Name: Erica Yoon
Class Year: 2025
Major: Spanish, Minor: Latin American, Iberian, and Latino/a Studies
Hometown: Queens, New York
Internship Organization: West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC)
Internship Title: Summer Intern
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
WePAC's mission is to prepare school libraries throughout the West Philadelphia area that have been under serviced due to recent budget cuts in the city. We distribute books, update library catalogs, maintain book quality, and improve accessibility of library spaces at our 13 school locations.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I am passionate about educational justice, and my experiences as a special archives intern and a tutor for children with disabilities help me recognize the importance of data accessibility. I am also grateful for the opportunity to explore more of the Philadelphia region.
Was there anything special about how you found this internship?
My search for potential service internships introduced me to many nonprofits throughout Pennsylvania. I found organizations supporting a wide range of causes I'm passionate about, including harm reduction, reproductive health, and providing resources for LGBT youth. While I chose WePAC for this program, I'm excited to connect with these other groups in the future.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
I like meeting the other volunteers, most of whom are retired teachers and librarians, and learning more about their experiences as educators. It's heartening to see how much each person cares about this work, and I'm impressed by everyone's meticulous and diligent work ethic.
What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn't expect?
Through visiting many public schools in the West Philadelphia area, I observed each library's specific needs and how they were different from the other locations. Not only did I gain experience with nonprofits and library management, but I practiced direct ways to make each space accessible. I learned how to deeply consider children's needs, focus on shelf usability, and understand how the layout of the library caters to different age ranges. The volunteers are highly knowledgable and have a deep understanding of the communities they work with.
Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you?
Most of my work was in-person, but I enjoyed some days when I was alone in the office and working independently.
Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?
I learned about library classifications and professional cataloguing, and I got a look into how the School District of Philadelphia operates. This experience strengthened my attention span, and I practiced effective organization and attention to detail. I am also more confident in my communication skills and coordinating with a supervisor. I am considering going into education as a career field, and my internship with WePAC prepared me with several soft and hard skills.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at your internship?
The commute schedule can be challenging, since I have to catch a train as well as a bus. The wait time between these two systems can be difficult.
Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?
Educational, enriching, wide-reaching
Catalog, shelf, a lot of boxes
What is most rewarding about your internship?
I enjoy transforming each space knowing that, in the school year, the children will be so excited to enter and see the improvements!
Was this internship what you expected it to be?
Yes, I fully expected this type of work and I am very grateful and fulfilled. As a small non-profit, WePAC has a diverse range of needs met by a small number of people, and I occasionally did work outside of my role description.
Career & Civic Engagement Spanish Latin American, Iberian, and Latino/a Studies