Hello everyone! My name is Giulia Bianchi, and I am in my final year of the Communication Science Bachelor’s programme. I am excited to share with you my experience interning at Justdiggit an NGO based in Amsterdam.
Justdiggit is a non-profit organization dedicated to community-led landscape restoration projects in Kenya and Tanzania. So, what exactly do they dig? Among other nature-based techniques, they are mostly known for digging water bunds, which are semicircular shaped pits designed to capture rainwater that would otherwise wash away over the dry barren soil. These bunds allow rainwater to sip into the soil, fostering new vegetation growth and regreening vast areas.
What does this have to do with communication science?
Surprisingly, a lot! While Justdiggit’s primary focus is landscape restoration, as a non-profit it heavily relies on partnerships and donations to fund its projects and succeed in its ambitious mission: to regreen Sub-Saharan African countries, providing food and water security for local communities, while simultaneously sequestrating substantial amounts of CO2 emissions. To scale up its projects and increase its impact, Justdiggit recognizes the need to leverage the power of communication to attract greater support. For this reason, the organization runs awareness campaigns on multiple media platforms in several countries. Justdiggit is characterized by a distinct company image, with all communication and public materials adhering to strict branding rules and stylistic choices. Additionally, the tone of voice used by Justdiggit stands out from the more traditional and negatively sensationalist tone of other NGOs.
Rediscovering my passion for Communication Science through Justdiggit
To be transparent, most subjects studied in my communication science degree never excited me, and for a while I felt demotivated and unsure of whether this degree would lead me to a fulfilling career. Interning at Justdiggit, however, showed me that the skills I learned during my bachelor’s can be applied to fields that might initially seem unrelated. In the sustainability sector there is a great need to amplify messages and reach bigger audiences. I never liked the idea of working for marketing or advertising agencies pushing products that do not align with my beliefs, but working at Justdiggit makes me feel like I am somehow contributing to something positive and impactful. The tasks I was assigned to during my internship showed me firsthand that effective storytelling and strategic communication can really mobilize many and inspire action.
In conclusion, I believe that interning at a company that aligns with your values can be incredibly motivating. It sets the bar high for what you want in your future job and provides you with valuable insights into what tasks and roles could interest you the most. Moreover, it can guide decisions related to your subsequent academic journey, ensuring that you will pursue a path that truly resonates with your taste.