Current student, Wendy Lam, shared the following about being a Summer Intern at the Asian University for Women (AUW) Support Foundation …
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
This summer, I interned with the Asian University for Women Support Foundation (AUWSF), a nonprofit that mobilizes resources and communications for the Asian University for Women. My work included assisting with the drafting of grant proposals and donor correspondence, conducting prospect research on potential supporters, and analyzing data on AUW students and alumnae for impact evaluation projects. I also contributed to external communications by preparing materials such as media releases and donor updates .
How did you find this internship?
I found this internship through my involvement with Women’s Higher Education Now (WHEN), a Tufts student organization affiliated with AUW. As one of WHEN’s directors, I had the chance to collaborate with AUW staff during our outreach initiatives, and through that partnership I learned that AUWSF was seeking an intern. This connection made the internship a natural fit with my ongoing commitment to supporting women’s higher education.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
What I enjoyed most was the chance to directly support AUW’s mission of empowering women from underserved communities through higher education. I especially valued learning how development and fundraising work behind the scenes in nonprofit organizations, and seeing how donor relationships translate into tangible opportunities for students. The work felt both meaningful and connected to my academic interests.
What did you find challenging?
One of the most challenging aspects of my internship was working with a large volume of student profiles, particularly those of Afghan and Rohingya students. I was tasked with writing around 100 profiles for potential donors in a short period of time, which required both accuracy and sensitivity to each student’s story. The workload was intense and sometimes stressful, but it pushed me to sharpen my writing efficiency and taught me how to balance speed with compassion and attention to detail.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
My advice would be to talk to your managers, coworkers, and colleagues as much as possible. They are your best teachers. Taking the time to ask questions and learn from their experience not only helps you understand the work better, but also gives you insight into the broader mission of the organization. Building these relationships makes the internship much more rewarding and meaningful.
