Pass It Forward internship program spotlight: Josephine Hinderman

Josephine is a self-published author and working as an Amazon Listing Content Specialist.

After spending over a year as news editor at the Vilas County News-Review in Eagle River, I moved back to the Fox Valley to be closer to family.

I am now working at Toys for Trucks in Appleton as an Amazon Listing Content Specialist, where I write Amazon listings and product descriptions for aftermarket vehicle parts.

As a sort of side hustle, I devote much of my free time to being a self-published author of horror and romance books, as well.

If you don’t find me at work, I’m either writing in a cafe or lurking at the Appleton Public Library.

The Pass It Forward program is probably the most important, most foundational experience I have ever had in my young adult life.

Not only did it teach me writing, communication and overall people skills that I still utilize to this day, but it led me down a path that truly opened my eyes to the world around me.

Through all the people I have met, spoken to and written stories about, and the places this program has taken me to and the experiences it gave me a chance to take part in, they have had a profound effect on who I am as a person and how I interact with the world around me.

I could not be more thankful for giving this program a chance.

I was a dreadfully shy and introverted college student when I started this program, and while I’m still very much an introvert, I feel this program made me just slightly less so and made me less afraid to go beyond my comfort zone.

It helped me discover parts of myself, my identity and who I strive to be as both a working adult and a human being, and I am forever grateful.

To those who have a chance or even the slightest interest in either journalism, writing, communication, media or just this program in general, give it a shot.

Take that chance, because it is run by amazing people who are eager to teach and support you, you work with like-minded peers that lead to lasting connections and memories and you never know what kind of avenues it will open up for you in the future.

Through the program, I wholeheartedly believe that it will allow you to gain a deeper understanding, awareness and appreciation for your community as well, as it forces you from your comfort zone to explore, speak to and try out different parts of it that you may not have known about before or may have otherwise been hesitant to try.

This program was an amazing, eye-opening and fun experience that I think would be of immense value to anyone who decides to try it out.