Meet our 2016 Summer Interns!
August 3, 2016
Mackenzie Schiff, Third Party Fundraising Intern
From: Chicago, IL
College: College of William & Mary, Class of 2017
Studying: Marketing
Why did you want to intern with Water Mission? I'm really passionate about fighting global poverty and especially the global water crisis, and I am hoping to use my marketing degree to tell compelling stories of individuals and communities in need of aid. This internship has given me the chance to learn many different aspects of marketing and to work with this amazing organization to be a part of bringing safe water and sharing the gospel all over the world.
What's your favorite project so far in your internship? Working on Scotty's Ride — Scotty is an incredible kid with an amazing dream of biking across the country next summer, and I'm so excited to see what the Lord will accomplish through him!
Tell us about your proudest accomplishment. Starting a nonprofit with a friend in high school to bring safe water, food, and medicine to a village in Haiti.
Of all the summer interns, who would you vote for to become President of the United States? Grace.
Elizabeth (Liz) Surratt, Community Development Health Promotion Intern
From: Pawleys Island, SC
College: University of South Carolina, Class of 2016
Studying: Exercise Science with a minor in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior
Why did you want to intern with Water Mission? Water Mission has it all! The organization combines my passion for health promotion and helping others in Jesus’s name. Public health is a broad field, so I was looking for an experience that would help me figure out my next step for my future and career. I am a huge advocate for a holistic approach to wellness, and Water Mission applies this through their community development programs all around the world.
What's your favorite project in your internship so far? Applying the Health Belief Model to community development programs. The model will help us further assess individual behavior change in regards to hygiene and sanitation. This project really challenged me for the better!
What's been the best part of working at our HQ? Free food, duh. Just kidding! The best part of working here is that it truly is a productive, flexible, and encouraging work environment. Each week is filled with activities such as morning huddle, ping pong, Bible studies, and “Lunch and Learn” that keep staff connected. It amazes me how the Lord uses everyone here to reach those in need around the world. I learned that you do not always have to travel somewhere else to transform lives.
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list? Food truck farmer’s market every Sunday at the Pour House in West Ashley, a Charleston RiverDogs game, and a run along the Battery.
Of all the summer interns, who would you vote for to become President of the United States? Grace Park.
Tyler Mueller, Innovation Engineering Intern
From: Newport News, VA
College: Virginia Tech, Class of 2017 (Go Hokies)
Studying: Civil Engineering
Why did you want to intern with Water Mission? For my summer, I wanted an internship that was hands on, applicable, and empowering. Chris Gilson, a 2015 intern, assured me of just that when he spoke of Water Mission. I was hesitant to apply for an internship that was unpaid, but the opportunity to apply my education for the purpose of radically changing lives and eternities was too good to pass up.
What's your favorite project so far in your internship? I will rebel and pick multiple. Bert [Morrison, Senior Project Engineer] asked me to learn Arduino code and to subsequently set up a user interface on the iPad for the ultrafiltration systems. This task was great because it was so empowering. I got to pioneer designing and testing a user interface that could very well be implemented on future projects around the world. Another favorite project of mine was installing sinks in the lab. This was our first assignment. One day Bert dropped two sink heads and a water heater off in the lab and said he needed them operational for our water quality testing. That was pretty much all we were told. Then it was on us to become amateur plumbers.
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list? Charleston RiverDogs baseball game, swing dancing at Prohibition (shout out to Kyle Whitcroft [Special Events Coordinator]), and climbing one of the cool old trees downtown like you would do if you were nine.
Tell us about your proudest accomplishment. At school, I have an amazing community around me. This is not a specific event, but I would say I am proud to have had the initiative to surround myself with so many great people. Not everyone has such an opportunity, so I will consider it one of my proudest accomplishments.
Of all the summer interns, who would you vote for to become President of the United States? Denzel – Seitz 2028. This team’s chemistry is unstoppable. (Editor's Note: That's a vote for Ellen and Haley, meet them below.)
Ellen Denzel, General Engineering Intern
From: Columbus, Ohio
College: Clemson University, Class of 2017
Studying: Industrial Engineering
Why did you want to intern with Water Mission? I decided to pursue an engineering degree in hopes of being able to use it to serve developing countries in some way. When I heard about Water Mission and the work they do, I knew it would be a perfect internship. It has allowed me to not only learn engineering concepts, but also learn how God can use engineering to glorify His name.
What's your favorite project so far in your internship? Getting to help with AutoCAD designs for a project in Kenya that is currently being implemented.
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list? Kayaking to and camping on an island. I recommend Caper's!
Of all the summer interns, who would you vote for to become President of the United States? Heather Helble.
Grace Park, Innovation Engineering Intern
From: Seoul, South Korea
College: Duke University, Class of 2017
Studying: Civil Engineering
Why did you want to intern with Water Mission? I became more passionate about water after a mission trip in the Philippines where I partnered with a Korean NGO to pass out small portable water filters to different communities. Not only did I get to see the ways that safe water impacted the community but also how the Lord calls us to be vessels that spread His Living Water. This summer, I wanted to use engineering for ministry, and Water Mission seemed like an amazing opportunity (and it has been beyond any of my expectations!).
