Hattie's Story
Hattie Fletcher was a work-study intern from Mount Hood Community College during the 2022-2023 school year. She was responsible for creating a number of blog posts and other content, as well as researching what was needed for our Summer 2023 employee appreciation Pickleball event. We wish Hattie the best of luck as she moves on to her next adventure!
Hi, my name is Hattie, and I am currently in my second year at Mt. Hood Community College. I plan on transferring to Oregon State University in the fall where I will major in conservation and minor in communications. I have been working as the communications intern at MHAAO since November 2022. My experience as an intern has been exceptionally rewarding, both personally and professionally. I hope to continue working for non-profit organizations as that is what I find the most purpose in. While I am more focused on conservation, mental health and addiction will forever be prominent in my life.
Growing up, my stepmom struggled with addiction for many years before eventually succumbing to it. Working for an organization that is working hard to help those struggling with mental health and addiction was extremely meaningful for me on a personal level. Not only did I find significant meaning in the work being done at MHAAO, but I also gained much great experience.
Working remotely has had benefits as well as drawbacks. At times it was hard not being in an office environment. I sometimes felt as though I was missing out on that in-person, hands-on experience. But I learned a ton, and everyone was always happy to help me whenever needed. This was also a valuable lesson in how to navigate remote work which will be very beneficial to me as a lot of companies have gone remote. Plus, working remotely allowed me the freedom to continue traveling which is what fuels my passions and keeps me on track towards reaching my future goals.
It was great getting to do a wide array of tasks. From writing blog posts to gathering information for different events, every task I was given helped me gain new skills and be better prepared for my future career. I am very happy to have been a small part of all the amazing work that is being done and I really enjoyed working as an intern for MHAAO. I truly feel as though the experience I gained will be very beneficial to my future endeavors.