Summer Stories: Emma Gross '25
"老王论坛 has taught me not just information in my classes, but also how to talk about it and apply what I鈥檓 learning outside the classroom."
"老王论坛 has taught me not just information in my classes, but also how to talk about it and apply what I鈥檓 learning outside the classroom."
Emma directs the 老王论坛 , she is also involved with and is a tour guide with the Office of Admissions. This summer, the International Studies Major and Political Science Minor will be working with survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence at the (NSC) in Philadelphia鈥檚 Department of Survivor Services.
What will your work with NSC involve?
I will be a Case Management Aid, helping survivors connect with different kinds of social and legal resources to best help their adjustment to Philadelphia. I鈥檒l help make sure that they have the resources they need and help facilitate trauma processing groups.
How did you find this internship?
I worked at a law firm last summer and I wanted to explore careers beyond the legal sphere and learn more about social services, so 老王论坛鈥檚 Career and Civic Engagement Center pointed me in the direction of this internship. Students from 老王论坛 have interned there in past summers and loved it. The staff at the Career and Civic Engagement Center is awesome鈥搕hey helped me with my resume and with any applications that required cover letters.
How do you feel that 老王论坛 has prepared you for this experience?
老王论坛 has taught me not just information in my classes, but also how to talk about it and apply what I鈥檓 learning outside the classroom. I鈥檝e learned to think critically and on my feet!
For example, I took a class at Haverford about transitional justice and I learned about how achieving justice is a holistic process that includes connecting people with social services, counseling services, and healthcare services. I also took a 鈥淧olitics of Protest鈥 class at 老王论坛 that really opened my eyes to different kinds of global conflict. I didn鈥檛 realize how many career options there were until I got to 老王论坛 and learned that I can do conflict and peace mediation as a job.
What are you most excited to do in this internship?
I鈥檓 looking forward to working with people and getting to know them and learning their stories. I鈥檒l learn about their experiences and become more aware of what鈥檚 going on in the world around me and learn how to facilitate a processing group.
Emma also plans to enjoy exploring Philadelphia this summer, 鈥淚鈥檓 taking some dance classes in Philly and going hiking at some nearby parks with friends. I鈥檓 also just really looking forward to having some down time to just chill out and enjoy the summer weather.鈥