This Intern Day of Service was another interactive way for us to engage in the Samsung experience, as it resembled Samsung’s company-wide Day of Service occurring each fall. Jack Madden, University Relations, explained the process in planning the event, “This year our interns took part in an innovative Day of Service unlike anything our program has ever done. In our virtual world, one of the key challenges we face is class-wide engagement. With their short time with the organization, coupled with their busy schedules, it is difficult to get all of the interns together for every event. Our interns were sent clean-up equipment and, over the course of one afternoon, picked up a collective 950+ pounds of trash around their neighborhoods. In addition to the clean-up, they learned more about how important it is to maintain healthy waterways and the different practices individuals can take to learn their carbon footprint.”
Each intern took advantage of Samsung mobile devices to capture our day on camera to increase engagement and connectivity. Later that evening, the event administrators presented a slideshow including everyone’s pictures and led discussions highlighting some of our newly cleaned communities.
In Houston, Texas, Software Analysis Engineering intern, Lashani De Alwis, completed her clean-up individually at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve. “Samsung’s Intern Day of Service provided real-time, hands-on volunteering experience that added a lot of meaning to my overall summer internship.”
Puja Patel, an intern on the Strategic Operations Team, completed her clean-up individually in downtown Columbus, Ohio. “It felt good to give back to the community that raised me. These are the things that are important to me,” said Puja. “I want the company I work for to be strong in communities both locally and globally.” Although she went solo for her service activities, she confirmed feeling connected despite being miles apart. “We were keeping each other updated with when and where we were going. Being able to share that experience was nice to have been a part of together, even though we are not in person.”
Mobile intern, Kyung Mo Kang, hit the streets in X to complete a clean-up in his community.
I was lucky enough to share this experience with two other students from Rutgers University also interning at Samsung this summer. Excited to meet new friends at both work and school, we did not initially realize the significant contribution toward our university and the Day of Service as a whole. As we walked up and down College Avenue picking up trash and recyclables, numerous Rutgers faculty and members of the larger New Brunswick community expressed their gratitude for our efforts.
Amit Patel, 5G Test intern, Justine Catli, Networks Engineering intern, and Alana Gomez-Solis, Corporate Communications intern, gathered together to clean up around their school, Rutgers University.
Devin Beamon, an intern on the Samsung Care Team, had a similar experience in Texas. He partnered with a friend outside of the Samsung organization interested in Biology and Environmental Science. In discussing his time, he explained, “It was eye-opening. When you think of going to pick up trash, you think of a wounded environment or going somewhere new to volunteer. In reality, if you walk outside and go into your local area, there is so much you can do.”
Samsung Care Team intern, Devin Beamon, picked up trash in his local community in Texas.
As we concluded our day by gathering on a video conference for a wrap-up session, we each came to the same realization as Beamon. In talking about our different communities and exchanging links for reusable straws in the chat box, it was amazing to see how much of an impact we made in a few short hours.
It can sometimes be easy to get caught up in the hustle of academics, work, or extracurricular activities, and forget to take time to give back. However, the Intern Day of Service showed just how simple and effective it can be to make a difference with a few trash bags and a pair of gloves right outside your front door. Samsung’s balance between professional and personal growth continues to inspire each of us to reach our fullest potential to benefit those around us. Having picked up a collective 950+ pounds of trash from the East to the West Coast, we ended our workday feeling beyond proud of each other and grateful to intern at a company like Samsung that cares so much about our local communities.
Mobile B2B intern, Nicholas Tolas, shared his clean-up of a popular trail in his community located in central California.
Alaina Gregory, Networks Business – Verizon CAT intern, went to a local park to clean up trash.
Daniel Holt, Consumer Electronics intern, cleaned up the Loway Creek in Ames, Iowa. “I had a great time partnering with Samsung and my fellow intern cohort all around the US in cleaning up waste found in our waterways.”
About the contributor:
Alana Gomez-Solis, Corporate Communications Intern Summer 2021
A digital native and member of Gen Z, Alana looks to utilize communication and creativity in contributing to Samsung Electronics America’s fast-moving innovation. She is currently a rising senior at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She looks forward to graduating this spring with a major in marketing, minor in digital communications, information, and media, and a concentration in global business.
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