Current Tufts Student, Baljaa, shared the following about being an Intern at Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC)…
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
This summer, I served as a Project Management Intern for ACDC’s 16th annual Films at the Gate Festival. Also known as FATG, this film festival is one of ACDC’s efforts to make and keep community space in Boston’s Chinatown for existing residents. Featuring live performances and classic Chinese films, the 3-day festival revives the tradition of old Chinatown movie theaters and promotes intergenerational bonding. FATG reinforces that Chinatown public spaces are safe, clean, and enjoyable for all.
Something that many people don’t know about FATG is that it is almost entirely youth-led. As a Project Management Intern, I oversaw a team of high school aged youth who are invested in ACDC’s mission and committed to putting together the best event possible. They did everything from create marketing materials, coordinate and schedule local performers, and even gathered sponsors for the event. My role was to supervise and support these youth leaders, while taking care of more logistical tasks such as recruitment, permitting, and equipment rental. But because the youth I worked with were so qualified and driven, my job was made a lot easier.
How did you find this internship?
I have found this internship through the Tisch College of Civic Life. I found my skills and interests aligned with the position and organization, so I decided to apply for the role.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
I most enjoyed getting to work with high-school youth and being inspired by their drive and excitement to be a part of the event. Each week, I was impressed by their capacity and commitment to the program. They each had creative ideas to overcome budget constraints and ultimately found many ways to cut costs and budget. However, I most enjoyed getting to know the youth I worked with, even though they would continuously poke fun of me. I really enjoyed making these connections and serving as a mentor beyond ACDC.
What did you find challenging?
I found stress and time management the most challenging part of my internship. When you’re organizing an event with a bunch of high schoolers, it’s really easy to feel the pressure of the timeline weighing down on your shoulders. This would make me work extra hours to make sure everything was coming together in time for the event. Although I’m still working on it, I started to learn that I can’t control everything and some things were not meant to come out completely perfect. Instead, I started to make compromises with things that didn’t work out, and feel proud of the work I put in.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
The advice I would offer is to really take the time to check-in and take care of your youth/volunteers/those you oversee. Although some days it was really easy to feel the pressure of the approaching event date, it was in the moments where I interacted with my coworkers or got to hear from my youth, that I felt that it was all worth it and ultimately just wanted the best for them.
About the Organization
The Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) works in underserved and immigrant Asian American communities in the Greater Boston region to create and preserve affordable, sustainable, and healthy neighborhoods.
