International Studies Major Preserving Legal Rights through NGO Internship
Sophie Haas-Goldberg '19, International Bridges to Justice
Major:
Internship title:
Communications and development intern.
What I do, day to day:
International Bridges to Justice's (IBJ) headquarters in Geneva is relatively small; therefore, I get to do a wide-range of activities such as researching, marketing, administrative tasks, etc. I work on a combination of short- and long-term projects. My short-term projects change day to day, depending on the need from IBJ. Some past projects I worked on include researching the relationship between pretrial detention and poverty, helping register IBJ as a NGO in Myanmar, and writing grant proposals. One of my long-term projects includes doing legal research about the Albania criminal justice system and their criminal procedure code for IBJ’s Criminal Defense wiki page. The Defense wiki is a website that brings codes, treaties and case law to lawyers around the world who may not otherwise have access to these materials and information.
Other internships:
My first internship was at a NGO in Los Angeles that helps provide access to clean drinking water to people in Kenya. Sophomore year, I was a research intern with the Army War College Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute. Junior year, I worked with the YMCA’s after school program through Montgomery Service Leaders as a grant-writing intern. In the future, I hope to have a paid internship, a fellowship, or a job.
Most valuable part of this experience:
I value the relationships I developed with my colleagues this summer. International Bridges to Justice employs diverse interns from a multitude of different backgrounds. I enjoyed getting to know and work closely with interns who live all over the world from China to Lebanon to Albania. This experience reinforced the notion that working in a culturally and racially diverse work environment is not only important but crucial to the success of IBJ. I enjoyed working on a project and getting a wide range of unique perspectives and insights from my colleagues.
Advice for students considering internships:
Every internship opportunity I accepted was offered through connections and/or networking. I think it is worth it get in touch with Dickinson alumni, staff, faculty or personal connections. Regardless if you have a solid GPA and CV, what makes you an even more competitive applicant is having connections with the organization or the people working there.
How this internship has helped me:
This internship helped me get one step closer to what I want to do after I graduate Dickinson. The work I am doing this summer closely aligns with my coursework for senior year. I also have a better appreciation of what it means to work a 9-to-5 job and all of the responsibilities that come with it.
Post-Dickinson plans:
I hope to work abroad for a few years in a French speaking country. In a couple years I want to get a master's in international studies or pursue a dual degree program and get a MA and JD. As of now, I see myself working at a multilateral organization, a think tank, or the public sector in the future.
Haas-Goldberg's internship experience is supported by a Dickinson internship grant. Learn more about internships at Dickinson.
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Published August 23, 2018