been a real boon to us as an ambitious organization with a shoestring budget."
- G. Paul Blundell, The Federation of Egalitarian Communities

“NASCO made the internship process go smoothly by reaching out to students across the country who are emerging cooperative leaders, they were able to bring together great interns that were able to contribute to the cooperative movement.”
- Jonah Fertig, Cooperative Development Institute

"The support NASCO has provided has helped Nickel City to be a more effective housing cooperative, and has reminded us of the larger cooperative network and resources we are a part of."
- Andrew Delmonte and Heather Gring, Nickel City Housing Cooperative

“Being able to pull from NASCO's membership is very valuable as they are more likely than your average bear to be interested in and familiar with egalitarian cooperative projects.”
- Program participant, 2015