Golden LEAF External Affairs Intern Spotlight: Kaitlyn Parker
Name: Kaitlyn Parker
County from: Franklin County
College Attended/ Years Attended: NC State (2022-2025)
Graduate School: Western Carolina University (Fall 2026)
Areas of Study: English/Creative Writing
Follow Kaitlyn on LinkedIn by clicking here.
What does it mean to you to serve as an intern at Golden LEAF?
Serving as an intern at Golden LEAF means supporting my past without compromising on my future. Coming from a small town, I was under the impression that my opportunities were limited unless I left for highly urban areas or an entirely different state. My experience at the Golden LEAF Foundation has helped me realize the breadth of opportunities I’ll have at home; staying in a rural area no longer felt like it was a full stop on my life trajectory, but instead a steady pace towards the next chapter of my life.
What have you learned that you didn’t think would be a part of External Affairs work?
One aspect of External Affairs work I did not expect was how closely they work with the scholarship team and related events. There is a lot of overlap in external communications for the foundation and for the scholarship program. I love that I was able to transfer my industry related skills between the two Golden LEAF departments and improve my ability to communicate with a wider variety of audiences.
What are some of your favorite things you do as an intern at Golden LEAF?
My favorite things that I have done as an intern at Golden LEAF have been the interviews with grantees and subsequent articles I get to write. I love that I have been given the opportunity to hone my journalistic communication and writing skills as a result of this internship. I am very proud of the article about Isothermal Community College’s covered riding arena which was published as a perspective at EdNC.
Describe Golden LEAF in three words.
Benevolent. Philanthropic. Grassroots.
What type of work do you want to do when you graduate and where do you see yourself living and working?
Following the completion of my Masters of Creative Writing at Western Carolina University, I want to work as a content writer. To me, working as a writer means connecting with others through a storytelling medium, whether it’s an article, a social media post, or a novel. I see myself living in Jackson County and working in the neighboring area for the next few years, hopefully engaging with local news outlets, public relations, and creative industries.
Would you like to share any words of advice for prospective interns?
Network and build as many relationships as you can! The Golden LEAF Foundation has connections with people across the entire state and dozens of industries. Chances are, they will be able to connect you to the right person, business, or industry that will best fit your needs. Remember that the internship is ultimately a pathway designed to aid the future rural leaders of North Carolina: it’s here to help you.