Umesha’s Final Thoughts: What I Learned During My SEED Co-op
As my co-op at SEED wraps up, I’ve been considering a lot about what this journey has taught me, not just about communications or social media, but about youth, community, growth, and what real impact looks like.
Here are the main lessons I’ll carry forward; My takeaways, hopes, and reflections.
Real Work ≠ Classroom Work, It’s Deeper!
When I began this co-op, I thought my main job would be posting content, scheduling socials, and maybe learning a few design tricks. And that did happen. But I underestimated how much more it would become.
Working at SEED isn’t just about “content.” It’s about purpose.
Beyond social media, my role expanded into website management, job board updates, blog writing, campaign planning, and overall digital presence improvement.
Every caption, every post, every resource highlight, blog, or success story is meant to support real youth and real lives. That responsibility made me approach every task differently.
I learned to ask myself: Does this help someone? Does this reflect respect, dignity, and hope?
That mindset shift from “content as content” to “content as connection and care” is probably the biggest professional lesson I gained.
I worked across SEED’s digital and visual communications, including refreshing the website’s layout and aesthetics, revising content, and ensuring information was accessible, youth-friendly, and visually engaging. In addition to this, I developed and ran engagement campaigns, coordinated giveaways and youth challenges, and created a range of graphic and presentation materials such as pamphlets, certificates, and decks prepared for internal use and Board presentations. Together, these efforts contributed to a more cohesive, engaging, and professional communications presence across the organization.
Reflection pieces on internships often emphasize learning new skills. For me, this co-op helped me learn why skills matter, not just how to use them.
Communication Is More Than Words; It’s Listening, Empathy, and Trust
On paper: communications coordinator = you write, you post, you manage.
But in practice? I found myself listening to youth, to staff, and to partners.
I learned that communication is just as much about presence and understanding as it is about wording.
A major part of my role involved working closely with the Skills to Succeed (S2S) team. Twice a week, I supported workshops where I interacted directly with youth, helped manage breakout rooms, assisted with facilitation, and handled behind-the-scenes administrative tasks to ensure sessions ran smoothly. Being part of these workshops allowed me to engage with youth firsthand, understand their challenges and strengths, and see how programming translates into real growth.
Those experiences deeply shaped how I approached communications. I realized that even a social media post can communicate dignity, reassurance, and belonging, if it’s written with care.
I also learned something crucial about tone: simple, honest, and human wins. Many times, I deleted elaborate phrasing because it felt too distant. I started writing like I was talking to a friend; compassionate, encouraging, and inclusive. That was a big shift from academic essays or polished project reports.
I experienced the gap between classroom communication and real-world communication firsthand and learned to bridge it with empathy and intention.
Flexibility & Adaptability Are Key; Projects Change, Stories Evolve!
In a communications role, plans rarely stay set. A post scheduled for Monday might be moved, an additional project or event might come up, a campaign might need to pivot, or a partnership might not come through in time.
I learned to adapt quickly, reorganizing content calendars, adjusting tone, and reshaping ideas without losing the message.
That taught me something important: flexibility isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.
Teamwork, Community & Human Connection: More Than Buzzwords
Working at SEED isn’t solo. From staff to partners to youth, there’s a web of care, collaboration, and trust.
I saw how ideas turn into action:
Social media posts becoming resources,
Blogs becoming guides,
Workshops becoming confidence-builders,
and Partnerships becoming real opportunities.
Whether it was coordinating with program teams, supporting workshops, or ensuring the job board stayed current and accessible, I learned that community is built through consistency and care. It’s not just who you work with, it’s what you do together.
That’s something I’ll carry well beyond this placement.
Looking Forward: What’s Next?
As I finish this work term with SEED, I’m not stepping away, I’m stepping forward.
I hope to carry forward:
A writing style rooted in inclusion and respect.
A communication approach grounded in listening and responsiveness.
A mindset ready to adapt, learn, and improve.
A belief that youth deserve more than just opportunity, they deserve care, dignity, and consistent support.
Wherever I go next, SEED’s values will stay with me.
Final Thoughts
This co-op was more than a placement; it was an experience.
It taught me that real work is complex.
Real growth is often quiet.
And real impact is about people, not just posts.
Thank you, SEED, for trusting me, for guiding me, and for giving me the space to grow, create, and contribute meaningfully.
Here’s to what’s next!
— Umesha Gunaratne, Co-Op Student
December 2025