Educational Studies Major Interns With the Children's Defense Fund
Aisha Johnson '20.
Aisha Johnson '20, Children's Defense Fund
Majors:
Internship title:
Education programs and policy intern.
How I got this internship:
I got this internship by networking with Dickinson alumni, faculty, staff and parents.
What I do, day to day:
I worked with the Beat the Odds Scholarship Program and Freedom School Education Program. Every day, I was assigned a different project. I composed a financial literacy workshop for college students as well as research programs to help build diversity in CDF's staff and internship program. I also attended weekly policy meetings. Lastly, I connected and visited a lot of Freedom School sites.
Most valuable part of this experience:
The most valuable part of this internship experience for me was being exposed to different parts of child advocacy. I finally see the child as one persona and have learned that I cannot look at educational policy as one issue alone, but as a part of the problem in America.
Advice for students considering internships:
Keep an open mind and be honest about what skills and goals you hope to accomplish while being there. Also, have informational interviews with different professionals.
How this internship has helped me:
This internship refocused my future plans. I learned that I want to work in educational leadership while also practicing educational policy. However, I must work with children all the time. My passion in life is to provide opportunities for scholars.
Post-Dickinson plans:
I hope to either teach in China or join the college advising corps. My dream is to be a principal and incorporate the social reconstruction ideology in my curriculum.
Johnson's internship experience is supported by a Dickinson internship grant. Learn more about internships at Dickinson.
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Published August 9, 2018