Ayuda 

Operation Intern

Ayuda is a non-profit organization that provides legal, social and language services to immigrants and those victim of human trafficking and sexual violence. When I join the Washington Center program, I wanted to intern at a law firm because I want to become a lawyer. I soon realized that being a lawyer was not the only way I could give back to those that have suffered.

An operation intern is more on the HR side and I knew that I wanted to better understand how to run a non-profit that focus on what I wanted to pursue. I wanted to be more globally aware of what it took to help immigrants. My first week as an operation intern, I started doing phone screenings for the new Social Service Director. I was task with sending out emails to candidates and writing notes during the phone screening. I am happy to say that the candidate I thought was the strongest made it all the way to the end and accepted the position. During the phone screening I learned that in a non-profit your passion for your work matters. I was able to screen individuals who were not aware of Ayuda's mission. I have learned to appreciate being prepared and applying for a job that I want to make a difference in.

There are things that I cannot talk about as they are confidential, but I am currently learning how to transition from one job application site to another. I now understand the small steps in between such as finding a new site and constant meetings to see what you like. Being an Operation Intern has opened my eyes to what it takes to be an immigration lawyer, family lawyer, social worker and language specialist. Every Friday, Ayuda has virtual lunches where interns can talk to individuals from different fields. Ayuda's mission to help those in need is also seen in the way they care for each other, being a remote intern means that I do not personally meet these individuals, but they are willing to speak with us every Friday. They also love showing appreciation, I am also task with helping create a collage of videos for an employee’s ten-year anniversary with Ayuda. Ayuda stands by its name and it really does help people and as an Operation intern I am able to help continue that.