Stepping Into Disaster Relief: My Internship with the American Red Cross

Hello!

My name is Leila Grebby. I am a current Disaster and Emergency Management BSc (Hons) student. This past summer, I relocated to New Jersey on the East Coast of the U.S. to begin an exciting internship with the American Red Cross.
Below is a picture of me on one of the stands handing out community preparedness materials to the local community.

What is an Internship?

An internship is a chance to learn whilst getting experience in the working world and being part of a training programme. It is a great opportunity to work and learn alongside each other.

How did I find my internship?

I knew I wanted to do an internship in Disaster Relief, so I turned to LinkedIn. First, I updated my profile and shared posts about my past experiences. Then, I started connecting with professionals in the field, especially in the U.S., since I had worked there the previous summer.
When sending connection requests, I included a brief note explaining that I was looking for an internship and shared a little about myself. Once they accepted, I followed up by sending my CV. Through this process, someone connected me with the Red Cross, leading to an interview—and ultimately, I got the internship!

What support is in place to find internships?

Utilise the use of Coventry University’s careers and employability team as they have lots contacts within many different fields. There are also opportunities posted on internal careers networks and Linkedin.

What did I learn during my internship?

My internship was an incredible opportunity to develop skills that I wouldn’t have gained elsewhere. During my time with the Red Cross, I dispatched responders to fires, storms, and other emergencies, gaining firsthand experience in crisis coordination. I also worked in a shelter, assisting those affected by a fire, and contributed to the organisation by creating transportation and hazard plans, as well as important operational documents.
Additionally, I attended multiple training sessions, which deepened my knowledge and expanded my skill set. Beyond the hands-on experience, the internship allowed me to build valuable industry connections which will be invaluable for my future career in disaster relief.

Below is the Disaster Action Team exemplary service coin I was given for my work.

Advice to anyone considering an internship

My advice to anyone who is considering it would be to do it. Put a lot of effort into finding one and don’t give up. There were times I considered giving up as it was a tough process with a lot of rejections, but I am so glad I didn’t as I enjoyed every minute of it!