I enjoyed every aspect of my summer internship. I enjoyed working with a team of professionals that all helped put together an annual Health Fair. I learned a lot about what goes into event planning from budgeting, booking entertainment, hospitality, requesting donations, and handling administrative tasks.
What I wish was different
VGMHC functions in an interesting way given that its administrative and marketing team are separate from the Clinic, which often made it hard to work together. There were a few workflow hiccups that caused confusion and slowed the planning process.
This was my second summer volunteering as a health fair assistant, I wish I started earlier than June so that I could partake in the preplanning meetings to offer my input and ideas on how to better work together. I would have enjoyed attending a conference/workshop/ or training to guide/ inspire my planning process.
Advice
Don't be afraid to be super organized.
I can not stress how I organized I was in coordinating the Health Fair. Excel was my best friend. I even feel like I still could have done better.
Don't forget: Evaluation or making a report about the event is just as important as actually planning it -- even if your supervisor does not necessarily think it's important. Do it for your own professional growth. Go the extra mile :)
