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Fiona Lu Reflects on Policy, Tech, and Professional Growth During Her Global Internship in Berlin Fiona Lu shares how her internship gave her hands-on experience, new perspectives, and a clearer vision for her future.

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What inspired you to take part in the Global Internship Program, and how did UCLA Luskin help prepare you for this experience?

Going into my undergrad, studying or working abroad was not initially a part of my plan. However, while I was working in D.C. during the fall quarter of my second year, my internship supervisor on Capitol Hill encouraged me to take advantage of any opportunities to go abroad during my undergrad at UCLA. I quickly started researching, and I eventually decided that working abroad in Berlin over summer would be the perfect experience for me to strengthen my professional portfolio and explore a new living environment. UCLA Luskin has in particular provided me with the opportunity to earn credit for my major through the PUB AFF 195CE class, which allowed me to consistently reflect on my work experience, think about room for growth, and turn my newfound knowledge into academic exploration as well.

Can you tell us about your internship placement in Germany — what kind of work did you do, and how did it align with your academic or career interests?

This summer, I worked at a company that represents a leading online classifieds marketplace, Adevinta. Adevinta represents over 25 digital brands across 10 EU countries, with a total of 120M+ users. In Germany, I worked specifically for the in-house legal team of the German brands mobile.de and Kleinanzeigen, which are second-hand online marketplaces for cars and household items, respectively. In my role, I worked mostly on projects regarding legal compliance and regulatory and public affairs, which was the perfect intersection between the company’s specialty and my background in policy. Although this was one of my first opportunities working in the private sector, it showed me what types of skills are transferable across different industries, and I was able to use my previous public sector experience to succeed.

What were some of the most valuable skills or insights you gained during your internship that you’ll carry into your future studies or career?

As a large online classifieds company, tech has a large presence in Adevinta’s work culture. As a part of my onboarding process for the company, I took multiple courses on AI use and how Adevinta as a company has integrated AI use to create efficiency in its everyday operations. One of my projects even consisted of updating an internal AI chatbot tool to give accurate preliminary legal assessments for company compliance to the EU AI Act, an recently passed AI regulation law. This experience revealed to me how embracing technological advancements can enhance and optimize organizational operations, which is a skill I hope to carry onto future internship opportunities and my career.

Was there a moment or project during your internship that felt especially meaningful or eye-opening to you?

One of my favorite experiences throughout my internship was getting to know my colleagues, who were from all over the world. I got along especially well with my colleague Nicolaus, a legal counsel for the Kleinanzeigen branch of Adevinta. As a Berlin local, he gave me lots of recommendations for my time in Germany and also told me many stories about his time in college when he studied law and his experience when he participated in the rotational clerkship program that is mandatory for all prospective lawyers in Germany. We bonded over our shared interest in politics, where we would exchange about the differences between U.S. and German politics and their positioning in the global landscape. Through an interview I conducted with him for my PUB AFF 195CE class, I also got the opportunity to get to know him, his upbringing, and career history and aspirations better. Despite growing up and living in totally different locations, I found it to be extremely meaningful to connect with my colleague on our shared interests and had a lot of fun exchanging our political observations and opinions.

How has this experience shaped your perspective on public affairs or your role in creating positive change in the world?

This internship showed me how deeply intertwined private and public affairs are, and how both private and public affairs can spearhead innovation for the better. For example, using my knowledge of how AI can make company operations more efficient now, I plan on exploring academically and professionally how AI can be used to elevate public sector operations and services.

How did working in a global context (or with an international organization) broaden your understanding of public affairs and the impact of your work?

As a part of my internship with Adevinta, I learned a lot about the EU AI Act, and how it is the most globally comprehensive AI governance regulatory framework at its large scale. Through reading more about this piece of legislation, although it is EU-based, I learned more about how this act has influenced U.S.-based conversations about AI governance as well. This helped me recognize how understanding global current events and political trends can help me strengthen my knowledge of domestic government affairs.

Can Norway Keep Its Democratic Edge Amid Rising Inequality? As elections loom, the Berggruen Governance Index reveals both the resilience and crack of inequality of Norway’s democracy.

