Kaori’s campus employment internship at the University Network for Human Rights (UNHR) has helped her find a second campus home away from home, and learn invaluable insights about the nonprofit and NGO sector.
Working as an intern at UNHR over the past few years has given me a peek behind the curtain at what it actually takes to run an NGO, which has provided valuable insights as someone potentially interested in entering the non-profit/NGO sector after graduation. Since we are a small organization, I’ve had the opportunity to develop my skills across a wide range of areas, including communications, logistics, research, and fundraising. The mentorship I have received from my employers has also been invaluable to me in my professional and personal development.
Every year we run a massive simulation of a human rights fact-finding scenario, complete with actors and environmental set dressing. It was one of my favorite parts of participating in the {Human Rights Advocacy} minor program as a student, and it’s been really fun to experience the simulation from the other side. Setting up the simulation is a masterclass in logistical management, but also entails lots of fun wacky tasks like painting nerf guns and writing character backgrounds!
At the beginning of each semester I work with my supervisor to mark out my working hours for each week. I keep my work contained to those hours, which helps me keep my work from spilling into time I need for other commitments, academic or otherwise.
As mentioned above, the mentorship I have received from my employers/supervisors has been invaluable to me in my professional and personal development! I’ve gotten career advice and recommendations for several positions, in addition to connections to outside resources through my employers’ networks. My job also puts me in contact with lots of other organizations both inside and outside of Wesleyan, which helps me form connections I can use in my future career.
Kenny, Jim, and Tamar! Best office ever – UNHR is both a place where I have grown so much as a student and professional, and a place that feels like a second campus home.
The University Network for Human Rights (UNHR) is an off-campus organization that partners with Wesleyan University Campus Employment through the federal work-study program.
Updated October 30, 2024
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