Tag Archives: Sociology

Felicia Famularo ’27: Behind the Literature Review: A Summer Studying Intimate Partner Homicide

Posted on by

Name: Felicia Famularo
Class Year: 2027
Major: Sociology, Italian

Internship Organization:  Bryn Mawr College
Internship Title: Social Sciences/Humanities Summer Program | Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research w/ Professor Lee
Location: Remote

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

This summer I’m working as an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Lee in the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, helping conduct a systematic literature review on intimate partner homicide, with a particular focus on the Jamaican and Caribbean context. My day-to-day work involves reading and summarizing academic articles, organizing sources in Zotero, and drafting sections of what will eventually become a paper intended for publication. So far, I’ve written the Introduction, Epidemiology, Characteristics, Risk Factors, Sex and Gender Differences, and Race and Ethnicity sections, and I meet weekly with Dr. Lee to review drafts and get feedback.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I applied because I wanted hands-on experience with the kind of research process that leads to real, publishable scholarship, not just a classroom simulation of it. I was especially drawn to this project because it combines rigorous literature review methodology with a subject area, gender-based violence and public health, that I already cared about going in. Last semester I took a class on femicide in the Italian department, which gave me a strong foundation in the topic and made me want to keep engaging with it in a research setting. I’m also interested in pursuing a future career in sexual and reproductive health, and this internship feels very much in that vein, since intimate partner violence and homicide are deeply connected to those issues. I also wanted to strengthen my critical reading and academic writing skills in a setting where I would get consistent, substantive feedback from a faculty mentor.

Was there anything special about how you found this internship?

My path to this internship was not exactly a straight line. Earlier this year I accepted a summer research internship with another organization and secured Bryn Mawr Summer Internship Funding to make it possible. I had actually also interviewed with Dr. Lee for a research position around the same time, but declined it because I had already committed elsewhere and wanted to honor that commitment. Unfortunately, my original internship placement fell through over the following months due to communication issues and a lack of an actual research placement, and after trying to make it work, I ultimately decided it was not the right fit. I reached out to Bryn Mawr’s Career and Civic Engagement Center, and they went above and beyond, reconnecting me with Dr. Lee to see if anything might still be available. She generously offered me a position on her research team. It was a bit of a winding road to get here, but I feel very lucky it worked out this way. I am genuinely excited to be working with Dr. Lee on this project, and I believe that the subject matter, as well as the larger goal of contributing to research that will help us understand and prevent intimate partner homicide, is deeply important.

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect?

I didn’t expect to learn as much about myself as I did about the subject matter. During the school year, I tend to collect sources as I write. I was surprised by how naturally I settled into a system of tagging and coding sources by subsection before I started writing. It made drafting so much smoother and more efficient. I also didn’t anticipate how much this work would sharpen my relationship to the sources themselves. Verifying an original text against how it had been cited by another author became a regular part of my process, and it changed how I read secondary literature more broadly. I’m now far more attentive to the gap that can exist between what a source actually argues and how it gets represented downstream.

Photos – no captions

Esther Rosi-Kessel ’27: Digital Accessibility Internship

Posted on by


Name: Esther Rosi-Kessel
Class Year: 2027
Majors: Sociology, German

Internship Organization: Bryn Mawr Library & Information Technology Services (LITS)
Internship Title: Digital Accessibility Internship
Location: Bryn Mawr, PA

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

This summer, I learned about accessibility for digital materials- this means making sure that online materials, like documents, are accessible to people with disabilities and people who use assistive technology, such screen readers. I then trained Bryn Mawr faculty and staff on the best practices for creating digital materials, and taught them how to make their readings accessible, and helped them remediate their courses. Over the course of the summer, I helped remediate ten courses!

Why did you apply for this internship?

I have low vision, and I occasionally use text to speech to read my course materials, but I wanted to learn how to help other people who use technology in different ways, and to understand the best ways to make things accessible to as many people as possible. I’m also potentially interested in going into a field relating to accessibility or disability, so I wanted to know more about the options available to me.