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The latest Berggruen Governance Index (BGI) highlights Norway’s unique success in turning natural resource wealth into democratic strength, economic stability, and broad social welfare. Despite heading into the September 8, 2025 parliamentary elections amid fierce debates over wealth taxation and sovereign fund investments, Norway continues to stand out as an exception to the “resource curse.” The report shows that democratic accountability has remained remarkably high, while state capacity and public goods provision have been sustained at world-leading levels, though fiscal capacity has recently weakened. Rising inequality and declining trust in institutions present emerging risks, reflecting growing social fractures beneath Norway’s otherwise enviable position. As Norwegians head to the polls, the challenge will be balancing prosperity and social solidarity to preserve the country’s hard-won democratic and economic achievements

Designing Patient-Centered Care: Jenny Gao’s Policy Internship with Kaiser Permanente

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From classroom to care strategy: A Luskin Public Policy student’s summer at Kaiser Permanente shaping patient-centered health policy.

Where are you working this summer and what are your primary responsibilities or focus areas day-to-day?

I’m working at Kaiser Permanente this summer as a Care Delivery Strategy Intern on the National Clinical Services team. Our team consists of specialists from multiple disciplines to design care that is more personalized, predictive, and coordinated for patients and members. We focus on creating seamless experiences across settings, from prevention and early intervention to acute care and long-term support. Our work spans a range of areas, from kidney care services to national initiatives like improving end-of-life care through the Dignified Journeys program. In my role, I contribute to multiple projects within these portfolios, supporting strategies that advance our goal of ensuring that patients receive the right care at the right time in the right place.

Have you drawn on any skills, concepts, or lessons from your Luskin coursework in your summer role? If so, how have they come into play?

One of the most valuable skills I’ve been able to apply from my Luskin coursework is stakeholder engagement. At Kaiser, this takes on a unique context because the organization is both the insurance plan and the care provider. My projects have involved collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders that include operations leaders, managerial consultants, project managers, physicians, nurses, and more. Through these projects, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how each stakeholder’s background, training, and responsibilities shape the way they approach challenges. 

Drawing on what I’ve learned at Luskin, I’ve practiced actively listening to their perspectives while identifying common priorities and finding ways to cater towards different viewpoints to move projects forward. I’ve also been able to apply lessons on decision making analysis, particularly around balancing multiple priorities such as efficiency, equity, and cost. Our Luskin coursework has given me the lens to carefully consider how each decision impacts our overall goal of optimizing the quality of care and quality of life for patients and members.

Describe a specific project, interaction, or milestone this summer that made you think, “Yes, this is why I chose this field.” What did you take away from that moment?

One of my goals this summer has been to connect with colleagues across Kaiser and learn from their career journeys. A memorable conversation I had was with a senior operations leader working on a falls prevention initiative. He shared his journey from starting out as a physical therapist to now leading national research and advocacy efforts to reduce falls, while still working directly with complex case management. Hearing the statistics behind this initiative was compelling, for example, in older adults, a serious fall can increase mortality rates by nearly 50%. In more complex cases, families and clinicians face difficult decisions about whether surgery will improve quality of life, given the risks of recovery. What inspired me was how he balances both the individual impact of serving vulnerable patients with the large scale change of shaping policy and strategy within Kaiser. His work showed me that improving care for vulnerable populations requires both empathy and strategy, understanding lived experiences while building solutions that can optimize their quality of life. Witnessing how much meaning he finds in connecting direct patient care with national strategy deeply inspired me and reinforced why I want to dedicate my career to advancing health policy. 

 

UCLA Student Research Drives Water Resilience and Equitable Solutions in Post-Fire Los Angeles

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A team of UCLA master’s students in urban and regional planning (MURP) has produced an extensive report, “Drought and Climate Resiliency Solutions for Small Water Systems in Los Angeles County,” offering real-world strategies to strengthen water security and climate resilience. 

When the January 2025 wildfires swept through Pacific Palisades, a group of MURP students witnessed the devastation unfold in real time on their first day of class. What started as a class project on water system vulnerabilities quickly became a real-world assignment: students, many personally affected by the fires, sprang into action to research and propose solutions that not only addressed the immediate impacts of the wildfires but also offered long-term strategies to strengthen water security and climate resilience. 

Developed in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and guided by faculty at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, the year-long project examines the vulnerabilities of small water systems, many of which were directly impacted by the L.A. wildfires, and proposes solutions to ensure safe and reliable drinking water for fire-impacted communities across Los Angeles County. 

