As Haley Abbas finished her freshman year at Michigan State University, she searched for an internship, even though she felt too young and unqualified for the positions she found.
She had just changed her major from studying medicine to business, a dramatic shift from her long-term plan and her family’s career history.
Little did Abbas know the process would significantly change her life.
After receiving an internship offer from a marketing agency, she had to make an important decision: take it or hold out for an organization she had interviewed with but didn’t have an offer from yet.
Turning down a safe bet
Abbas turned down the agency. She didn’t feel they were passionate about their work or the community. They were simply the safe bet.
“I am not going to work somewhere that doesn’t align with my morals, that doesn’t align with my values, because I think that I owe that to myself to be at an organization that does,” Abbas says.
Soon, the other organization — which radiated passion and a connection to the community — offered her an internship.
“I immediately was, like, ‘Yes, this is the place that I want to be,’ Abbas says. “‘This is where I want to get my experience. This is where I really want to learn from.’”
Still with nonprofit
Abbas has worked with that organization, Zeeland-based Lakeshore Advantage, in various capacities ever since. The nonprofit economic development agency, founded in 2003, helps businesses in Ottawa and Allegan counties grow by connecting them to valuable public and private resources.
Now, as their full-time marketing coordinator, the 23-year-old Grand Rapids resident is grateful for the organization’s impact on her life.
“Our leadership team at Lakeshore Advantage, to me, are the most amazing leaders,” Abbas says. “I hope to someday be even half the leaders that they are, because they’ve just really continued to take care of our region. They are always looking ahead. They are always building resources for employers in our region.”
Listen as Abbas tells the rest of her Lakeshore Advantage story on
The Gonsior Show podcast.
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