Name: Yeri Lee
Class Year: 2023
Major: Philosophy
Hometown: Busan, South Korea
Internship Organization: PhillyGoes2College
Job Title: Digital Navigator
Location: Philadelphia, PA
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
I am helping the organization with developing its college prep directory on the website as well as analyzing the survey results to discuss how the organization can successfully provide resources that are in demand. I also create and publish different forms of media posts on social media platforms to attract more audiences so more people will be able to have access to the organization.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I wanted to take a role at an organization that offers me an active role in engagement so I can gain the most experience. I also wanted to work with data research and analysis since I have a background in quantitative data research and analysis with sociological data. Most importantly, PhillyGoes2College has an amazing mission that promotes higher education to those who may not even think about attending universities and provides resources every step of the way.
Was there anything special about how you found this internship?
Even though there was no internship opening at the time, I felt passionate about the organization and their work, so I reached out to one of the members directly. I luckily was able to set up a meeting and an interview, so the process was different than usual.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
I love working with the data on what demographic is visiting which article or resource on the website. The analysis is not only helpful for directing the organization's missions and goals, but it's also helpful for marketing purposes that I am invested in. I have been able to attract more students to PhillyGoes2College because of the analysis we have been doing, so I love it!
What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn't expect?
I didn't anticipate the diverse range of responsibilities and the need to wear multiple hats to ensure the smooth functioning of various projects. It has been a positive experience to witness firsthand how different teams collaborate and contribute their unique skills and expertise toward the organization's mission. The dynamic nature of a non-profit has taught me to be adaptable and flexible, as priorities may shift and new challenges may arise. Overall, this exposure to the ins and outs of a non-profit has broadened my perspective and instilled in me a deeper appreciation for the collective effort required to make a positive impact in the community.
Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?
During my internship, I am acquiring valuable skills in research analysis, data entry, and working with website backends. These technical skills are important to me because they provide me with the tools to effectively analyze and interpret data, ensuring accuracy and reliability in my work. The ability to navigate and work with website backends enables me to contribute to the organization's online presence.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at your internship?
The biggest challenge I have faced at my internship is contemplating deeply how to tie marketing and engaging posts that attract a wider audience to the mission and resources of PhillyGoes2College. I strive to create content that not only captures attention but also generates genuine interest in the organization's offerings. The creative thinking process of finding long-term strategies and goals can be quite difficult. However, I embrace this challenge as an opportunity for growth and continually seek innovative approaches to effectively engage with the target audience and inspire them to tune in to all the valuable resources and support that PhillyGoes2College provides.
What is most rewarding about your internship?
Working with the data and actually seeing that we are helping more students and families and seeing their engagement pushes me to do more for the organization. Also, I am excited to be engaging in bigger projects with more responsibilities and be able to present to all staff meetings the projects and accomplishments our team has made.
Was this internship what you expected it to be?
This internship has exceeded my expectations in several ways. Not only have I gained valuable technical skills, but I have also developed a range of soft skills that have been instrumental in my growth. Moreover, the level of duties and responsibilities I have been entrusted with has surpassed what I initially anticipated. This has allowed me to learn and contribute significantly to the organization, making me feel valued and needed.
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.