Was there anything special about how you found this internship?

I saw a poster in Campus Center! I had no idea this was an option, and this was an extended application deadline, so I got lucky!

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

Getting to know the professors I’m working with and finding ways to help them.

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect?

So many websites and documents that claim to be accessible still have lots of issues.

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

I’ve gained a lot of problem-solving skills around technology, which I think will be super helpful for learning any kind of new technology. I’ve also learned how to teach technological skills to people with a really broad range of comfort levels using tech, and being able to work through things in a way that everyone can understand is a really important skill. I have to be very clear, patient, and always remember to check in, so that everyone can feel confident in what they’re learning. I’ve also built up perseverance for working through difficult or time-consuming documents.

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?

Adjectives: detail oriented, technological, rewarding

Nouns: PDFs, computers, trainings

What is most rewarding about your internship?

Seeing accessibility scores going up, and positive feedback from professors!

Planning Cities for Community by Anna O’Connor ’28

Posted on by


Name: Anna O’Connor
Class Year: 2028
Major: Growth and Structure of Cities
Minors: Sociology, Music

Internship Organization: Street Lab
Internship Title: Urban Planning and Research Intern
Location: New York, NY

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

Street Lab’s sites of 2026 so far!

I am interning with Street Lab, an organization focused on public space activation across all boroughs of New York City, bringing New Yorkers together in pre-existing public spaces within the urban fabric. This summer has been especially exciting at Street Lab as the organization has partnered with Mayor Mamdani’s office to bring the excitement of the World Cup to the streets of New York! I specifically have been working with lots of maps, mapping the activations across the city and various data points, along with coordinating with and researching community stakeholders to make these activities possible.

Why did you apply for this internship?

As a Growth and Structure of Cities major I applied for this internship because I am fascinated by the intersection of public space activation, urban planning, and the built environment. From an urban planning perspective, I am interested in place-making and how public space can increase city residents’ quality of life along with how these spaces can strengthen commercial corridors and transform neighborhoods and communities. Street Lab has been a wonderful experience in exploring the intersection of my interests within the field!

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

One of Street Lab’s pop-up place-making streets

I am learning so much about the processes behind planning initiatives and public space activation and particularly how ideas are transformed into physical implementations in a complex city system. I’ve been developing skills in mapping and spatial analysis along with communication and coordination skills with community stakeholders that allow for ideas to be implemented. These skills are important as they are useful and necessary for all urban planning and development efforts!

What is most rewarding about your internship?

Some of the data point maps I made throughout the summer

It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the direct impact of New Yorkers utilizing Street Lab’s public space activations. Oftentimes planning and development initiatives take years to take form and directly benefit residents but Street Lab’s activations are implemented quickly making the benefits much more immediate. It has also been rewarding working with and learning from community organizations such as The NYC Department of Transportation, New York City Public Schools, Business Improvement Districts, and more all of which have provided me insight into the complex systems, organization, and partnerships that allow cities to thrive and evolve.

Mei de Laperouse’27 Interns with the Hon. Natalie S. Watson

Posted on by


Name: Mei de Laperouse
Class Year: 2027
Major: Political Science
Minor: Sociology

Internship Organization: New Jersey Courts
Internship Title: Legal Research and Learning Undergraduate Fellow
Location: Superior Court of Monmouth County, NJ

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

This summer, I have had the privilege of interning for the Honorable Natalie S. Watson in the Criminal Division of the Monmouth County Superior Court. Every day has provided a unique opportunity to observe the judicial process from the inside and gain a deeper understanding of how the courts function.

Photo of Judge Watson and me

Throughout the internship, I have attended a wide range of criminal proceedings, including sentencing hearings, conferences, and Megan’s Law tier classification hearings. Observing these proceedings has allowed me to see firsthand how judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and court staff work together to ensure that each case is considered carefully and fairly. It has also given me a greater appreciation for the preparation, professionalism, and collaboration required behind every courtroom decision.

