Clean Water Action

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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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.

What I wish was different

Advice

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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

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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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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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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Field Canvasser

May - August 2018 • Long Branch, NJ

What I liked

I liked getting experience in the realm of activism and non-profit work, as well as the opportunity to build physical exercise and time outside into my work time. I enjoyed interacting with my coworkers and felt listened to and respected by my boss.

What I wish was different

Advice

I would suggest doing the job part-time if possible to avoid burning yourself out, but if money is the priority, working full-time and sticking around long enough to get promoted to field manager is definitely worth it.

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Sustainability Advocate

May - August 2019 • Montclair, NJ

What I liked

I loved the environment of the work office. I learned so much at my time here and am very happy this was my first experience in this field.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Grassroots Canvasser

May - August 2018 • Nanuet, NY

What I liked

The relationship between the supervisor and all of the staff. Everyone was very friendly and professional.

What I wish was different

The hours, which are 2pm-10pm

Advice

Invest in a comfortable pair of shoes since there is a lot of walking, and make sure you are passionate about the environment because it shows through in your work.

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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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Sustainability Advocate

September 2019 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

I love the work atmosphere at Clean Water Action. Everyone feels welcomed and no one is singled out of the group.

What I wish was different

Advice

The more effort you put into becoming a good canvasser, the easier and more enjoyable this becomes, it just takes the effort to get there.

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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 Organizing Intern

May - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I liked working with members of the community.

What I wish was different

I wish there was compensation for doing extra work such as driving to the canvassing sites.

Advice

Definitely take this opportunity if you’re passionate about the environment and love canvassing and talking to community members.

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Community Organizer

June - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Everything about this job was incredible. The office was so open-hearted and made everyone feel like a part of the team. Traveling to different communities and talk about Michigan's water issues was inspiring. The opportunities that I had to learn in-depth about water struggles and the democratic processes involved in protecting our water are lessons that I will take with me on my career journey.

What I wish was different

The only thing I wish could be different about this job are the hours. Because it is a canvassing job, the 2-10 time frame is really key in order to be in the community at the best times.

Advice

Be patient with this job. Canvassing can be draining but focusing on the people who you meet out in the community that support the work leave you with incredible experiences that get you through the day.

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Community Organizer

June - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

The people who worked there

What I wish was different

More flexibility

Advice

It is a great way to learn about organizing

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Community Organizer

May - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

Flexibility in scheduling, good compensation for hard work, lots of training, casual and fun work environment, great coworkers and managers

What I wish was different

Some employees were more responsible for driving everyone than others

Advice

This job requires a positive attitude, a passion for grassroots advocacy, and a high tolerance for rejection at the doors. However, it is extremely rewarding and the organization is excellent.

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Community organizer

May - August 2019 • Baltimore, MD

What I liked

I like the environment and the handle and experiences. It was a great opportunity to talk with people in the city and state to inform them on environmental issues.

What I wish was different

Advice

It’s a hard-working environment but it’s also very fun. Take pride in caring what you do.

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Public Relations Intern

January - June 2019 • Austin, TX

What I liked

Everyone there was so friednly and really was excited to have me join the team. They really wanted me to learn through hands-on experience and that really made my time there all the better.

What I wish was different

Advice

Go into it with an open mind and don't be afraid to ask questions!

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Community organizer

May - July 2019 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

My employers and fellow employees were incredible to work with, in both initiative and ability to relay information. The opportunity to actively impact a community for the better is one that has impacted me similarly.