CCD: Tell us about your experience. What were your responsibilities?
LP: Over the course of this semester, I had the opportunity to intern with Asian American Resource Workshop as their organizing and research intern. Asian American Resource Workshop is a nonprofit and member-led organization striving to aid Asian Americans through political, educational, and economical issues. I was able to complete various tasks such as creating social media posts on topics ranging from political elections to government housing aid. I was also able to help with gathering information for scholarships and programs for immigrant students.
CCD: What inspired you to get this internship?
LP: I initially chose this internship because I have volunteered here over the summer and I loved that experience. Being Asian American myself, I wanted to extend a helping hand to others like me.
CCD: What was the most memorable part of your experience?
LP: The most memorable part of the internship for me was finding out how my work has impacted others. AARW is a non-profit geared towards helping those who are underrepresented in the government and we strive to find better opportunities for them. My organization was based in Dorchester which was where I grew up so being able to help those in the same neighborhood was definitely something very worthwhile.
CCD: What was the best thing about the experience? What was the most challenging?
LP: One of my favorite parts of the internship was making different social media flyers. I like graphic design and therefore this task was perfect for me. I was able to channel my creativity and also learned about government issues and policies at the same time. One of the struggles I had throughout the semester was balancing my school work with my internship. Besides schoolwork and my internship, I also had other programs and work on the side that I had to take care of. I was also a part of many clubs and on the executive board as well. Therefore, it was difficult for me to manage all of these tasks with the time provided. At the beginning of my internship, I was worried that I would not have enough time to finish everything. However, after I stepped up on my organization, I was able to finish each task and assignment smoothly.
CCD: What is the biggest takeaway from your internship position?
LP: Overall, I enjoyed being able to intern at Asian American Resource Workshop over the fall semester. I was able to strengthen my skills and knowledge on matters that I would not have known otherwise. I was also able to set and successfully complete the goals that I have set up for myself. Looking back at it, I would have done a few things differently. I should have been much more prepared and organized at the beginning of the internship. I would have made a separate schedule for my internship ahead of time so that I can prioritize certain tasks and finish them as quickly as possible. All in all, I was proud of myself for the work I have done throughout this semester. I was able to learn so much and work alongside amazing people who have enlightened me in so many ways. If I have more time during the summer, I would definitely come back and volunteer.
BU + Beyond 