Operation USA Employee Reviews for Intern

"My role at OpUSA was multifactorial and involved both individual research and collaborative efforts to achieve effective implementation of project goals. I began my study under the guidance of Mrs. Fassig, a truly compassionate leader well versed in the intricacies of non-profit program development. We shared discussions about the world at large and the problems that future generations would need to solve. It was inspiring to learn about the many accomplishments the organization had achieved and a fascinating insight into the inner machinations of a longstanding disaster relief agency. I had the privilege to work alongside Susan in her office at the OpUSA HQ in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles. It was here that I examined how the team operates during both a relative calm and in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. In observation of statewide emergency guidelines, I finished the remainder of my field study at home via remote telecommunications. During my time at OpUSA I had the opportunity to apply my didactic knowledge in a variety of situations. Team briefings were conducted both in-person and by phone on a regular basis and I was responsible for the development of timely and accurate meeting minutes. These minutes were compiled on many different subjects, including organizational restructuring, operations software, bookkeeping, communications, guidelines development, CBO outreach, disaster kits, inventory, in-kind acquisitions, COVID-19 testing kits, and personal protective equipment. I was able to express my opinion in different situations and, on occasion, contributed valuable input from a dual-degree student perspective about the novel coronavirus. In addition, I was able to connect with experts in Los Angeles County and gain valuable insight into potential disaster threats and important CBOs. The level of calm and composure during a fast-paced and demanding situation impressed upon me the importance of team respect and communication during times of distress."