The ADL Mountain States Regional Office was fortunate to have the capable and talented Sophia Roseman as our intern for the 2022 Spring academic semester. We asked Sophia to reflect on her internship as she concludes her time with us this month. Keep reading to hear what Sophia gained from her internship, and what is next for her!
For the past six months, I’ve had the pleasure of interning with the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region (ADL). After I finished my bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University, I wanted to find a local nonprofit I could work with that focused on civil rights issues. I was really committed to interning with a local organization so that I could begin helping people before I continue my academic goals. I was thrilled when I discovered ADL because it allowed me to do just that and, get in touch with my Jewish heritage.
My time at ADL has been a blessing! I was able to learn about the vast array of resources ADL provides. Whether it’s anti-bias education through No Place for Hate®, working with law students through the Summer Associate Research Program, hearing Survivor testimony at the Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program, or learning about the bias incidents ADL addresses every day, I discovered the assistance that ADL provides makes a difference in many people’s lives. Being able to intern with an organization that does what ADL does also allowed me to make a difference. It is also incredible to see how so many of the resources ADL provides are education-focused, ensuring that the issues are eradicated through knowledge. Furthermore, I feel very blessed to have been able to join a team that was excited to have me there and also was extremely appreciative of the help I provided.
As part of my internship, I was glad to be able to attend a day of Words to Action programs at Denver area high schools. It was amazing to see how many young students wanted to learn more about hate speech and symbols as they relate to antisemitism and bias, and it was even better to see how much they already knew. Attending the school training events made me really hopeful for the younger generations and for the future in general. My favorite project on which I worked was the Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program. This event was particularly meaningful to me because I really did feel like I was helping execute the project. I learned so much about survivors and our partner organizations, and it was really impactful to see how many people in the community participated and learned from the program.
Working with ADL has taught me some important lessons that I am grateful for because they will follow me throughout my life working in a professional field. The one that has stood out to me the most would be how to make connections even while working remotely. When I was completing my undergraduate degree at CSU, we moved into online classes in 2020, which made it really hard to stay engaged in the courses and with my peers. I’m happy to be able to contrast this experience with the one I had working with the Mountain States ADL team, which changed this perspective completely. Everyone cared so much about how I was doing, even including my plans for the weekend. It made me feel very connected to the team even when I wasn’t there in person. That intentional connection building is really important when moving into any new job, and I am glad I learned how to do it thanks to the ADL staff. I am especially grateful to Senior Associate Regional Director Sue Parker Gerson for being an amazing supervisor. I feel very thankful to have had the opportunity to work with someone who not only does such incredible work for the community but also who wants to help me grow into a better person. Sue and the entire ADL staff really made me feel welcomed and part of the team.
Next spring, I hope to be starting law school to earn my JD, focusing on civil rights and racial justice. My passions in life are ensuring everyone has equitable social and political rights, especially regarding race, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion, and ability. I am thankful that ADL has opened my eye to some local issues I didn’t know were present so that I am more prepared to take on the responsibilities my career will entail.
Editor: We wish Sophia all the best with her future law career, thank her for her wonderful contributions to our regional team this year!
Please click here for more information about applying for an ADL Mountain States internship. Applications are currently being accepted for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.