Beyond observing proceedings, I have also assisted with legal research and writing. I have researched issues involving evidentiary standards and drafted Statements of Facts for judicial opinions, experiences that have strengthened my legal writing, analytical reasoning, and attention to detail. Combining courtroom observation with substantive legal research has allowed me to better understand not only how legal principles are applied, but also how judicial decisions are developed through careful analysis of the law and the facts.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I applied for the Legal Clerkship Internship because it combined my academic interests with my commitment to public service. Throughout college, I have become increasingly interested in government, the judiciary, and the role courts play in resolving complex legal and social issues. At the same time, my experiences outside the classroom have shown me how deeply the legal system affects people’s lives.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part of this internship has been observing Judge Watson preside over hearings and conferences. Before this experience, my understanding of the law came primarily from textbooks and judicial opinions. Watching legal arguments unfold in real time has shown me the complexity of trial court decision-making and the careful judgment required to resolve each case.

One experience that particularly stood out was a sentencing hearing in which Judge Watson carefully considered not only the seriousness of the offense but also whether incarceration alone would best serve the defendant or whether additional resources could better promote rehabilitation. What struck me most was that this thoughtful approach was not unique to one case; it reflected the care, preparation, and empathy she brings to every matter before the court.

That same philosophy is evident in the way Judge Watson interacts with everyone who enters her courtroom. She speaks directly to defendants with honesty and respect, holding them accountable while reminding them that one mistake does not define their future. She also recognizes individuals who have made meaningful progress toward rebuilding their lives. At the same time, she demonstrates genuine compassion toward victims and their families, ensuring they feel heard while acknowledging the lasting impact that crimes have had on their lives.

Outside the courtroom, Judge Watson has been an exceptional mentor. She has encouraged me to seek opportunities that challenge me, shared her experiences navigating the legal profession as a woman, and emphasized the importance of supporting future generations of women entering the field.

Watching Judge Watson lead her courtroom with integrity, empathy, and professionalism has been the most rewarding part of this internship. Her example has reinforced my desire to pursue a career in law and has shown me that effective advocacy and leadership require not only legal knowledge, but also compassion, humility, and respect for every person who comes before the court.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at your internship?

The biggest challenge I have faced during this internship has been learning how to approach emotionally difficult cases with the objectivity required of legal research and judicial decision-making. Working in the Criminal Division has exposed me to serious offenses, and balancing empathy with professional responsibility has been an important skill to develop.

One experience that has stayed with me was the first sentencing hearing I observed. The defendant was the same age as I am, which prompted me to reflect on how two people can arrive at such different circumstances despite being at similar stages of life. Listening to the discussion of the defendant’s background highlighted how factors such as opportunity, family support, and life experiences can shape an individual’s path long before they enter a courtroom.

Conducting research on Megan’s Law matters has presented a similar challenge. Many of the cases involve disturbing subject matter, requiring me to separate my emotional reactions from the legal analysis needed to evaluate statutes, precedent, and the factual record. Over time, I have learned that remaining objective does not mean becoming indifferent but rather it means carefully applying the law while recognizing the real people whose lives are affected by every decision.

Perhaps the most important lesson I have taken away is a greater appreciation for the responsibility judges carry each day. Observing Judge Watson has shown me that every decision requires not only careful legal analysis but also sound judgment, patience, and an awareness of how a ruling can affect victims, defendants, their families, and the broader community. This experience has deepened my respect for the judiciary and given me a far more nuanced understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that come with administering justice.

