From Classroom to Community: Emily Driver’s Quest for Education Equity at Benetech

Benetech is grateful for the second opportunity this summer to work with the Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS). PICS is an alumni-founded program of the John H. Pace, Jr. ’39 Center for Civic Engagement that provides Princeton undergraduates with paid summer internships in nonprofit organizations. These specialized programs aim to help students gain a deeper understanding of service and civic engagement, as well as increase their ability to use service as a guiding lens in academics and beyond.

Through the program, Benetech hosted summer intern, Emily Driver – a rising junior at Princeton University majoring in Economics with a minor in Statistics & Machine Learning. Emily worked with our Marketing and Communications teams to support and enrich our media outreach, thought leadership and branding initiatives.

Emily discussed her summer experience with Benetech, achieving education equity for all, in the following story.

Emily Driver’s Transformative Summer with Benetech

As an ambitious rising junior, Emily sought an opportunity where she could merge her passion for technology with her desire to make a tangible difference in the world. Benetech, with its commitment to using technology to promote education equity, quickly became her top choice.

From the outset, Emily felt a deep connection to Benetech’s mission and values. The organization’s dedication to empowering communities through technology resonated with her own goals. During her initial interview, Emily was impressed by how welcoming and personal the Benetech team was, which made her feel valued and assured her that she had found the right place to spend her summer. This supportive and collaborative atmosphere became a hallmark of her internship experience.

Lessons in Communication and Collaboration

Emily’s internship at Benetech was not just about completing projects; it was also about personal growth and learning. Her most valuable lesson was to ask questions, no matter how simple they seemed. At the beginning of her internship, Emily encountered company jargon that was unfamiliar to her. Though initially hesitant to ask for clarification, she quickly realized the value of seeking clarity and ensuring she fully understood the context of her work. This experience underscored the importance of communication, a skill that Emily knows will be essential in her future career.

A highlight of Emily’s internship was the opportunity to have 1-on-1 conversations with various team members. These interactions provided her with a well-rounded understanding of Benetech’s operations and allowed her to connect with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Through these conversations, Emily gained insights into different aspects of the organization and broadened her perspective beyond the teams she worked with regularly.

Skill Development and Future Aspirations

During her time at Benetech, Emily made significant strides in developing her marketing skills. The process of creating media kits for different upcoming Benetech programs required her to craft clear and engaging content, whether in the form of written posts or visual graphics. Additionally, she honed her ability to identify potential partners, sponsors, and journalists who could help elevate Benetech’s resources. These skills will undoubtedly serve her well as she continues her academic and professional journey.

Reflecting on her summer at Benetech, Emily is certain that she would return to work there in the future. Despite the challenges of an all-virtual working environment, Benetech successfully fostered a strong sense of community and collaboration among its team members. The work she did was purposeful and impactful, and she found it incredibly rewarding to see how her contributions made a difference in the lives of students. Emily is grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an inspiring organization, and she looks forward to the possibility of continuing her journey with Benetech.

For prospective interns considering a position at Benetech, Emily’s advice is to ensure that their interests align with the organization’s mission. This alignment will make their work more fulfilling and rewarding. She encourages future interns to treat each day as a learning experience and to ask all the questions they have. With passion and curiosity, Emily believes that anyone interning at Benetech will be well-positioned to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

To learn more about Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS) please visit: https://pace.princeton.edu/get-involved/pace-center-programs/princeton-internships-civic-service. To connect with Emily, and follow her impact journey visit, https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyedriver/.