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Charlotta Chung '08 | Winter 2008
1. When did you complete your internship?
I will complete my internship on January 29th, 2008, and return to SLU on January 31st. I was lucky enough to be granted permission to return so late into the semester!
2. How did you discover the internship opportunity?
I discovered my internship through communicating with a friend. She is the executive director of the organization, Emerge, where I interned this winter. I expressed interest in working with the organization, and she said that a position could be found for me in the winter of 2008,
3. Was your internship alumni-sponsored?
No, it was not, although there are many great ones that I was thinking of applying to!.
4. Where was your internship located and for what company?
My internship was located in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the surrounding areas (namely Moratua). I worked with a non-profit called Emerge, which works with young women, specifically teen mothers, and teaches them to make jewelry which is then sold, with all profits generated going back to the women in Sri Lanka. Please visit the website, http:/www.Emergeglobal.org, for more details!
5. Please describe the daily tasks required of you for the internship.
I worked directly with the girls 2 full days a week, hosting the jewelry workshops and assisting the girls in their production. On the other days I managed some aspects of program management, namely paperwork and resource maintenance. I designed several systems for organization and management of the jewelry program, as well as for participant accountability. I must add, a significant part of my internship was self-directed. I was given a list of tasks to accomplish by the end of the month, and it was up to me to manage my time and get everything done. It was really fun, and a great way to understand the complications and incredible amount of work it takes to manage an organization, even one as arguably small as Emerge currently is.
6. What is one accomplishment from the internship that you are particularly proud of?
I think I am most proud of either the catalogues I designed for ordering supplies, or the goal-setting/accountability system I designed. I think that my work was focused on building infrastructure so that Emerge can run more efficiently and be more easily expanded, and I’m really pleased with the systems I designed that will hopefully help to accomplish that.
7. What was the most challenging part of your experience?
Besides the tuktuk rides where I was sure I was going to die every time we merged into oncoming traffic? I think that it was probably the challenge of doing my internship in a foreign country where English is a second language. Understanding cultural differences and how they may impact the work you are able to do, either positively or negatively, is a challenge, because it requires one to examine situations in an entirely different social context and from a wholly different perspective. I think it’s also been challenging getting emotionally invested in my work and with the girls I see every week, and knowing that I might not see them again.
8. Did this experience help you narrow down or decide upon a future career path? Please elaborate.
9. Would you recommend this internship experience to other St. Lawrence students?
I would recommend internships like this one to St. Lawrence students, but I don’t think this one is open to everyone! It’s definitely not for everyone-it requires a great deal of initiative and the ability to be self-directed and cognizant of cultural differences. It also requires a great deal of flexibility and the willingness to get your hands dirty and give everything you can.
10. What advice would you give to students who are looking to pursue an internship opportunity?
I would tell them to pursue anything they are passionate about, and draw on personal connections to secure positions. Also, take advantage of St. Lawrence’s generosity. I would not be able to do this internship (it was unpaid) without the support of Career Services and various other departments. Also, be willing to be stretched by your experience.
Additional Student Profiles:
Eve Gatawa '08
Charlotta Chung '08
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