Clean Water Action

Waste Prevention Program Assistant

September 2017 • Oakland, CA

What I liked

The ability to create relationships with other entities, helping create a strong network in the field. You have to wear a lot of different hats which can help further develop many different skills.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Grassroots Canvasser

May - August 2018 • Nanuet, NY

What I liked

I liked my supervisors and my coworkers. Grassroots organizing allows for employees to form strong bonds and lasting friendships.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Community Organizer

June - August 2019 • Providence, RI

What I liked

I liked advocating to protect the environment and working with a passionate team.

What I wish was different

I wish I had known at the beginning how independent we would have to be.

Advice

Do not do this job if you are not okay with being outside in any weather, including extreme weather like thunderstorms.

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Field Canvasser

May - August 2021 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

I loved the individuality this job allowed. While everyone is technically doing the same thing, there is tons of room for creativity and for finding out what system works best for you to be an effective canvasser. Most of the time you are outside either by yourself or with one other person, and this allows for a certain flexibility that most other jobs cannot offer. Additionally, my experiences with my fellow coworkers and employers were all outstanding, and I truly feel like I made lasting, lifelong friends at this job. I also really enjoyed seeing direct impact from my work - leaving at the end of the summer and seeing how many letters to representatives, members, and dollars I had raised made me feel like I had made a difference and helped me acknowledge the importance of the work I had been doing.

What I wish was different

Communication and interactions between Canvas Director, Field Managers, and Field Canvassers are often a bit truncated. As a field canvasser, I felt that I struggled to understand several of the decisions made by higher ups, and I actively disagreed with some of the company policies. The communication was always well executed, but I felt that both Canvas Director and Field Managers sometimes failed to listen and engage in what Field Canvassers responses were to these policies, especially considering that the policies affected canvassers the most.

Advice

This job is not for everyone. If you struggle with public speaking, or with interacting with strangers in general, this job might be tough for you. Know your strengths! If you aren't sure about it, the Observation day / Trainee period is really helpful for figuring out if this job is right for you. Even if you don't feel comfortable right away, the leadership staff and your fellow field canvassers are always looking to support you, and it's absolutely worth trying it out to see if you think you can do it.

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Canvasser

May - August 2023 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

Clean Water Action offers a strong, supportive community in which young people can get involved in making a change. I loved the atmosphere of the workplace, especially my co-workers. I also loved being able to work outside, interacting with dozens of people every day. When you talk to someone at the door who is as passionate as you are, it's like magic.

What I wish was different

Advice

There are real skills to being a persuasive speaker, and you can practice and perfect these skills.

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Grassroots Canvasser

May - August 2021 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

Work that really makes a difference!

What I wish was different

Advice

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Sustainability Advocate

June - August 2022 • Minneapolis, MN

What I liked

I liked the people I worked with. Everyone was very progressive and fun to be around.

What I wish was different

The job just wasn't for me, everything was great though, as long as you can handle the work of a canvasser.

Advice

Talk to people and make friends! I'm an introvert and the experience became a lot better when I got out of my shell and chatted with my coworkers.

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Canvasser

July - August 2022 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

I loved working for Clean Water Action. They spend a lot of time working on your personal growth as a canvasser, as well as focusing on the team as a whole. There is a lot of individuality that comes with the job, which I appreciated, and the canvas director and field managers keep you updated on the work that is being done at the higher levels of the company. I felt very respected working here, and the staff was incredibly kind.

What I wish was different

Advice

The canvassing element of the job takes some getting used to, but it will come with time so be patient!

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Environmental Advocate

May - August 2021 • Minneapolis, MN

What I liked

I got to meet a lot of super cool people! I was pretty close with most of my team.

What I wish was different

I personally just don’t love canvassing.

Advice

It’s a difficult job at first, but it’s super easy once you get the hang of talking to people about environmental issues and what activates people to take action.

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Sustainability Advocate

May - August 2023 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

This job is great for outgoing, motivated, and goal oriented people. For 3-4.5 hours a night you spend knocking on doors asking for donations, petitions and letters. You have a quota to meet, but the trainers and crew prepare you very well, and most nights its easy to make the standards. The crew is very supportive and Clean Water Action provides an amazing environment.