The twelve-student research team included Alex Sun, Allison Samsel, Aydin Pasebani, Catherine Ren, Chloe Curry, Dana Choi, Emily Cadena, Leo Blain, Leila Moinpour, Nasir Sakandar, Veronica De Santos, and Will Callan. They conducted in-depth analyses on drought risk, wildfire impacts, and system preparedness, culminating in a professional presentation of their findings. Their work is already informing county and state-wide efforts to advance the human right to water and shape long-term climate resilience strategies. 

“This work by our student team will serve to directly inform real-time L.A. County and California state agency efforts to ensure a human right to water in the region,” said Greg Pierce, UCLA professor of urban planning, Luskin Center for Innovation senior director, and director of the Human Rights to Water Solutions Lab who co-advised the report. “The methodologies developed on drought water shortage risk and fire vulnerability also have wide applicability well beyond the county.”  

Edith de Guzman, adjunct professor of urban planning and water equity and adaptation policy cooperative extension specialist at Luskin Center for Innovation was another co-advisor on the project and underscored the importance of the students’ work. “This project benefited greatly from the hard work, diligence, and nimbleness of a dozen MURP students,” de Guzman said. “In the end, the result is an impressive suite of actionable assessments, analyses, and findings — all painstakingly documented.”  

A key emphasis of the report is the feasibility of water system consolidation, an approach that can improve technical and financial stability for struggling utilities. Alongside consolidation, the report also considers alternative strategies such as water conservation, new well development, and recycling projects. 

“This suite of outcomes contributes innovative new guidance in understudied and largely unregulated spaces — including community water system fire risk and preparedness,” said de Guzman. 

Pierce praised the students’ work following the capstone presentation: “You did amazing work that culminated in a professional presentation that demonstrates real solutions for climate resiliency in small water systems. But at its core, this report is about water access as a human right. You should all be very proud.” 

The findings are a partial preview of the Southern California Community Water Systems Guide, which will be released by Luskin Center for Innovation in late Summer 2025. This guide will present performance data on all community water systems in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, building on analyses completed in 2015 and 2020, which focused only on Los Angeles County.  

Jennifer Gorman MPP ’26 Drives Hydrogen Innovation at Honda As a summer intern on Honda’s Hydrogen Solutions Team, Gorman conducted market research, regulatory analysis, and workforce planning.

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Jennifer Gorman MPP ’26 reflects on her summer with American Honda Motor Co.’s Hydrogen Solutions Team, where she gained firsthand insight into how corporations, policymakers, and implementers collaborate to advance clean energy solutions.

Where are you working this summer and what are your primary responsibilities or focus areas day-to-day? 

This summer I interned at American Honda Motor Co. on their Hydrogen Solutions Team within the Sustainable Business Development Unit. One of my main projects was a market validation analysis, where I mapped regulatory requirements, reviewed decarbonization plans across California, and interviewed potential public sector offtakers to help Honda assess fuel cell market demand and shape its commercialization strategy. I also created a workforce development strategy for internal use to guide the company’s efforts to build a skilled workforce capable of servicing its fuel cells. Together, these projects helped Honda better understand where demand for fuel cells is strongest and how to support the workforce needed to scale its hydrogen business. 

What’s one insight or perspective you’ve gained that surprised you, shifted your thinking, or changed how you approach public policy? 

Through conversations with transit agencies, cities, and energy service providers, I realized how critical it is to include implementers in policy design. Too often, policies are developed at a high level without fully accounting for the realities faced by those responsible for executing them. For instance, California’s Innovative Clean Transit rule requires transit agencies to purchase 100% zero-emissions buses by 2029, but currently, only one zero-emissions bus model meets the range needed for most routes. Engaging implementers can reveal practical challenges and opportunities that aren’t apparent from a pure policy or analytical perspective. Policymaking must be a collaborative process that integrates the expertise of those who will bring policies to life on the ground.  

As a policy student, what insights have you gained about how large companies like Honda navigate government regulations, environmental standards, or energy policy? 

Working at Honda showed me that corporate sustainability strategy isn’t just about following regulations; it’s also about anticipating policy trends to guide strategic planning and investments. Companies actively advocate for policies and programs that align with their business goals, monitor emerging standards, evaluate potential market opportunities, and plan technology and workforce development accordingly. This experience gave me a new perspective on how policy impacts real-world outcomes: it shapes the pace of innovation, and the practical steps companies take to implement cleaner energy solutions.  

