RippleMatch is a startup (launched in 2017) that uses “algorithms and internal talent advisors automate the frustrating job search process, matching [students] directly with great fit opportunities and fast-tracking [them] to first-round interviews at some of the best companies in the world.”
With RippleMatch, I spent time during the Spring 2022 semester designing and spearheading a student expansion strategy. I will also learn and utilize various in-depth business development, marketing, and consumer behavior strategies. The program includes one-on-one mentorship to develop goals and prepare myself for a career.
I was originally hired as a virtual summer intern for The Violence Project and was tasked with helping the two co-founders regroup after the pandemic threw off their plans for the spring. Over that summer I created content for and managed their social media, added over 100 media mentions and news articles to their website, crafted literature reviews on gun violence topics, and assisted with the launch of the second version of their mass shooter database. Toward the end of the summer I took on more responsibility and provided feedback on the co-founders’ book.
In late August 2020, I was asked to continue my work with them part-time during the fall semester. Throughout the fall I continued posting on social media and updating the website. At the end of that term I was asked once again to continue my work with The Violence Project as their operations manager. I worked 30-hour weeks during my winter break developing The Off-Ramp Project website (details in my portfolio), coding a case in their database from March of 2020, adding variables about victims’ life expectancy and managing social media. This work continued into the spring of 2021 until the launch Off-Ramp in May 2021. In this time I also helped send out monthly newsletters and began automating The Violence Project’s contact management and transactional emails.
During the summer of 2021, I updated both websites for The Violence Project and The Off-Ramp Project. I also worked on optimizing both sites to increase traffic and through targeted advertising.
Post-September 2021, I remain well connected with The Violence Project. I am serving as their on-call technology, website, and marketing consultant for The Violence Project and The Off-Ramp Project.
I was hired by the firm during July 2021 to consult on Google Ads performance improvements and social media marketing. In the two months I worked regularly, I assisted in a multi-thousand dollar advertising cost reduction while boosting viable leads and hired clients. I am continuing to consult with the firm as-needed.
(Previously known as the Writing Lab) January 2019 – May 2020; September 2021 – Present
At the Writing Lab, I maintained clear communication with a diverse coalition of students about their appointments. I also controlled the flow of traffic within and around the writing lab office and re-imagined workplace processes for other office managers. This position was dissolved in May 2020 due to the transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once we returned to campus in September 2021, I returned to the Writing, Reading, and Speaking Center as the only returning Office Assistant. Now, the role encompasses marketing the Writing Center to reach a larger, more diverse audience of students. I am also brainstorming and creating new systems for the Writing Center mentors and participants to connect with each other outside of regular appointments, and managing the Writing Center’s social media strategy.
As a part of the Rosenfield Committee, I acted as event manager for a talk by Jillian Peterson (Grinnell ’03) entitled, “Preventing Mass Shooters.” I also innovated new structures into the Rosenfield Program to increase engagement with the rest of the college community. One of these innovations was introducing Rosenfield drop-in hours, at which students can come up to a Rosenfield Program Committee Member and chat about what the program does, how they can get involved, and what events are coming up.
“The Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations, and Human Rights prepares students for a lifetime of civic engagement and connects the Grinnell community to the broader social and political issues that define the world beyond Grinnell.” The Rosenfield Program hosts a major symposium each year; sponsors speakers, campus programs, study tours, and funds summer internships and membership requires a substantial time commitment. I was asked to apply to the committee by Rosenfield Program Director Barb Trish in May 2021 and will serve on it during my senior year at Grinnell.
Working with the history department provided me with the opportunity to build strong relationships with faculty in my major. Throughout my time with the department, I spread and organized information for students and faculty by producing posters, newsletters, and spreadsheets of resources. I also preformed administrative duties for department faculty. During the pandemic, I planned and monitored weekly online events for the series, “History Table: Conversations about Race, Social Justice, and Inequality.” I communicated with guests each week to craft and distribute event invitations to students and community members across the global Grinnell Community.
During high school, I worked part-time at Sheridan and Dulas P.A. with the office manager as a file clerk. I spent most of my time communicating with clients and future clients about their need for a legal representative, but also created organizational systems for physical and electronic files, administrative work, and office supplies.
In the dining hall at Grinnell College, I worked with culinary professionals in the bakery and at the vegetable preparation station. Here, I fostered my ability to effectively work with people from different backgrounds and step outside my comfort zone to accomplish tasks.
At Caribou, I worked as a team member making, serving, and delivering hand-crafted beverages to the public. As a member of the Caribou team, I enhanced customer satisfaction with an exceptional product through pleasant and cheery interactions each morning, afternoon, and in the evening. Each shift I strove to provide excellent customer service to each person to walk through the door or come through the drive-thru.
Toward the end of my freshmen year of college, I reached out to the nonprofit Criminal Defense Services Inc. looking to see if they were interested in an intern for the summer. They connected me with attorney Shawn Betts of Betts Legal Services who hired me for the summer. I filed and analyzed documents to create a new comprehensive system for client management. Throughout the summer I also studied criminal court proceedings and etiquette.
Mary Dillon 