Jai Abbott ’27 Interns with Mentor A Promise

Posted on by


Name: Jai Abbott
Class Year: 2027
Major: Sociology
Minor: Psychology

Internship Organization:  Mentor A Promise
Internship Title:   Disability Justice Educational Intern
Location: New York, NY

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

Universal Design Workshop 2 Title Slide

Mentor A Promise is a nonprofit created to provide physical resources and academic mentorship to housing insecure youth in New York City. I had the pleasure to work with both the Disability Justice Team, and the Blog Team in order to provide information that makes the mentorship process stronger and more accessible. Over the course of this internship, I created two different trainings and worked on a guidebook regarding Universal Design for Learning, contributed to a physical accessibility checklist for all Mentor A Promise in-person events, created a disability terminology guide, collaborated on a disability organizational guide for parents and children, and published two blog posts on harm reduction and disability accommodations in education. I also had the pleasure to complete a course in Web Accessibility, so all future digital projects I am involved with following this internship will be screenreader friendly, captioned, and have plain language available.

Why did you apply for this internship?

I have been involved in disability work prior to this internship in the Bi-Co. My freshman year, I took Disability and Literature with professor Danielle Allor, which provided historical foundations to my understanding of disability. I have also attended Enable meetings, and worked with our amazing Assistive Technology Specialist Grace Cipressi on the design of the Disability, Unity, and Innovation Center. Cipressi provided invaluable information about accessible design, and helped me to host the Disability and Neurodivergence Meet Up last spring. I have worked with nonprofits before in previous summers, and was interested in combining my passion for disability advocacy with more complex professional experience. Mentor A Promise had an established Disability Justice team, but it was also clear that they had space for new ideas and my perspective could be put to use.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

As a self proclaimed Canva Warrior, I loved putting together my workshops on Universal Design for Learning. Not only did I get to spend time considering accessible graphic design, but I was able to connect directly with many of the mentors and other interns at Mentor A Promise, and share what I find to be valuable information about working with disabled youth. This project challenged me, particularly when I was trying to create a plan that worked for both experienced teachers and new hires. In the end, these workshops occurred over 4 sessions and two weeks, with participants sharing their own experiences with accommodations, lesson planning, and trying to learn in a world that wasn’t built for you. I also recorded a version of these workshops without participants, so it can be viewed by new volunteers after this summer ends and I leave the organization.

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?

Adjectives: Challenging, Educational, Immersive
Nouns: Growth, Collaboration, Courage   

Kasey Quiche ’27

Posted on by


Name: Kasey Quiche
Class Year: 2027
Majors: Political Science, Sociology

Internship Organization: Safe Passage Project
Internship Title: Legal Intern
Location: New York, NY

Hall of Judges in building C of New York Law School

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

Located in Manhattan and housed within the New York Law School building, the Safe Passage Project started as pro bono law school project in 2006 to place children’s cases with pro bono attorneys. It established itself as a formal nonprofit corporation in 2012 and has a staff of attorneys and paralegals who take on cases of unaccompanied immigrant young people who have suffered violence, abuse, or neglect. My work has largely centered around signing up young people on the waitlist, serving as a Spanish interpreter for legal screenings, and completing legal document applications like the I-765, I-360, and G-28. I have also translated important documents like birth certificates.

The Ernst Stiefel Reading Room in building E

Why did you apply for this internship?

I have always been really passionate about providing legal support to the immigrant community, especially because I’ve seen firsthand how the current administration has made it increasingly more difficult for immigrants to navigate the system. Last summer, I worked at a separate non-profit organization that focused more on asylum cases. The clientele was mainly adults, but there were a couple of young people (e.x., 17 years old) who were interested in applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) that we couldn’t help. Working at the SPP was the perfect opportunity to gain direct, hands-on experience working with children on the SIJS process. Working alongside attorneys and paralegals has also given me a much clearer sense of what legal work entails on a day-to-day basis.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part has been interacting with other interns. There are around 20 interns, and the weekly “Brown Bag Lunches” allow us to be informed on changes made by the immigration court while also getting to know one another.

