Casey Feldman Foundation Scholarship Recipient Dylan Mark Pays it Forward
By Isabella Scipioni*
Dylan Mark and Elizabeth Skewes (Dept. of Journalism Chair, CU) with Casey Feldman Foundation founders Joel Feldman (L) and Dianne Anderson (R) meeting this summer to discuss the Foundation’s new journalism scholarship program
Each year, the Casey Feldman Foundation awards a scholarship to students in the University of Colorado-Boulder Public Interest Internship Experience (CU PIIE), providing the funds to receive a salary for an otherwise unpaid internship at a public service agency or non-profit. The 2012 recipient, Dylan Mark, was unable to take an unpaid internship at the time, but the Casey Feldman Foundation scholarship gave him the opportunity to accept a position he otherwise could not have taken.
Non-Profits Generally Don’t Offer Paid Internships
“Non-profits at that time especially had a ton of unpaid internships, and it was really uncommon for a paid internship to be in that space. The Casey Feldman Foundation and Joel and Dianne Anderson enabled me to be able to participate in the internship,” said Mark.
Dylan accepted a position at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, which shelters 7,000 animals each year. He had a rotational experience at the shelter and was able to work in multiple areas including the vet clinic, the front desk, animal intake, and adoptions. After completing his internship, Dylan was given a new career opportunity at CU Boulder.
Casey Feldman Foundation Supported Internship Leads to Full Time Position
Dylan Mark (R) in 2015 at the Feldman home with Casey Feldman Foundation PIIE scholarship recipients Colin Mayberry (2013, Nature Conservancy) and Ramya Palaniappan (2015, Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center)
“I got an internship with Career Services that eventually led to my job, so I can say for certain that without this internship that I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am now,” said Mark.
Dylan was offered a full-time position in the Career Services office after graduating, and he currently serves as the Program Manager for Professional Experiences at CU Boulder. He now works with students and employers to ensure that students feel prepared for their careers ahead of them and can get valuable work experience while still in college. In this position, Dylan gets to carry on the CU PIIE value of helping people in his community.
“I get to do work every day that benefits the world and benefits others,” said Mark.
Dylan received a BA in Sociology with a minor in Religious Studies from CU Boulder in 2013, and this winter, he will graduate with an MS in Marketing from CU Denver. Dylan credits working at the University as the reason he went back to school, saying that the encouragement and tuition benefits offered to employees ultimately led to his decision. Dylan plans on evaluating his skillset over the next few years and figuring out what his next career move will be.
To Make the World a Better Place
Dylan with his painting of “The Flatirons”
“I know that wherever I work, whether it be for a non-profit or a for-profit, I want to have a community, social, or environmental impact on the world around me. I just want to be able to influence the world to be a better place,” said Mark.
Dylan is also doing just that through the vibrant and colorful artwork that he makes in his spare time, believing “that art should be something that creates community and supports others.” A percentage of any art that he sells is donated to charity. Currently, 100% of his sales on prints through his Etsy shop is going to Direct Relief, a charity that serves in emergency situations around the world.
Mark and his wife are also expecting their first child, and they plan on taking this time to reflect on their careers and enjoy this exciting new experience. Dylan is excited to see what the future holds for him and is grateful to be a Casey Feldman Foundation scholarship recipient.