Any advice for peers seeking similar internships or career paths? 

Don’t be afraid to explore careers or internships beyond the traditional government or nonprofit paths. The private sector plays a critical role as both an advocate and implementer in policy processes. Experiencing policy from this perspective can reveal how decisions are put into practice, how incentives shape behavior, and ultimately how change happens. These insights can help you become a more thoughtful and effective policy practitioner in any context. 

Firearm Suicides Are Increasing Among Older Women at an Alarming Rate

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While firearm suicides are higher among older men than older women, a new study found that this method of suicide is rising sharply among women 65 and older, underscoring the need for increased mental health support for older populations.

Older men are 13 times more likely to die by firearm suicide than women, but a new study by UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the Boston University School of Public Health has found that suicides by gun are increasing rapidly among older women.

Firearms were involved in nearly 40 percent of suicides among older women from 2014-2023, up from 34.9 percent in 2014, according to the study in JAMA Network Open. Women represent nearly half of all new gun owners in the United States; as female gun ownership surges across many states, these findings highlight a need to better understand the immediate and long-term consequences of firearm suicides among older women, as well as develop tailored interventions to mitigate firearm suicides among all older adults.

“Based on the most recent decade of federal data on firearm mortality, we found alarmingly high proportions of firearm suicides to all suicides among both older women and older men, and the trend among older women outpaced that of older men,” says study lead and corresponding author Ziming Xuan, professor of community health sciences at BUSPH.

The research team, which included senior author Mark Kaplan, research professor of social welfare at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, and coauthor William Xuan, a student at Brookline High School in Brookline, Mass., analyzed firearm suicide data among older adults from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The team calculated the ratio of firearm suicides to all suicides, by sex and by state, for each year between January 2014 and December 2023.

More than 90 percent of the 63,599 individuals ages 65 and older who died by firearm suicide in the US during this decade were men. For older women, the proportion of firearm suicides to all suicides increased by approximately five percentage points, to 38.5 percent, reversing a steady decline that had begun in 1991. Even though older men had substantially higher firearm suicide rates than older women, the rates among older men remained relatively stable throughout the study period.

This disparity in firearm suicides between men and women was surprising, says Kaplan, and the findings reflect the unique risks that older gun owners face. Firearm suicide is the leading method of suicide for adults 65 and older, and as the population of older Americans continues to increase, firearm suicide rates may remain high without proper interventions to reverse these trends. A combination of physical, mental, and social factors may influence gun ownership and suicidal ideation among this age group, such as chronic illness and pain, depression, stress, loneliness, financial concerns, and greater access to guns, among other reasons.

“Firearms have become a disturbingly common method of suicide for older adults, both men and women,” Kaplan says. “When firearms are involved, older adults are less likely to survive a suicide attempt, as the chances of rescue in these situations are significantly reduced.”

Notably, the researchers found that the proportion of firearm suicides to all suicides varied substantially by state, with southern states generally encompassing the greatest proportion of suicides by gun. Alabama and Mississippi maintained the highest proportions of firearm suicides for both men (92.7 percent and 91.3 percent, respectively) and women (68.1 percent and 68 percent, respectively).

“States with stricter firearm laws, such as New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and California, tended to have fewer firearm-related suicides among older adults,” Kaplan says.

Policies and programs that address the disproportionate rates of depression and other mental health conditions among this population should remain a public health priority, the researchers say. “Healthcare providers should engage older patients experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts by inquiring about their access to firearms,” says Kaplan. “Open discussions regarding firearm safety can be a crucial step in ensuring their well-being.”

The proportion of older adults in the US is expected to grow from 17.3 percent in 2022 to 21.6 percent by 2040, with women accounting for the largest share of this increase. “As older women account for the majority of an aging population in the United States, it is crucial to provide enhanced access to mental health care for older adults, particularly in states with high levels of firearm ownership,” Xuan says.

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About UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs brings together the fields of social welfare, urban planning, and public policy to advance solutions for society’s most pressing problems. With a strong focus on community engagement, equity, and research-informed action, the School plays a central role in shaping public discourse and practice in California and beyond.

About Boston University School of Public Health

Founded in 1976, Boston University School of Public Health is one of the top ten ranked schools of public health in the world. It offers master’s- and doctoral-level education in public health. The faculty in six departments conduct policy-changing public health research around the world, with the mission of improving the health of populations—especially the disadvantaged, underserved, and vulnerable—locally and globally.

