We are thrilled to give a shoutout to Grace McKenna, whose creativity, work ethic, and organization skills made her an invaluable part of Strive during her internship with us. As a senior at the University of Delaware, Grace joined us through a Parker Dewey micro-internship, a program designed to give students real-world experience while connecting them with organizations they might not have discovered otherwise. For Strive, this project was a perfect fit, and Grace’s contributions went above and beyond.
Grace came to Strive eager to gain hands-on experience in professional video editing and production while also learning more about nonprofit work. From the start, she approached each project with intention, balancing creativity and professionalism. She crafted videos that immediately capture the viewer’s attention, all while conveying Strive’s core message: how you lead matters.
The biggest challenge Grace faced was organizing the vast amount of footage she was provided. Selecting the best clips and structuring them effectively could have been overwhelming, but her meticulous organization skills turned it into a smooth and efficient process. Her dedication and thoughtful approach ensured that each video told a compelling story while highlighting the energy, growth, and joy of Strive participants.
“I was really impressed by Grace’s work ethic and the speed and quality of the videos she produced,” says Vaishnav, Strive’s Marketing & Communications Manager, who oversaw the project. “I also admired how adaptable she was, a skill that will serve her well in her future career. I can’t wait to see her anchoring the news one day and see her on TV.”
Grace’s experience with the Parker Dewey micro-internship not only strengthened her skills in video editing and storytelling but also demonstrated just how valuable these short-term, flexible opportunities can be for students. The program gives students a chance to build resumes, explore career paths, and gain meaningful experience while supporting small businesses and nonprofits.
Looking ahead, Grace aspires to pursue a career in media communications in New York, with the goal of starting as a production assistant at a news outlet and working her way up into reporting and anchoring. Her time with Strive showed her the power of storytelling, and how creativity and dedication can truly make an impact. We are so proud of the work she accomplished and can’t wait to see the amazing things she does next!