Current Tufts student Jaidyn Appel shared the following about being a Summer Intern with Coalition for Social Justice …
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
I was the lead intern on the Get Out the Vote campaign, which was centered this year around the redistricting process that happens every 10 years. I redrew new district lines given population and demographic changes in Massachusetts, and got input from staff and community members on how to draw these lines in a way that provided everyone with legal and desired representation.
How did you find this internship?
Handshake
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
I enjoyed how much responsibility I was given. I was not just doing busywork or administrative tasks, but was actually entrusted with one of the organization’s most important projects of the summer, which was a big honor.
What did you find challenging?
communication about scheduled meetings was sometimes a challenge.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
Even if you don’t love it, find something you like about it. I was not always highly interested in the topics I was researching, but I really liked the part of my job where I would interact with people, coordinate schedules, and ensure smooth communication. Now I can use the knowledge of what I do and don’t like to find jobs I am better suited to going forward.
About the Organization
The Coalition for Social Justice (CSJ) is a grassroots organization founded in 1994 to bring together people affected by and concerned about poverty to advocate for economic opportunity. Their organizing staff have played leading roles in campaigns on a wide variety of issues affecting struggling families. CSJ is a founding member and co-chair of Raise Up Massachusetts.
