Sera is a Master of Social Work (MSW) candidate at Rutgers University who has been interning with the IRC in Elizabeth’s Education and Learning team as part of her program. She has been a wonderful addition to the team, working with clients to realize their educational goals in New Jersey. Sera reflected on her experience so far, offering a glimpse into the experience of an IRC intern. Enjoy!

As an MSW intern from Rutgers-Newark, I knew I would be learning and gaining experience with client engagement and agency workings, in addition to immigration both as a political issue and as a reality with individuals and families. Of course I had read about these things and truly believed I had a decent understanding before I even walked in the door. This is not to say I knew everything, or even a lot. But as an intern, I tried to be as ready as I could be. I have had a great experience overall, learning from staff and fellow interns alike in formal and informal ways.

But it was a client who taught me the most. Kadir* was referred to me for career and educational assistance. He was working at a restaurant that does mostly catering, surviving and supporting his mother with the help of his sister. However, his education had prepared him for a career in engineering, and while he was relieved to be earning a living, yearned to return to the work for which he was educated.

He arrived at our first appointment somewhat apologetic, having arrived a few minutes late. He told me his mother had told him to leave earlier; he said he should have listened to her. He and I chuckled together about mothers always being right. As he told me his educational story, he became animated, clearly having been an eager and hard-working student. He proudly spoke of the degree he had earned in engineering and the classes he had taken.

As I listened, I considered the best way the IRC could assist him in pursuing his goal of a career as an engineer in the US. This seemed a tall order. As he wrapped up, he said he had been accepted by a program for immigrant engineers at The Cooper Union in New York but he was not sure this would be worth attending. I do not like to interrupt clients, but here I had to. “Kadir,” I said, “Cooper Union is a great school in the US; if you have the opportunity, you should go!” It was here that I realized my power as an intern at the IRC. My knowledge and experience could be used to help the client see the value of this opportunity, perhaps changing the trajectory of his career in the US.

We spoke some about that he knew of the program and what I knew of Cooper Union’s reputation. We agreed to meet again. He was to do some research about the kind of careers he could pursue in NJ and I would look into this program and potential industries that look for engineers.

He and I both did our work for each other. But what he did not know was that he was teaching me the importance of truly understanding and listening to clients. He was teaching me the importance of assisting clients where they are – others had helped him find a place to live, get a job, now it was my job to help him in his career. And finally, he was teaching me that the dream of immigration is alive.

We did meet again a couple more times. The last day I saw him he was starting his Cooper Union program that evening. He was as excited to be part of a highly esteemed educational setting as I excited to see him embark on this new path. Thank you, IRC, for letting me see, in real time and with a person right in front of me, the meaning of your work with those who want safety and opportunity in the US.

*name changed to protect client privacy.

Relationships built between IRC staff, interns, and clients are crucial in realizing the goals and dreams of refugees, asylees, and immigrants in America. Thank you to Sera for her wonderful work on behalf of Kadir and the clients she has assisted along the way. The IRC in Elizabeth is proud of Kadir's determination to chart a path for himself in New Jersey.

If you would like to support work like Sera's, please click here. To learn more about internship opportunities with the IRC in Elizabeth, please click here.