What's your favorite project so far in your internship? My favorite project has been operating and performing tests on the Ultrafiltration systems, a new filtration system that Water Mission could potentially use in the future. As an organization that strives to be best-in-class, Water Mission desires to use innovative technology to better serve others. It is awesome to be a part of something this special!
What's been the best part of working at our HQ? Being able to be a part of the great things God is doing in Water Mission! I am constantly encouraged by the staff, the volunteers, and the countless testimonies of His faithfulness. I love witnessing the intentionality of the ministry that is built on humility and a love that comes from Christ alone.
Tell us about your proudest accomplishment. Engineering and building a school in Uganda with a small team of engineers at Duke!
Of all the summer interns, who would you vote for to become President of the United States? Savannah
Haley Seitz, Church Partnerships Intern
From: Charlotte, NC
College: Appalachian State University, Class of 2017
Studying: Public Relations & Communications
Why did you want to intern with Water Mission? I recently shadowed at another nonprofit and felt called to engage in the meaningful work they did. After I heard about Water Mission, I was immediately intrigued and knew it was where I wanted to intern this summer. It has allowed me to learn about the needs all over the world and make an impact alongside the staff here.
What's your favorite project so far in your internship? My favorite project so far has definitely been working on Project Disaster. It is so fun to be able to work creatively on a project like this and then watch it be implemented within church youth groups. Another fun project was being able to make a music video as a 'thank you' for a little girl who raised $1,000 for us. It was fun to be able to make it and thank her in that way!
Tell us about your proudest accomplishment. I once hiked Pikes Peak, a 14,115 ft. mountain in Colorado.
Of all the summer interns, who would you vote for to become President of the United States? Absolutely Grace Park.
Jennifer Clarke, General Engineering Intern
From: Pipersville, Pennsylvania
College: University of Maryland, Class of 2016
Studied: Civil Engineering
Why did you want to intern with Water Mission? I have volunteered several times at an orphanage in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where Water Mission put in a safe water system. During my time there, I was able to see the opportunities safe water provided those children. Interning at Water Mission seemed like the perfect way to work for the Lord, while applying what I had been studying in school.
What's your favorite project so far in your internship? I have spent most of the summer working on a Technical Handbook, explaining all the standard engineering practices Water Mission uses on its projects. I have really enjoyed working on such a useful project and have learned a ton. I was also able to spend a few days back in production retrofitting two old Living Water™ Treatment Systems. I had a blast back there getting my hands dirty and wet testing the systems with Jared (Project Engineer) and some of our wonderfully wise volunteers.
What's been the best part of working at our HQ? Learning from the diverse group of people here. I have particularly benefited from hearing about some of the project engineers' experiences. Their stories about the people they work with internationally have been a huge inspiration for me as I worked on this handbook, which will one day be used to train new engineers.
Favorite Charleston adventure this summer: Going on the river float with some of the other interns and staff!
Of all the summer interns, who would you vote for to become President of the United States? I would vote for Savannah.
Savannah Bowman, Production Management Intern
From: Beaufort, SC
College: Clemson University, Class of 2017
Studying: Chemical Engineering and Religious Studies
Why did you want to intern with Water Mission? As an engineering major, I have been looking for the opportunity to use engineering in a ministry-focused way. Water Mission exemplifies this, and it has been such a privilege and a blessing to be here for the summer!
What's your favorite project so far in your internship? I really enjoyed making assembly stations for the new erosion chlorinator and chlorinator packing. It's satisfying to see how efficient processes can become with some organization and 5S methodology!
What's been the best part of working at our HQ? Everyone has been wonderful to me, but I am especially thankful for Jeremy, David, Elizabeth, and the volunteers. I have spent my summer learning, laughing, growing in faith, and feeling well-loved by them all. I am so grateful for their friendships; they make Water Mission the amazing place that it is!
What should everyone add to their Charleston bucket list? Sailing with Jay!
Of all the summer interns, who would you vote for to become President of the United States? Grace!
Kim Warren, Community Development Intern
From: Williamsburg, Virginia
College: Clemson University, Class of 2016
Studying: Political Science
Why did you want to intern with Water Mission? I wanted to experience and see firsthand how a Christian nonprofit works. I am a political science major, and seeing a nonprofit that has interacted with many different nations and governments was really cool. God is sovereign and it showed me how His mission will go forth regardless of government or borders.
What's your favorite project so far in your internship? My favorite project has been working on a report about the role gender plays in water management and seeing how intentional God was when he designed men and women.
Favorite Charleston adventure this summer: Getting engaged in the middle of the Charleston Harbor!
Tell us about your proudest accomplishment. Graduating from Clemson University this past May. I am the first in my family to graduate from college!
Of all the summer interns, who would you vote for to become President of the United States? Liz Surratt — without a doubt.
Editor's Note: We also had the privilege of having Heather Helble join us as a Community Development Research Intern. Heather recently graduated from the College of Charleston in Public Health and is now pursuing a Masters in Public Health at the Medical University of South Carolina.
And that's a wrap on our amazing 2016 Summer Interns! If you were keeping track, Grace Park won the vote for President of the United States, with Savannah coming in a close second and possible pairing for VP. Comment below and encourage them as they head back to school and onto new opportunities! Currently, six internship opportunities are open for the Fall 2016 semester. Applications are due August 5th. To learn more and watch for the latest opportunities to intern with us, click here. INTERN WITH WATER MISSION
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