The Great Big Game show team bonding event with all the interns. Interns and SPP staff were split into four groups and made to compete against each other and work together in a series of word puzzles, trivia, and memory challenges!

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect?

Something that I have learned about this internship that I didn’t expect is to be comfortable with silence! Oftentimes, while serving as a Spanish interpreter, some of the intake form questions can make the young person feel uncomfortable and vulnerable. Trying to dig up potential history of violence, abuse, and/or neglect has made me more conscious of how I react and respond.

Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you?

I work remotely on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It has been an interesting experience answering phone calls and signing up young people to the waitlist. It has also provided me with the opportunity to complete other tasks assigned by attorneys and paralegals that I wouldn’t have completed otherwise in the office.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

Getting to interact with clients 🙂

Chloe Buka ’28 Works with the Petey Greene Program to Help Educate Justice-Impacted Individuals 

Posted on by


Name: Chloe Buka
Class Year: 2028
Major: Sociology, Minor: Psychology
 
Internship Organization: The Petey Greene Program
Internship Title: Summer Intern
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

The main part of my internship is going in person to a local correctional institute twice a week to provide individualized tutoring to men currently located there who are studying for their GED. In addition, I help to virtually coordinate a series of STEM demonstrations in youth facilities in DC, as well as help to provide backup for Eastern University’s higher education program, also located in the aforementioned local institution.

Why did you apply for this internship?

As a sociology major who recently took Punishment and Social Order, a course focusing on the United States’ carceral system, I have had the chance to learn all about the flaws of our current “justice” system, and I realize that this is an area that I want to focus on. The PGP came up in one of my discussions with my mentor after I had mentioned this interest, and I was instantly drawn to the hands-on aspect, specifically that I would be able to go in person and have face-to-face interactions with the people I am trying to help.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?

My favorite part of this internship has definitely been the amazing people that I’ve had the chance to meet, not just my coworkers, but also the incarcerated individuals that I have had the opportunity to work with so far. It’s amazing being around people who so genuinely want to learn and put such an effort in, and also to just experience people that I would have never had the chance to interact with if not for PGP.

What is most rewarding about your internship?

The most rewarding part has definitely been connecting with the students. As important as education is, the times when I have been able to sit down with someone and just learn their favorite music, the books that they like, their motivations to study, etc., have been the best moments for sure. Seeing how hard people have worked to be where they are has encouraged me to look further at my own motivations and push myself to do better. 

Researching to Prevent Gentrification in South Everett by Margeaux Thompson ‘28 

Posted on by

Name: Margeaux Thompson
Class Year: 2028
Major: Sociology, Minor: Growth and Structure of Cities
 
Internship Organization: Housing Consortium of Everett and Snohomish County
Internship Title: Casino Road Anti-Displacement Housing Research
Location: Everett, WA
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

The conference we hosted and two images from property walks our board members conducted after I found the properties and set up the tours!

This summer, I am utilizing research tools and conducting community engagement to identify potential affordable housing development opportunities around the Casino Road neighborhood of Everett, Washington. This neighborhood has around 13,000 residents, about ¼ of who are immigrants, mostly from Mexico. This area has a strong community, thriving small businesses, and a unique cultural heritage. It is at high risk for gentrification and displacement, as our regional transit system, Link light rail, is set to expand to Casino Road in the next 10-15 years.

Residents here are particularly vulnerable, as it’s largely low-income, with many families living doubled up or couch surfing, over half of all households are families with (often young) children, and right now, there are no Section 8 rental subsidies, lowered rent, or affordable homeownership loans serving this area. As more people want to move here to access the train, rents will go up, and people may be forced out of their incredible community.

I am using tools like title insurance searches, assessor’s maps, interviews with residents and service providers, and more to identify potential properties that members of the Housing Consortium could acquire and secure as affordable housing options, both rentals and home ownership opportunities. I meet with real estate agents, make offers to property owners, and more, all helping me to build a GIS map that can advise affordable housers on which properties they may want to pursue, even after I leave!

