Meet Our Summer Intern
A conversation between Chelsea Gaesser and Fielding Williams, Membership & Operations Manager
Join us in welcoming Chelsea Gaesser, our 2024 Davidson College Nonprofit Leadership Fellow summer intern. Her work will support the development of a data system cataloging member skills and interests, so that Women’s Impact Fund can better connect members to nonprofits with various needs, thus building social capital. We are delighted to have her cheerful face and hardworking presence in the office until the end of July. Send her a warm welcome here.
Where are you from and how did it influence your college direction?
I was born and raised in Louisville, KY, pronounced “loo-a-vul.” Although Louisville itself is a big city in Kentucky, I grew up on the outskirts in a place called “J-Town.” Louisville is a wonderful place, but I had yearned to travel. I wanted to explore and leave my hometown. I originally applied to 20 colleges to find the right college for me. One of those colleges was Davidson, located 20 minutes north of Charlotte. A high school counselor thought it would be a great fit and right he was. I moved to Davidson, sight unseen, fully trusting my decision. Three years later, I know I made the right choice because I have never felt more at home. I love North Carolina and I plan to move to Charlotte after graduation from Davidson.
Who has influenced you to become the person you are today?
My parents are my best friends, I know it can be seen as a cliche, but I call them with every little detail about my life. My parents did not have much money while raising us, but they filled our house with love and laughter. They are the greatest parents, and I may be biased when I say that I feel truly blessed to be their daughter. They sacrificed a lot to raise me, and my brothers and I dedicate a lot of my success to their parenting style. They are my biggest supporters and the best cheerleaders I could ask for. Whenever I am struggling or afraid of not reaching success, I remind myself of my parents and it motivates me to continue reaching for the stars.
What are you happiest doing when you are not working, or studying?
I am a huge nature enthusiast. I recently traveled to New Zealand for an unforgettable study abroad experience and my love for nature has exploded. Whether that means a 4-hour solo hike in the mountains or a walk through a local park, I feel my absolute best after getting fresh air. Additionally, I love to run. Anything that gets me outside makes me happy and I am currently training for a marathon in November.
How would others describe you?
Definitely an extrovert. I love talking to new people and listening to their stories. I believe everyone has a story to tell and that is what I look forward to the most with this job. I also aspire to be kind. My favorite quote I like to live by is, “You can’t throw stones while washing feet.” This relates to a story in the Bible in which Jesus washed his disciples’ feet to demonstrate how to humbly, lovingly, and sacrificially serve other people. Jesus says in John 8:7, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.” I try to live by this quote because it is important not to judge others when we are all imperfect. Instead, it is better to serve others and show kindness.
What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?
I have one more year until I graduate college and join the real world. I would say I have a lot of career goals coming up, but my biggest goal is to remember to enjoy the current moment. The past three years have really gone by quickly and with such a major transition coming up, I want to focus on enjoying this last year of college while also preparing for life after.
Name a few of your daily habits.
As mentioned previously, I am a big runner, so I enjoy going for a run in the morning to start off my morning. Then I take a second for meditating in the morning sun to get some Vitamin D. I like to look at my schedule and write down big things I want to accomplish for the day and set little goals. I usually call my parents, typically at the end of my day. The last thing I do, a couple hours before bed, is call my fiancé who is currently finishing up his last year at the University of Kentucky.
What do you wish your younger self knew about your current path or stage in life?
The younger me was obsessed with the idea of perfection. The best advice I discovered in New Zealand is that the idea of perfection is subjective. Life is messy and definitely has its twists and turns. The best thing we can do is adapt. Daoism explains seeing life as if we are all floating in a stream. There will be rapids and calm parts as well as splits in our paths. No matter where the stream takes us, there is no point in fighting against the current as it will just leave us exhausted. Instead, I choose to keep floating and adapt to wherever my path takes me.
