What organization or agency are you working with this summer, and what are your primary responsibilities day‑to‑day?Â
This summer I’m working with Young People to the Front (YP2F), a research and policy lab focused on amplifying youth voices and strengthening systems to make youth homelessness as rare and brief as possible. This internship sits perfectly at the intersection of my career interests, combining policy research with the ways we disseminate and consume information as humans, all centered around a social issue I’m passionate about.
My day-to-day responsibilities span several areas. I primarily work on research and policy reports. This includes writing, creating data visualizations, and implementing creative design that help tell compelling stories with the findings. I also contributed to YP2F’s annual impact report and have taken the lead on creating a zine about the inaugural YP2F Youth Homelessness Research Conference. On the communications side, I support media strategy development that makes YP2F’s work accessible to broader audiences.
What’s one insight or perspective you’ve gained that surprised you, shifted your thinking, or changed how you approach public policy?Â
Working at YP2F has fundamentally shifted how I think about research communication and approachability in policy work. I’ve learned that sharing research effectively means making it truly accessible and tailored to the communities it aims to serve, especially young people. Rather than relying solely on traditional policy reports, YP2F combines narrative with data, using creative formats like zines, social media, and podcasts.
In an era where data and scientific evidence face constant challenges, we must adapt our communication strategies to maintain the foundation of evidence-based policy. Narrative is the most powerful tool for persuasion and YP2F’s model of weaving youth voices throughout every aspect of the research process, not just as subjects but as collaborators and storytellers, has shown me how policy work can be both rigorous and deeply human.
How has this experience shaped your career goals or next steps at Luskin? Any advice for peers seeking similar internships or research opportunities?Â
YP2F represents exactly the kind of organization I want to work with long-term because it uniquely combines research, communications, and advocacy. This integrated and community-forward approach to policy work is what I hope to pursue in my career. I first discovered YP2F through their podcast, Young People to the Front (you should check it out). I continued following their work because their approach to policy aligned so well with my goals. When it was time to find an internship, YP2F hadn’t posted any openings, but I reached out directly to their team, secured external funding, and made it work because I knew it would be an ideal fit.
My advice for peers seeking similar opportunities is to be proactive and strategic. Follow organizations in your areas of interest even when they’re not actively recruiting and don’t limit yourself only to posted internship opportunities. If you find an organization with a mission and approach that resonates with you, reach out directly. In my experience, particularly in LA’s homelessness policy space, the community is incredibly connected and collaborative. People genuinely want to help each other, so even if your first contact doesn’t pan out, they might connect you with other opportunities. The key is demonstrating genuine interest in the work and being willing to take initiative to make connections
