A Summer of Discovery: Reflections from Our 2025 PICS Intern

This summer, Benetech welcomed Natalie Laszewski, a rising junior at Princeton University majoring in Economics with minors in Computer Science and Finance, as part of the Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS) program. Over the course of eight weeks, Natalie worked closely with our Marketing, Communications, and Advancement teams — diving into projects that ranged from research and case studies to social media and communications strategy.

Natalie applied to the PICS internship with a clear goal: to stay connected to work that creates meaningful social impact. “When I saw Benetech’s mission around education and accessibility, it was something I wanted to learn more about,” she explained. From her very first day, she was struck by the passion of the Benetech team. “Everyone seemed so passionate about the work they were doing. I’m a firm believer that if you’re passionate about your work, you do better work and make a greater impact.”

Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone

Among her many contributions, Natalie is especially proud of her case study project highlighting Bookshare users’ stories. She conducted qualitative interviews — a new experience for her — and took the lead in capturing how accessible books change lives.

“I had never done research like that before, but with the support of the team, I felt confident by the end,” she shared. “I was honored that the Bookshare interviewees trusted me to share their experiences with the public.”

One interview stood out in particular. A Bookshare member, Sharene Nathan, reflected on how different her life might have been if she’d had access to accessible books earlier in her education. Another user, Tyrese, spoke about once hating reading but now excitedly showing Natalie a book she planned to read next through Bookshare. “Hearing their stories made me emotional,” Natalie admitted. “It gave me a real sense of purpose during my internship.”

Lessons in Accessibility Awareness

Before joining Benetech, Natalie thought she had a strong understanding of accessibility. But working with our team and speaking directly with Bookshare users gave her a new perspective.

“Accessibility in education is an intricate topic with many layers,” she reflected. “Reading about challenges is one thing, but when you hear directly from someone living with a print disability, it changes your perspective. I’m leaving this internship both with new technical skills and as a more globally educated citizen on accessibility.”

Skills for the Future

Over the summer, Natalie expanded her skill set in meaningful ways. She honed her research abilities, gained hands-on experience with design tools like Canva, learned new platforms such as WordPress and Muck Rack, and sharpened her communication and organizational skills.

The internship also gave her clarity about her future career path. “This summer was a summer of discovery,” she said. “I realized I especially enjoy research and am now considering a career in that direction — ideally combining it with social impact.”

Finding Connection in a Remote Environment

Like many interns today, Natalie entered a remote work environment for the first time. Initially, she worried about not making connections. But with team support, she quickly overcame those concerns.

“I learned it’s important to reach out and connect with people around you,” she said. “Even though we worked remotely, I still built meaningful relationships with the team.”

Advice for Future Interns

As she wrapped up her internship, Natalie shared advice for the next PICS intern joining Benetech:

• Ask questions freely. “Benetech is one of the most supportive work environments I’ve been in. You’ll learn so much by asking questions and showing curiosity.”
• Take initiative. “Don’t feel like you can’t contribute because you’re an intern. I was given a voice to make a real impact here.”
• Be clear about your interests. “Express early on what you want to gain from the experience. The team will help you explore those areas.”

Looking Ahead

Natalie leaves Benetech with gratitude for the people she worked with and the impact she was able to make. “I’m thankful to Benetech for giving me clarity on my career path and for helping me grow both professionally and personally. This has been a truly transformative summer.”

We’re equally grateful for Natalie’s energy, insight, and contributions — and we can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next.