Leila Alciere
Graduation Year: 2009
Major(s): Politics, International&Global Studies
Campus activities: STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition, the Student Global AIDS Campaign, Lemberg Children's Center
Where are you interning now (or have interned in the past)? Boston Mobilization has been involved in Boston's peace and justice movement for over 30 years. As a non-profit organization devoted to social justice, Boston Mobilization's mission is to help youth find their voices and pursue constructive social change. This is achieved by organizing a variety of events, workshops, and programs for both students and educators in the Boston area.
How did you find your internship?
I was having a difficult time finding an internship because I was studying abroad in Thailand. My internet connection was slow and sporadic and I had no easy way to call the United States. Finally, I asked my friends and family, via email, to help me with my search. My grandfather began to send me daily emails with links to organizations that might interest me until finally I found a few that excited me and had online applications.
What resources did you utilize to help you prepare for the search?
Primarily, I used my friends and family as resources. However, I clued them in on a few good places to look. I think my grandfather eventually found Boston Mobilization either through a Career Center site like Hiatt or through Idealist.org.
What ways did you explore to fund your internship?
Funding was a big issue for me, as I knew I would have to pay to rent an apartment in Boston, commute to work, and buy groceries. The World of Work fellowship through Hiatt was the only way I could find to fund the summer. Though it was difficult to attain letters of recommendation while abroad, the Hiatt staff were willing to help me get through every step of the application process.
What are the two most important things you learned through your internship?
1. Be organized
2. Be honest with your boss and your co-workers so you can get the most out of your experience
What advice would you give other students looking for internships?
Apply to several places (one or two might never get back to you) and don't worry about whether you'll be paid or not. Once you have a job secured, then worry about funding. If you can't get a fellowship, tell your employer that you need to work fewer hours and take up a second job. They'll understand.
How are you connecting this internship to your academic, personal, and career future?
Academically, I'm learning more about the social justice issues that I hope to work on for the rest of my life. For my career, I'm learning more about general nonprofit management, facilitation, and organization. Personally, I am am working with high-school aged students in the Boston area, serving as a teacher and a mentor as they discover the social justice issues that exist in their own neighborhoods. Though I probably won't have a career doing this, I love it and I'm grateful for the experience.