Name: Clio Morbello
Class Year: 2026
Major: Political Science
 
Internship Organization: The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
Internship Title:  Legal Services Intern

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit based out of Portland, OR. IRCO provides culturally specific services to immigrants, refugees, and families across Oregon and Washington. The legal services team, where I worked, provides low-cost legal education and assistance, including application aid and representation, for a diverse group of community members.  

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I’m originally from the Pacific Northwest and wanted to be close to home, so I sought out opportunities in the area. I also knew that I wanted my work to have a direct impact on the lives of my community members, and I am passionate about civic rights and supporting the immigrant community. 

Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you? 

Working in an office has been a new experience for me, as was the entire field of legal services outside of my undergraduate coursework in Political Science. The most valuable skill I’ve practiced this summer has been asking questions, both for practical purposes and to further my learning in nonprofit administration and law. I’ve always had a difficult time asking others for help, but it has been essential in this internship. I’ve also become much more detail-oriented, and I’ve learned that it’s worth it to take extra time before submitting work to my supervisor for review. The stakes of making a mistake at the expense of a client or the ILS office are much higher than the stakes of my potential embarrassment. I’m happy to report that, in fact, nobody has ever been disappointed in me for asking too many questions.  

At the start of this internship, I was also very nervous about making direct phone calls to potential clients, namely because I worried that I would not have the answers or good news to offer. More often than not this was true, given my own lack of experience with the complexities of immigration law, our lack of capacity, and the general insanity of immigration policy in the U.S. However, I overcame my own anxieties and was able to begin the intake process for close to fifteen families, all the while becoming more confident in my own ability to communicate effectively and politely with community members, remain professional at all times, and answer questions.  

Although I’ve only scratched the service, my experience with immigration law has given me knowledge and practical skills that I intend to build upon and utilize in the future. I am currently looking for other avenues for involvement in legal services and direct support for the immigrant community, so that I can continue to advocate for and support my neighbors. 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

It has been rewarding to know that my efforts to help streamline the client intake process and the provision of services to clients has directly allowed ILS to assist more people. This is an incredibly scary time to navigate the U.S. immigration system, and I’m grateful that my contributions have helped connect community members with legal aid and support, and offer some security.  

On the personal side, engaging firsthand with legal writing, operations, and professionals has increased my interest in law school and a career in legal aid. I’m grateful that I still have a year left at Bryn Mawr to take full advantage of the academic and career advisors that can help me plan my next steps.