Staff Spotlight: Amanda Drobek

Title:
Recruitment Manager

Photos

Once a Roots Intern herself, Amanda came full circle to help facilitate experiences like the one she had. She loves to travel, try new food, explore nature, and make new friends along the way.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory (no bias here) is the time I spent as a Roots Intern in Malawi. Going out to the project just 2 months after graduating university, I was ready to take on any tasks to gain exposure in the real world. My entire life changed through the work I did in community development. Traveling to a rural village and being able to assist in improving livelihoods while connecting on an individual human level is an experience I’ll carry with me forever.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since starting my position, I’ve come to learn more about the behind-the-scenes work of grassroots organizations and the incredible people running them. I’ve had opportunities to connect with students, faculty, and nonprofit founders & managers from all walks of life and regions of the world. These connections and what I’ve learned from the people I’ve met will no doubt assist me throughout my career.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The best stories I’ve heard from alumni interns are those that continue to work with the organizations they intern with. Whether they work remotely to assist with funding or return back to the project site to aid in work on the ground, it is always a great feeling to know that both the intern and nonprofit have truly benefited from the placement.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would love to be a participant on the Humanitarian Photography program. Having witnessed first-hand the impact our partner organizations make in their communities, it would be great to learn how to capture this. Being able to share the work of grassroots organizations is a key to spreading their mission and accessing funding opportunities which can transform their work.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Roots Intern is unique in the organization we choose to partner with. We go through an extensive process to ensure our placements are with small, grassroots organizations that are directly making an impact in the lives of their communities. I’ve been proud to be part of the Roots team since I joined, because I experienced first-hand how the connections we make can positively influence the lives of everyone involved.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor in being a successful company is a quality product. We only offer internships that we know are a value-add to all the stakeholders; the intern, the organization, and the local community. With quality listings, we can let the experiences speak for themselves and do not need to worry about pushing the “sale” of a product we aren’t fully confident in.