Lyric Fields, Senior Director, CCS Fundraising, started her fundraising journey through CASE’s Advancement Internship program as a student at the University of Dayton. At the Ohio, U.S., institution, she helped rebuild its student philanthropy program. Here, she shares what the experience taught her and advice for new interns to make the most of their experience.

Why did you decide to become an intern through the CASE Advancement Internship Program, and what was the experience like?

Honestly, I decided to become an intern because I was being a little nosy. I was in a marketing class the summer before my senior year and noticed a friend applying for an internship. I asked her what it was about, and she explained that the University of Dayton was participating in the CASE Advancement Internship Program. They were looking for a student to spend the summer working in the advancement office, learning the ins and outs of fundraising, and taking on a hands-on project.

I grew up in a fundraising household, so the concept wasn’t foreign to me, but I’d never seen how it worked within higher education. I applied and got the internship, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I made in college. My main project was to build out a strategic plan to reintroduce student philanthropy on campus, which was something the university hadn’t had in over 20 years. It was a huge learning curve, but I loved every minute of it. I ended up being hired to stay on after the summer to implement the plan, hosting focus groups, building student committees, and helping create the first dedicated role for student giving at the university. It gave me my first real taste of strategy, leadership, and the impact philanthropy can have on a community.

How have you been able to use the skills you gained through your internship in your positions since?

The short answer is every single day. Right after graduation, I started a frontline fundraising role at The Ohio State University, where I was meeting with donors, alumni, and university leaders right out the gate. That internship taught me how to think strategically, communicate effectively, and show up confidently in rooms with people who had far more experience and resources than I did.

I learned how to read the room, navigate complex dynamics, and build relationships rooted in authenticity and trust, which are all skills that are core to being an effective fundraiser. Today, in my role as a fundraising consultant, I use those same muscles but on a larger scale. I help organizations craft strategic plans, design and implement fundraising campaigns, and manage donor relationships at every level. It’s funny—I started as an intern developing a strategic plan for student philanthropy and now I’m guiding institutions through nine-figure campaigns. The scale has changed, but the mindset and skills are the same. It's been a wild, but fun, ride so far.

What tips or advice would you give to advancement interns or newcomers? 

Be curious. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to go off-script or try something new. Some of the best moments in my internship came from coloring outside the lines a bit and trusting my gut. If you’re lucky enough to have a manager who encourages creativity, lean into that. If you don’t, still find ways to bring your authentic self to the work. Fundraising is all about relationships, and people can sense inauthenticity a mile away, so be you. 

And most importantly, have fun! The work can be challenging, but joy keeps you grounded. Build relationships, connect with your cohort, and stay curious even when things get hard. Some of the people I met during that internship are still part of my professional network years later. That experience helped shape how I lead, collaborate, and show up in every space I’m in and I am forever grateful for that.