 

UCLA MSW Student Francisco Villarruel’s Summer in the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Francisco Villarruel applied his social work training to policy and community engagement at his summer internship.

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by Francisco Villarruel

This summer, I had the privilege of serving as an intern at the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Economic and Opportunity, under the leadership of Deputy Mayor Brenda Shockley. My primary role was to oversee the Early Childhood Education Student Advancement Program (ECE-SAP) for participants aged 50 and older. This work encompassed recruitment, outreach, data tracking, and cross-sector collaboration with both public and private partners. One highlight was coordinating the culmination ceremony for a graduating cohort—a celebration of perseverance and community impact.

The Mayor’s Office provided me with a front-row seat to the intersection of policy, systems thinking, and social work. Much of our work involves analyzing how local, national, and global models—such as theories of change and return on investment (ROI)—can be adapted to Los Angeles. A defining moment this summer was engaging in critical discussions about how to improve employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, including the push to revitalize California’s Clean Slate Act (SB 731). Another milestone was attending an all-staff meeting with Mayor Karen Bass, whose passion for defending democracy and serving Angelenos reaffirmed why I chose this field.

Beyond Los Angeles, I had the honor of representing UCLA Luskin’s MSW program at a global gathering in New York. Meeting delegates from across the world provided fresh perspectives and long-lasting connections. It was striking to hear how leaders from other countries view the challenges facing the United States, and how our own struggles compare with nations still ravaged by war.

I was particularly inspired by conversations about Mexico City’s innovative approach to reducing cartel recruitment. Before becoming President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo served as Mayor of Mexico City, leading policies that offered annual scholarships to students for each grade completed. This strategy dramatically decreased cartel recruitment among youth. As mayor, she also lowered the city’s homeless population to roughly 30,000—remarkable progress for a city of over 20 million residents. In contrast, Los Angeles, with a population of 3 million, faces over 43,000 unhoused individuals in the city and more than 72,000 across the county. These comparisons highlight the potential of evidence-based, people-centered policy to create lasting change.

This summer deepened my belief in being a multi-layered professional—combining policy work, community engagement, and future aspirations in clinical social work, forensic gang expertise, and global consulting. Whether in Los Angeles, New York, or learning from Mexico, the mission remains the same: to foster systems that uplift communities, dismantle barriers, and create sustainable opportunities for all.

Planning for Recovery: Kenyah Kerilus’ Summer with ICF Disaster Management

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This summer, Masters in Urban and Regional Planning student Kenyah Kerilus applied her skills in disaster management as a housing and urban development intern with ICF, helping wildfire-impacted communities in Oregon rebuild and recover.

Where are you working this summer and what are your primary responsibilities or focus areas day-to-day?
I am working at ICF consulting firm as a housing and urban development intern assisting with a disaster management relief project, ReOregon. This project addresses the series of Oregon wildfires that occurred in 2020. There are 8 counties that were the most distressed/impacted and the goal is to aid those residents to reestablish their housing whether its through reimbursement, reconstruction, or relocation. I specifically worked with the construction team where we streamline the process of an applicant going through any of those paths. My main responsibilities were to determine what inspections each home/case needed and assigning them out, keeping applicant documents/records updated as they move through the process, and analyzing the cost differences between our pricing and the applicants’ contractors. The construction team itself does a lot and works with many different people (the applicant, construction advisors, outside contractors, etc.) and my main focus was to help move things along efficiently while working under the construction manager. 

Describe a specific project, interaction, or milestone this summer that made you think, “Yes, this is why I chose this field.” What did you take away from that moment?
An interaction that made me think “yes, this is why I chose this field,” occurred during my halfway checkpoint. My manager thanked me for my contributions and explained how the work I had done actually made a difference within the team, bringing us closer to achieving our deadline goals. As an intern, I think it’s easy to feel like the tasks you are doing are just busy work and don’t mean much, especially with this internship being fully remote. Hearing exactly how I had made a difference—and knowing that people who had been waiting far too long were closer to receiving the housing or reimbursement they deserved—made me genuinely happy.

