Why did you want to intern at The Red Pencil?
The Red Pencil’s mission is to bring the power of arts therapy around the world to children and families who have been through traumatic life experiences. This resonated well with me as art-making has always been my solace since young. Interning as part of the marketing and communications department meant that I will be a part of The Red Pencil’s journey to fulfil their noble mission and the prospect of that was really intriguing and drew me in.
What is a piece of advice you would have for a prospective intern applying to The Red Pencil?
My advice would be to have an open mind and always be curious! Art therapy is a growing field and many, including yourself, may have a lot of misconceptions about it. As you spend more time in The Red Pencil and learn more about art therapy, you will grow to understand the genuine impact art therapy has on people’s lives.
What are your plans and goals after your internship with The Red Pencil?
My plans after the internship would be to go on to my third year of university as well as to embark on my official Work Attachment for school. Having experienced working in the marketing department at a non-profit organization, I am eager to explore other areas of the marketing industry while equipped with the knowledge and experiences that this internship has given me.
How has the internship been beneficial to your personal and professional development (so far)?
Interning at The Red Pencil personally motivates me to step outside of my comfort zone more frequently and also to be brave and steadfast when delving into unconventional realms. Art Therapy in general is still a relatively new field, however, seeing the hard work of the people at The Red Pencil in their efforts to carry out the mission of the organization inspires me to also be courageous in doing what I love even though it may an untrodden path.
With regard to my professional development, interning at The Red Pencil taught me how to communicate effectively in a small team. I was also given the rare opportunity to work directly with the organization’s founder on some tasks which I felt was a valuable experience as an intern. Apart from that, I have gained many other experiences such as interviewing art therapists, representing the organization in events as well as taking part in a fund raising campaign. Through these fruitful experiences, I was able to better understand the works and operations of a non-profit organization and these takeaways will certainly be useful in my future career path.
“I am eager to explore other areas of the marketing industry while equipped with the knowledge and experiences that this internship has given me. “
“Art Therapy in general is still a relatively new field, however, seeing the hard work of the people at The Red Pencil in their efforts to carry out the mission of the organization inspires me to also be courageous in doing what I love even though it may an untrodden path. “
“The Red Pencil provides the vulnerable with the opportunity to seek healing from an alternative source which is art therapy."
Why do you think The Red Pencil’s mission is important?
The Red Pencil’s mission is important as not everyone benefits equally from traditional forms of therapy such as psychoanalytic therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. The Red Pencil provides the vulnerable with the opportunity to seek healing from an alternative source which is art therapy. This suits well with those who are uncomfortable to talk about their trauma as it provides them with the freedom of expression without using words.