Mike Johnson '12

Cedar Rapids Downtown District, Cedar Rapids, IA

During the summer of 2010, Mike Johnson '12 worked for the Cedar Rapids Downtown District as a Development, Events, & Marketing Intern. Some of his tasks included coordinating and working at the seasons’ Downtown Farmers’ Markets and lobbying the city to rehabilitate over 100 street lights that were damaged by the flood of June 2008. He also assisted with more administrative tasks such as updating our events calendar, handing out collateral marketing material, and contacting vendors.

However, the task of which Johnson is most proud is one that he created for himself: he wrote and received a grant to create a community mural, secured a location, and found an artist to paint the mural, entitled “Bringing Downtown to Life.”

This internship had a big impact on Mike. He says, "I feel that this internship has made the possibility of staying to work in the Corridor a reality. I would like to seek additional internships in different areas as well but I think the Corridor is special; it is easy to get involved at a young age in this area. The people of this community are what made this internship so meaningful and I am thankful that I had the opportunity."

"I feel much more anxious to pursue independent research now as a result of this internship. I found myself wanting to explore issues related to urban planning, and non-profit management; two great potential areas of study for graduate school. Because of this internship I view work experience as a way to more fully develop my studies at Cornell for the next two years. Who knows what may happen after I graduate, but at least I now have a more clear idea of what it is I am passionate about and what I enjoy doing for work."

Click here to read Mike's blog.