How has this experience shaped your career goals or next steps at Luskin? Any advice for peers seeking similar internships or research opportunities?
This experience has taught me to be more open-minded to new experiences and reaffirmed for me that I would like to work in the disaster management field. I think that I was very stuck in how a job title sounded or what I thought I liked/didn’t like, that it stopped me from trying new things to actually find out. I would not have expected to enjoy working at a consulting firm had I not decided to take the chance to intern at ICF. My advice to peers would be to not limit yourself in what you think you like and to look deeper into roles because the day-to-day may be completely different than what you imagined. Take those chances now, while we are still in school!

How has this experience informed or shifted your vision for the kind of urban planning work you hope to pursue after graduation?
This experience reaffirmed my desire to work in disaster management, but it also showed me that there isn’t just one way to contribute in this field. I had a very specific idea of what disaster management would involve, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn about policy, federal funding, and state programs through the guidance of my wonderful coworkers, managers, and mentors. While I’m not yet certain which area of urban planning I will pursue after graduation, whether in government, non-profit, or consulting, I’m excited to know that the skills I’m developing now can be applied across a variety of contexts.

What planning tools, mapping skills, or community engagement strategies have you found most valuable in your day-to-day work so far?
Knowing how to analyze data has been a skill I use almost everyday and helps when I create my reports! Also, a lot of the information I learned in the ‘Law & Quality of Urban Life’ course was very helpful. Having that background knowledge in zoning and land use regulations helped me catch on quickly working with the construction team.

Mapping Safer Streets: Paul Louboutin’s Summer at LADOT

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Paul Louboutin, a Master of Urban and Regional Planning student specializing in transportation equity and design, spent his summer putting classroom theory into practice through hands-on work at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

What organization or agency are you working with this summer, and what are your primary responsibilities day‑to‑day? 

This summer I am working at Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) as an intern among their Transportation Planning and Policy team. My main tasks are quite diverse; they can range from data collection and analysis on traffic models to policy reports on specific transportation related measures. 

Describe a specific project, interaction, or milestone this summer that made you think, “Yes, this is why I chose my field.” 

I worked on a map design highlighting the existing conditions of MacArthur Park, which will undergo some potential road closures along Wilshire Boulevard to reconnect both sides of the park. This map is currently available on LADOT’s website Advanced Planning section under “Reconnecting MacArthur Park”. As a graduate student in urban planning at UCLA, I personally focused my studies on transportation equity and safety. I was glad to improve my design skills working on this visioning project in Westlake, which puts people before cars, building off my academic research improving pedestrian safety and accessibility around Stoner Park in Sawtelle. By creating this map, I learned that design elements follow standards such as a specific color palette, different fonts and sizes. More importantly, I realized that final products like this map have been reviewed multiple times by various experts, each bringing valuable input before releasing it to the public. This project examines potential open streets and permanent street closure concepts to reconnect MacArthur Park. I believe this experience prioritizing safety for those walking, biking, and rolling convinced me that I chose the right career path: working as a transportation planner seeking to provide safe streets for all road users. 

What’s one insight or perspective you’ve gained that surprised you, shifted your thinking, or changed how you approach urban planning? 

During my summer internship, I got the opportunity to work on the Measure M guidelines, an ordinance which received incredible public support in 2016. This ordinance which imposes a retail transaction and use tax allowed the city to build and expand rail lines, implement active transportation projects, improve public transit networks and reduce congestion. I specifically worked on the expenditure plans for different ongoing and future projects in Los Angeles. Looking at all these budget plans, and how important Measure M was for the city, I was surprised to see how funding is crucial in transportation planning. In an academic environment like Luskin, projects I worked on usually didn’t consider funding implications, which in my opinion is a huge mistake. I believe I stayed too long in this bubble which blinded me from the current situation, funding and investment are key to executing successful projects. Therefore, this professional experience undoubtedly shifted my understanding from an abstract conception of urban planning learned in class and real-life challenges that planners face every day. 

How has this experience shaped your career goals or next steps at Luskin? Any advice for peers seeking similar internships or research opportunities? 

This summer internship at LADOT was decisive for my own career goals. The diversity of the tasks I worked on with my team was eye-opening and I was personally challenged to put my skills learned at Luskin into practice. I now can see myself working as a transportation planner on a wide range of projects through data analysis but also design elements to better implement comprehensive policies. This opportunity is great to learn how to cooperate with other team members but also how to work in a traditional office environment. As a transportation planning intern, having this macro understanding of the city ins and outs through LADOT’s public agency lens is in my view an extremely rewarding opportunity to start exploring the professional world.