Name: Dalia Ibrahim
Class Year: 2027
Major: Growth and Structure of Cities
Minor: Data Science
Internship Organization:
Internship Title: Mayor’s Office Intern – Office of Civic Engagement and Youth Participation
Location: Jacksonville, FL
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
Civil Rights Trail Photoshoot
During my internship, I’ve been involved in several impactful projects. One of those projects has been applying for Jacksonville to become designated as a Civil Rights Trail City and completing the formal application process, cold-calling for endorsements and letters of support, and ensuring the application is up to the requirements and standards. Given Jacksonville’s history, I was surprised to find it hadn’t already received this designation. I’ve also undertaken research on redlining in Jacksonville and conducted interviews with a diverse group of individuals who are advocating for justice. These interviews included voices from various backgrounds, including pastors, activists, and community planners. I have also been involved in collaborating with departments and organizations like the Neighborhoods Department, and the Jacksonville Run Club. I’ve also represented our branch at workshops and youth career fairs. Our main focus is on engaging youth aged 16-23, ensuring their voices are amplified and that they feel included in our initiatives. A few other projects I’m currently working on include What Young People Want, State of the Union, Debates, the YES Summit, our Volunteer Program, research for the Mayor’s Town Hall, and the Legacy Project
Why did you apply for this internship?
At Youth Career Fair
Last summer, I was a Historic Preservation Intern at Riverside Avondale Preservation, which sparked my desire to explore new opportunities so I was avidly willing to branch out to work at a different level. I applied for this internship because I wanted to obtain a first-hand experience in a government-entry level job within a major city. I was excited for a unique opportunity to gain a solid grasp of the inner workings of the Mayor’s Office and its approach to community matters. Jacksonville is unique in that it is the largest city in the United States by landmass and has a total population of 1 million; Jacksonville is a hub to a plethora of communities that I was eager to represent and work with, and have been proud to be a part of.
Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?
Transformative, Dynamic, Eye-opening Innovation, Outreach, Advocacy
What is most rewarding about your internship?
One of the most rewarding aspects about my internship was being able to engage with diverse clients and organizations while being a part of a very close-knit team affiliated with the Mayor’s Office. The specific branch I worked for emphasized hands-on community engagement rather than executive meetings, allowing me to make meaningful connections with Jacksonville residents, particularly youth in the community. I learned a lot about out-reach and the logistics it takes to start initiatives from the government side, and understanding the process and the reasoning on how some initiatives need time and others can be dealt with immediately. I appreciated the flexible hours and healthy work environment, especially collaborating with fellow interns in my age group. The professional relationships and connections I’ve built during this experience are ones I will value long after my internship concludes.