During the fall semester of 2024, APIAVote welcomed five interns to join us in our voter engagement programs and initiatives to get AAPIs educated, engaged and out to vote! Here is how they described their experiences interning with us for the past few months:
Jaden Hyun, 3rd Year at University of California, Davis
Joining APIAVote’s fall intern cohort this quarter has been a delightful and an educating experience. As a Strategic Communications intern I felt the work given to me was informative and enjoyable, due to the amazing work space that has surrounded me.
One project that I had the opportunity to collaborate on with a fellow intern was the Impact Analysis Draft. In this project, we identified core metrics that showcased APIAVote’s growth and development over the year. Using this data, we were able to communicate APIAVote’s successes to donors and supporters, which strengthened our relationships with key stakeholders. This project required cross-departmental collaboration, allowing me to engage with various teams at APIAVote and refine my professional skills in communication, data analysis, and teamwork. The simplicity of the analysis we conducted was a key takeaway, as it allowed me to apply the academic knowledge I gained at UC Davis in a real-world setting, demonstrating how education can translate into practical impact.
The internship experience was not only professional but also personal. The office workers and fellow interns truly made me feel at home, and the connections I made during both work and casual moments were invaluable. Going to professional events and sharing casual lunches with interns and staff also gave me the chance to explore Washington, D.C., and discover some hidden gems of the city. These experiences outside the office made my time at APIAVote even more memorable.
Coming to APIAVote to continue my professional career and development was one of the greatest decisions I’ve made in my professional career. As we finish the quarter off, the experiences that APIAVote has given me will continue to progress with me as I go back to UCDavis.
Lindsey Li, 4th Year at UC Berkeley
During my time as an intern at APIAVote, the most meaningful project I worked on was conducting exit polling during the 2024 US General Election. This experience allowed me to engage directly with voters and the local community, gaining firsthand insight into their perspectives, concerns, and motivations.
One moment that stands out vividly in my memory was witnessing an interaction between a fellow exit polling volunteer and an elderly woman. The woman, a regular voter at the same polling location for several elections, had also been assisted by this volunteer during the 2022 U.S. midterm elections. She struggled to read the exit poll due to poor vision, so we pulled up a chair for her to sit and rest while completing it. Additionally, the volunteer patiently communicated with her in Korean, ensuring she felt comfortable and understood throughout the exit polling process.
This interaction exemplified the importance of accessibility, cultural competency, and empathy in civic engagement. It reinforced my belief in the power of community-centered approaches to empowering voters and making the voting process more inclusive for everyone.
I also had the privilege of engaging with voters participating in their first U.S. Presidential Election. One particular voter stood out as he was incredibly excited and asked me and a few other volunteers to help him document this milestone. Outside the polling location, we assisted him in recording a video to share with his family and community, proudly showcasing his commitment to voting.
This moment highlighted the enthusiasm and pride many first-time voters feel and the ripple effect their participation can have in inspiring others within their communities.Through this experience with APIAVote, I’ve been able to connect with voters on a more personal level which has deepened my understanding of the importance of representation and accessibility in civic engagement, particularly for underrepresented communities.
Angela Gutierrez, 4th Year at UC Irvine
Though I did start this internship relatively later, I have had the opportunity to contribute to a variety of tasks and projects, including analyzing both short- and long-term metrics related to voter outreach and turnout, inputting data for the voter hotline, assisting with drafting an article, creating email templates for upcoming projects, and participating in fieldwork by volunteering with AALDEF and participated in exit polling on Election Day.
A project that I have been working on more long-term, is finding the data and research reported on Analyst Institute to back the work and outreach efforts APIAVote is doing. I had done work, along with Kayla and Rebecca, in looking for relevant information on the research on how to best engage people, in regards to voter turnout.
One moment that particularly stood out to me was during Election Day, when I was out exit polling and witnessed the sheer excitement of someone casting their vote for the first time. It really made me reflect on the important work that APIAVote does—providing voters with the resources and support they need to make their voices heard.
Interning at APIAVote this fall has provided me with invaluable insights into voter engagement and the intricate processes that drive the organization’s work. This experience has also expanded my understanding of collaboration across teams. While each team has its own specific tasks and projects, I’ve learned that success is often the result of effort done collectively.
Kaity Dong, 3rd Year, UC Riverside
My internship at APIAVote is extra special as it encouraged me to vote for the first time. It has significantly shaped my understanding of civic engagement, especially as an Asian-American, as I’ve realized the APIA community is significantly underrepresented in U.S. politics-despite continuously growing as time progresses. Not only as a growing electorate, but also as a diverse and expansive community, we deserve to be heard and represented.
Naturally, my internship here at APIAVote has been nothing short of amazing, especially during this election cycle. It’s inspirational to not only see but work alongside other APIAs dedicated to serving and uplifting our community’s voice, and I’ve learned firsthand the importance of APIAVote’s work during this year’s elections. The people here are amazing, and do equally amazing work.
I feel the most memorable work I’ve done so far has been researching legislation regarding voting accommodations and rights for states impacted by the hurricanes this year. Ensuring that individuals affected by circumstances outside of their control were informed and kept up-to-date on their rights to vote and be represented is critical, and conducting this research as accurately and rapidly as possible permitted the guarantee that individuals in these impacted states could still access the APIAVote website and retrieve voting information specific to their state and district in time for the elections. As an APIAVote intern for the Policy & Advocacy department, I’ve gained so much insight and guidance on how to conduct research into relevant legislation affecting APIA communities as well as current events surrounding our people.
Jeff Lee, 4th year, UCLA
My internship with APIAVote has been a lively and instructive introduction to the world of grassroots community organizing. Here, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the operations and infrastructure behind national voter mobilization campaigns. I also learned how local, state, and national AAPI organizations cooperate towards a united goal of group empowerment and how each fulfills specific roles to multilaterally carry out that mission.
In my time with APIAVote, I assisted in their phone and text banking campaigns by researching state voting policies, creating scripts customized to each target area, and familiarizing myself with the requisite programs, tools, and software. In addition to fieldwork, I have also worked on a policy project to research and compile information regarding APIAVote’s previous outreach concerning the Decennial Census and the redistricting process. I am currently consolidating this information into a presentable format, which will be relayed to a national conference by the Policy and Advocacy Department this December.
Overall, my internship with APIAVote has been both valuable and fulfilling, and I know these experiences will be formative in my future career development.