The interior image is from a property that will be purchased this month and stabilized for families making 50% of the area’s median income (AMI).

Why did you apply for this internship?

I am extremely passionate about affordable housing. I see it as an intersection of my majors and minors (Sociology, Growth and Structure of Cities, and Africana Studies). Understanding the history of housing helps explain many of the racialized gaps in privilege in this country, and addressing housing inequity is a crucial step in remedying racial marginalization. I also think of how class and racial oppression culminate in worse economic opportunities and outcomes for many Americans, and the ultimate fear of those under financial stress is losing their housing and food stability.

By helping to alleviate that pressure and actually build wealth through homeownership, that stress, and thus the impact of systemic racial oppression, is lessened. Everyone deserves to feel stable, safe, and happy in a home with adequate space, amenities, and green communal areas, within a safe, walkable neighborhood that provides community support, access to jobs, healthy food, and public services like transit.

I want the residents of Casino Road to actually benefit from the improvements and expanded services coming to their neighborhood. Gentrification is such a widespread issue that I see happening constantly around me, especially in Philadelphia, that having the chance to proactively fight to prevent it is rare, valuable, and felt important to me to pursue!

Was there anything special about how you found this internship?

This opportunity has been a true tri-co connection for me! Two of my friends are siblings, also from Northwestern Washington. One is a fellow Mawrter, and the other attends Swarthmore. They kindly connected me to this opportunity after hearing about my interest in affordable housing!

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

I have learned how to use ArcGIS to build an interactive map for housers to reference when trying to discover opportunities. This has been a difficult but rewarding skill to build! I have not taken a class in GIS yet, so I have been flying a bit blind. However, I am very passionate about data science and mapping, so I have always wanted to have the confidence with ArcGIS I am currently building. I am grateful that this opportunity has pushed me to learn, and for the opportunity to build from the back end the kind of tool I would want to use.  

Photos – Captions (did not indicate which one with which photo, will need to manually add!)

 The conference we hosted and two images from property walks our board members conducted after I found the properties and set up the tours!  

The interior image is from a property that will be purchased this month and stabilized for families making 50% of the area’s median income (AMI). 

Kaili Martinez-Beasley ’27 Interns in Austria with Impact Hub Vienna

Posted on by


Name:  Kaili Martinez-Beasley
Class Year:  2027
Majors: Sociology, Mathematics
Minor: Africana Studies
 
Internship Organization:  Impact Hub Vienna
Internship Title:   Experience Team Intern
Location:  Vienna, Austria
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

 Impact Hub Vienna is an organization that provides programming and workspace to NGOs, start-ups, business owners, etc. who focus on creating a positive social, environmental, and/or economic impact. As an experience intern for Impact Hub Vienna, I work to optimize the member experience and promoting membership for the organization. The optimization includes creating promotional material, including fliers and videos, finding ways to gain member feedback, setting up for and planning events, enhancing the workplace environment, and organizational reach out.

Why did you apply for this internship? 

I applied to the IES Program internship cause I wanted an opportunity to go abroad and transfer my academic skills to a work setting. Due to my study load, I was not able to study abroad during my junior year at Bryn Mawr. By taking part in the IES program and interning in Vienna, I had the ability to go to another country and commute to other countries as well.
 
What has been your favorite part of this internship? 

I found my internship through the Career and Civic Engagement Center in partnership with the IES Abroad program. I had originally applied during my Sophomore year, knowing I would not have the chance to study abroad over the school year, but I ended up joining in REU program instead. However, I knew that I still wanted to gain direct work experience, and thankfully I was accepted into the program my junior year. The application process, and the process afterwards, was very easy due to the support of Jennifer Prudencio. She always put in incredible effort to making herself available and accessible whenever I needed support with the application and post-application logistics. Because I took part in the IES program, the internship was selected for me.

