Naomi Alexander (CAS ’25) participated in their internship during the summer and fall of 2023 at the The Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights in Boston, Massachusetts.
How did you learn about this internship opportunity? What career resources from BU or elsewhere did you use during the application and interview process?
I learned about the Consortium from BU’s Career Center. I used VMock through BU to help me write a compelling resume.
Why did you choose to apply for this particular internship?
I chose to apply for this internship because the organization’s values align with my own. The Consortium is dedicated to fostering gender-just international peace and sustainable economic practices, which are both important to me.
What were your job responsibilities as an intern?*
As an intern, I had a variety of responsibilities. The Consortium is a small organization, so all the interns contributed at least a little to the ongoing projects. I headed the social media team while also working as a member of the website testing team. In addition to these, I worked on multiple research projects on topics such as care economies and the 2016 Colombian peace agreement.
What was the most rewarding part of your internship?
The most rewarding part of my internship was working on The Consortium’s Feminist Roadmap for Sustainable Peace and Planet (FRSPP) because I truly believe that the knowledge produced by The Consortium’s Director, Carol Cohn, and co-writer, Claire Duncanson, is extremely important when addressing how to create lasting peace and the climate crisis.
What skills, technical or soft, did you develop during your internship?
I learned how to write a Plan of Action (POA), which are very common across different fields. I also learned how to effectively manage team members and run team meetings.
What was the most memorable moment of your experience?
The most memorable moment of my experience was when The Consortium attended a lunch-and-learn hosted by the MIT Data + Feminism Lab with a special guest speaker from the organization Red Feminista Antimilitarista. It was amazing to hear from someone who does hands-on field work as well as see how the resources provided by The Consortium and the Data + Feminism Lab help people around the world.
What advice would you give to another student about making the most of an internship, job, or other career-related experience?
I would recommend that you take advantage of your superior’s knowledge. Ask them questions about the field you’re working in and how they got started.
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