Youth/Student Services

League of Women Voters^®
of Los Angeles

Internship Opportunities

What We Offer. Summer 2011 Student Interns. What our students think. Ways to Get Involved.

What We Offer

The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a non-profit, nonpartisan political organization. Its mission is to promote informed and active participation in government. LWV Los Angeles wishes to find effective ways to engage youth and diverse populations in our community in the awareness of civic issues. We are eager to work with students and staff to design projects that are relevant to our goals and theirs.
Here are some examples of current projects/studies and programs of the League of Women Voters Los Angeles in which individuals might choose to assist. Each provides opportunities for learning and action and for involvement in the workings of democracy at the local level. It is a chance to help make change happen.
The California Academy of Math and Science has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles on Facebook to involve students in the broader discussion of participating in the voting process. Chime in!
Responses and requests for further information can be sent to:

Zhita Rea, internships@lwvlosangeles.org, 323-571-1603.

Summer 2011 Student Interns

Javier Chavez, from Rancho Cucamonga, is currently studying Politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Javier chose to intern with the League so that he could gain experience in reaching out to those without a voice. In the future, Javier plans to move to Africa in order to help developing nations in that region. Reaching out to the people will be one of the first steps to accomplish that mission. Working with the League will help Javier gain some of this experience, so that he can one day help in an international spectrum.

Krystal Henriquez, from Los Angeles, CA, is a senior studying Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration at California State University, Los Angeles. Krystal is passionate about the League of Women Voters' (LWV) commitment to increase the understanding of major public policy issues, and to influence public policy through education and advocacy since it's founding in 1920. Krystal's long-term goal is to be an administrator and a political analyst to improve efficiency in her community through administrative duties and policy-making efforts. Krystal chose to intern for LWVLA because it offers leadership opportunities, knowledge and hands-on experience that will add to her abilities to enhance her educational career aspirations.

Joann Horta, born and raised in Puerto Rico, moved to Los Angeles to pursue her universities studies. She has a Bachelors in History and has recently graduated with a Masters degree in Political Science with an emphasis in global politics. Joann chose to intern at the LWVLA to obtain hands on experience on advocacy and non profit management

Kaitlyn Jeong is a senior at Arcadia High School and is thrilled to be serving as a student intern for the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles. Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Kaitlyn has sought out opportunities to become involved with surrounding communities though volunteer service and hopes to pass on the knowledge she has gained from the League about government action and advocacy to her peers. Kaitlyn's experience with the League has furthered her desire to continue her studies in Political Science and she looks forward to working with the League in teaching others how impactful a single voice or a single vote can be.

Annie Shapiro is a current intern at the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and attends Palisades Charter High School as a senior. She was born in Tarzana, CA and is interning with the LWVLA for the first time this summer. As a future Political Science and International Relations major, Annie is excited to work with the League in order to broaden her knowledge of government, advocacy and policy. While pursuing her passions, she hopes to bring the ideas of the League to different individuals in the Los Angeles area in order to educate the public on various political issues and processes.

Sophia Tieman is a student at Occidental College from South Pasadena, CA. Sophia chose to intern at the League because she is majoring in Politics and is interested in working with non-profits. "This organization is both political and non-profit, so it seemed like a good fit!"

Kiara Williams is a second year student studying Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law at the University of California, San Diego. She is from Torrance, CA and decided to become an intern for the LWVLA because she is passionate about public policy and hopes to become more involved with the public issues that affect her community. Her ultimate goal is to attend law school after she graduates and practice public law in Southern California, an area that she has grown to love. Kiara is excited to learn and experience all that the LWVLA internship has to offer and looks forward to using the skills she learns at the LWVLA in her future.

What our students think

Zinia Gangopadhyay was an office intern during the Spring and Summer 2009 semesters. She was enrolled as a political science major at California State University Northridge and is now living in New Orleans. She continues to be active in League in her new hometown.
Elis Lee was an office intern during both the Summer 2009 and Summer 2010 semesters. She is a recent graduate from Crescenta Valley Senior High School and will be attending Smith College in Northampton, Massachusettes in the Fall of 2010.

Ways to Get Involved

LWVLA seeks to engage youth in the issues and programs so essential to our organization. There are several components to our Youth Outreach including: Internships, a Campus Outreach program that we plan to initiate in 2011-2012, and the Running and Winning Forum.

Internships: Young people from high schools, colleges, graduate programs, etc. have opportunities to participate with LWVLA as interns, volunteers and/or to fulfill Service Learning requirements of their academic programs. In order to ensure that the time spent with LWVLA is mutually beneficial to the students and to our organization, we make the internship opportunities as flexible as possible. Each internship is planned as a collaboration that engages the student, LWVLA members and LWVLA staff.

Most interns work in the office mentored by LWVLA's Executive Director and the Administrative Assistant. Each intern is assigned a special project which allows them to use their research, problem solving and creative skills. Interns also assist with office routines and have the opportunity to meet with staff for informal seminars on the workings of our nonprofit organization. Some interns work directly with LWVLA committees engaged in research and problem solving related to League positions. (See the website section on Current Projects for more information.)

Interns are a key part of LWVLA and can benefit by gaining valuable experience in a nationally respected non-profit organization. Those who successfully complete their internships are assured letters of recommendation. All of our internships are unpaid but, as one of our recent interns stated, "The experience that you will receive in combination with the resume boost will certainly improve your employment chances in the future."

To initiate your internship, send a copy of your resume and a statement of what you hope to accomplish by working with LWVLA to internships@lwvlosangeles.org. For further information contact Zhita Rea, 323-571-1603, or call the League office, 213-368-1616.

Note: The following youth outreach projects also include opportunities for intern or youth volunteer involvement:

Campus Outreach: This is a proposed program now in the design stage. The goal of this project is to increase informed civic engagement among high school and college students and other youth groups.

Current LWVLA interns are designing this project; the emerging plan is to have future and past interns speak to government and social studies classes about their own civic engagement. The focus of their presentations will be to encourage students' voter registration, to increase their awareness of LWV's nonpartisan role in analyzing civic issues, ballot measures, etc., and to motivate students' informed voting and participation in the electoral process. Interns will also provide a presence at school community events.

Running and Winning: The Running and Winning Forum is an annual event designed by LWV for high school students in the LA area. This unique program engages students in small group discussion with elected officials to consider what is involved in running for office. In addition to the knowledge they gain, students also recognize that these officials are real people with whom they can talk. Students then form mock campaign teams, take a position on a focus issue and prepare campaign speeches to share with Forum attendees. Throughout the day, each student group is guided by an intern acting as facilitator. This program is planned by the R&W Committee and funded by Verizon.

For the first time, R&W 2011, scheduled for November 17, will be held at City Hall, thanks to the recommendation of Tom LaBonge with arrangements made by LWVLA Board member, Kimberly Willis.

If you have connections with a high school in the LA area that you would like to see participate in R&W or if you would like to participate in any other way, please contact the committee.

For further information, participation, or to offer suggestions, contact: Zhita Rea, internships@lwvlosangeles.org, 323-571-1603

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: April 30, 2012 14:12 PDT.