Noah is a junior at Syracuse University, majoring in Policy Studies and Psychology with a minor in Strategic Management. His interest in expanding literacy began as a middle schooler when he started reading to younger students. He has carried this interest into college, where he has worked in the Syracuse City School district giving literacy lessons.
Noah is very excited to be joining the Words Alive team, where he will be working as our non-profit administration and governance intern. Using team building and policy skills, he hopes to further the Words Alive mission of creating empowering programs that inspire life-long learners through reading.
Outside of schoolwork and volunteering, Noah likes to play soccer and basketball and is on a variety of intramural sports teams. He also enjoys anything outdoors, from hiking to kayaking. When he wants to relax, he listens to music or goes to a museum.
Noah’s passion for nonprofit work has grown throughout his time in college, where he has volunteered at various organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House and the Special Olympics. He has also developed an interest in administration from working in a planning and development department recently. These experiences coupled with his interest in literacy made Words Alive the perfect fit for him.
How did you discover Words Alive? What drew you to interning here?
I discovered Words Alive from a weekly email that is sent out to Syracuse University students about places they might be interested in interning. After reading Words Alive’s mission statement, I knew that this is an opportunity that I wanted to pursue. The work that they do here is extremely meaningful, and doing fulfilling work is at the core of why I wanted to be a Policy Studies major. I also hope to possibly pursue a career in nonprofit administration, so this internship aligns well with my future career goals.
What book or story has had a big impact on you? Do you have a favorite quote?
One book that has had a big impact on me is Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. This book has fueled my passion for nature, and it has inspired me to get in touch with outdoors activities and try new things. A quote from the book that really resonated with me is, “The core of man’s spirit comes from new experiences.” I try to have an open mind when trying new things, and this sentiment is part of what drove me to Words Alive.
What do you hope to gain from being a non-profit administration and governance intern?
I hope to gain real-world experience about how a non-profit works. The nonprofit sector is somewhere that I can envision myself working at in the future, so learning as much as I can during my time here will give me an invaluable base to take to my future.