Archer Fellows Program- Washington, DC
Last spring, I was accepted into the Archer Fellows Program through The University of Texas at Austin. As part of Archer Fellows (http://www.archercenter.org/programs/archer_fellow.html), I will live and work in DC with about twenty other UT students from various schools in the UT system. We will all have full time internships at an organization of our choosing, and then be enrolled as full time students at UT while we live there. The Archer Program is an incredible opportunity to live and work in the nation's capital. I will work full-time in an internship (more info on that below), and then have classes on Monday and Wednesday nights with the other Fellows. Additionally, the program provides various opportunities for us to explore the city, democracy, and all that DC has to offer. Although I will only be in DC from January 5th-April 23rd, I consider it my version of moving to "the big city." Having never been drawn to the bright lights of LA or NYC, DC is the equivalent of those "bright lights" for nerds like me.
International Justice Mission - Government Relations Intern
I applied to a couple places that focused on international development issues, but when the offer came up to work as the Government Relations Intern with International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org), I couldn't pass it up. I consider this position with IJM to be my dream job, seriously, and I am completely humbled and excited by the opportunity. IJM is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems. I will serve as the Government Relations Intern, where my main responsibilities will include: insisting in the planning and implementation of the Justice Advocacy Campaigns; researching current and past legislation related to IJM's casework; researching substantive issues in the areas of US trade relations, foreign aid, HIV/AIDS, women's rights, slavery and trafficking; and more. I truly feel that the experience at IJM will be an invaluable asset to my career, and I am honored to work for such an outstanding organization that fights for justice on a daily basis.
Teach For America - Mississippi Delta
After the Archer Program is over, I will have about 7 weeks before I start the next chapter of my life- teaching in the Mississippi Delta as part of Teach For America. I will graduate on May 22nd, and then head off to Institute training for TFA on June 13th. TFA is like the Peace Corps for domestic education. Here's a small description of their mission:
"Our mission is to build the movement to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting our nation's most promising future leaders in the effort. We recruit outstanding recent college graduates from all backgrounds and career interests to commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools. We provide the training and ongoing support necessary to ensure their success as teachers in low-income communities." www.teachforamerica.org
The issue of education inequity is one that has become near and dear to my heart the last three years. I am excited to take on the challenge (and it will be a BIG challenge) of teaching in the Mississippi Delta, and even more thrilled to join the movement of young leader's that TFA is building to give all of our nation's children an equal education.
Bittersweet
That is the best word to describe how I'm feeling about all that God has placed in front of me for the next three years. Austin has become my home, more than any other place I've lived, and I will look back in the rear view mirror with tears of joy in my eyes as I drive up I-35 in two weeks. More on this "bittersweet" journey to come soon...
