This summer, MHO welcomed two talented interns whose work touched everything from real estate development to public-facing communications. In their own words, Serena Chao and Sofia Nilo reflect on what they learned, built, and carried with them from their time at MHO.
From Serena Chao:
Hello, my name is Serena Chao, and I’m a rising junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, double majoring in Mathematics and Business Administration and minoring in Economics. Through the Affordable Housing Development Fellowship at UNC, I had the amazing opportunity to intern at Mountain Housing Opportunities on the Community Rental Investments team.
My interest in affordable housing stemmed from volunteering with Up and Running Again, a nonprofit whose mission is to train residents of homeless shelters to run half marathons. Watching people transition from living in a shelter to renting their first apartment showed me the need for affordable housing. This summer, I had the privilege of learning about the complexities and positive impact of this industry. Through my time with the Community Rental Investments team, I gained insight into the full development lifecycle, from pre-development to stabilization. I also had the chance to shadow individuals throughout the various business lines at MHO to gain a well-rounded understanding of the nonprofit’s operations.
I leave this internship motivated to combine my long-term goal of working in real estate investments with a commitment to supporting affordable housing. Thank you to everyone at MHO who made my first hands-on experience with the sector such a positive one!
From Sofia Nilo:
This summer, I had the opportunity to work with the communications team at Mountain Housing Opportunities as the External Relations Intern. The experience gave me firsthand exposure to Asheville’s housing climate, local politics, and nonprofit policy. Working alongside the team, I learned about grant writing, philanthropic events, and how nonprofits connect to public policy.
My major project involved redesigning the Properties and Developments page on the MHO website, which sharpened my graphic design, photography, and writing skills. I also gained hands-on experience editing website copy with guidance from our partners at Kudzu Brands.
None of this would have been possible without my team, who welcomed me into their work and took the time to teach me along the way. Take a look at my major projects work here!
I will carry this experience with me long after the internship ends. It has inspired me to pursue a minor in Public Administration and has deepened my interest in local and statewide politics.