Was this internship what you expected it to be? 

What I did in the internship was somewhat unexpected as it actually related more to what I do extracurricularly, more specifically my role as a social-cultural head for Sisterhood*, then what I do academically. However, it proved to me the value of school activities outside of academics. Taking part in clubs, while extremely value for social health as a student and improving the resume, can actually lead to gaining skills transferrable to the workspace. Therefore, my position in Sisterhood* gave me skills for my internship and my internship helped me strengthen my skills for my role in Sisterhood*. 

Everyone is a Learner: Char Gillman-Boggs ’27 at DYS Collaborative for Educational Services 

Posted on by


Name: Char Gillman-Boggs
Class Year:  2027
Major:  Sociology
Minor:  English
 
Internship Organization:  Collaborative for Educational Services
Internship Title:   CES Summer Intern/Petey Greene Tutor
Location:  Northampton, MA
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

The Seed-to-plate horticulture training participants learn how to build and use plant towers

My internship at Collaborative for Educational Services has been split into two components: for the first half of the summer, I have been working in the CES Northampton office primarily with administrators helping to prepare for the upcoming school year. I am undertaking multiple projects that seek to improve CES’s Family Engagement and methods of Student Recognition, which also serves to acclimate me to the organization and to the Juvenile Justice system more broadly. I have also been attending a variety of significant events for the organization, ranging from introductions of new teaching frameworks to students’ high school graduations. For the second half of the summer, I will be working as a teaching assistant/Petey Greene tutor in multiple JJ facilities across Central/Western Massachusetts. Two days a week I will be working under the tutelage of a horticulture teacher and helping students learn about outdoor opportunities and larger connections to their daily lives. For an additional day or two from July-August I will be a Petey Greene volunteer tutor. The Petey Greene Program (PGP) is the largest educational/career readiness program for formerly and currently incarcerated people, with bases across the Eastern Seaboard. After my experience this summer, I hope to continue work with PGP during the school year at their Philadelphia location

Why did you apply for this internship?  

CES staff and DYS regional faculty pose at a graduation ceremony

I applied to this internship because I wanted to explore more teaching opportunities and justice-related work. Last summer I worked as a summer camp counselor and found working with youth rewarding and inspiring, and this summer I sought to build on that experience with more explicit ties to system impacted youth. The criminal justice connection is prudent to me as a sociology major, but far more owing to my personal convictions toward the prison industrial complex, the criminal justice system, and importance of rehabilitation as an ethical practice. I am also interested in the possibility of working at a social justice oriented non-profit organization in the future, and I hoped this summer experience would further inform my understanding and enjoyment of that future career option. 
 
What has been your favorite part of this internship? 
My favorite part of this internship thus far has been building relationships with my coworkers. From my first couple days here, I noticed some common denominators between all the adults who work in DYS/CES. They all contain a certain grit, a determination and a passion to do work that is often very difficult. They work here not for exceptional pay, an easy 9-5, or any guaranteed success. Many of the kids who move through the DYS system recidivate after returning home, but many also find that the personalized education and range of opportunities accessible to them through CES change their lives for the better. It has been a delight to work alongside individuals who make this work their lives, and an honor to engage in such meaningful work. I anticipate the challenges and rewards of working with students over the coming month will propel teaching to my list of favorites as well.

Was this internship what you expected it to be?   

This internship wasn’t exactly what I expected it to be because I didn’t have many solid expectations coming in. My supervisor emphasized that he wanted this opportunity to be driven by my specific interests and goals, and so my role this summer strays from the comparative baseline of previous CES interns. However, my experience here is what I hoped to take out of my time at CES, a mix of both policy-driven/administrative and hands-on/teaching work that helps me understand the overall goals and practices of the organization. The experience has demonstrated to me the importance of communicating my objectives and desires in the workplace while also remaining flexible and seeing where the summer takes me!