My name is Na’ilah Simone and I am a U3 student at McGill in the Faculty of Arts, pursuing a major in Political Science and a double minor in International Development Studies and Hispanic Studies.
Over the summer I had the opportunity to intern with the Communications Unit at the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean located in Panama City. When applying for the internship I was particularly inspired by UNFPA's mission of achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health, promoting reproductive rights, and reducing maternal mortality rates. These efforts are aimed at improving the lives of women, adolescents, and youth, all while promoting population dynamics, human rights, and gender equality. These are all issues that I am passionate about and have engaged with during my studies.
One of the reasons I wanted to do this internship was to further explore one my passions which is writing. The internship gave me the creative freedom to write articles for UNFPA’s website and their LinkedIn account, something I rarely have the opportunity to do during my studies. One of the highlights of my experience has been seeing my article posted on LinkedIn, focusing on the maternal mortality crisis among Afrodescendant and Indigenous women across the Americas.
I also improved my Spanish proficiency, more spefically my ability to use the language in a professional setting. Having acquired the language primarily through informal and conversational settings, in the beginning of my internship I occasionally found myself taking slightly longer to grasp the intricacies of professional vocabulary in my day-to-day interactions. However, working in a completely Spanish speaking office, and writing in Spanish on a daily basis significantly improved my confidence and ability to use the language in professional settings. Towards the end of my internship I was very comfortable writing and translating articles, press releases and short reports.
Another goal of my internship was being able to put my creativity to use, and learn communication skills. Through my work on the organizations social media accounts I was able to accomplish this goal. I created monthly calendars of posts for diverse social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Utilizing my creativity and tools like Canva, I designed unique infographics to engage target audiences and effectively convey key messages. Despite lacking a formal background in communications or graphic design, I successfully increased engagement by posting on the organizations accounts on a daily basis.
A recent highlight of my internship involved assuming the responsibility of coordinating and directing photographers and videographers during a noteworthy conference on child marriage. Initially, I was apprehensive aboutt the prospect of navigating this assignment independently, without the presence of my supervisor. However, the outcome surpassed my expectations, with the event proving to be a success.
Another invaluable facet of this internship has been the exposure to a dynamic office environment. This immersive experience has enabled me to hone my networking and interpersonal skills within a professional context. Engaging in meaningful conversations with colleagues about their respective roles has significantly clarified my aspirations for the future. Furthermore, as the sole intern or support staff dedicated to communications, I have cultivated a great relationship with my exceptional supervisor, whose flexibility, intellect, and inspirational qualities have left an incredible impression, and have made my internship experience amazing. I also engaged with Communications staff in UNFPA Country Offices across the region, which allowed me to highlight their work at the regional level giving greater exposure to stories detailing the successes as well remaining challenges experienced by countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
During my time in Panama, I also was able to meet fellow McGill interns working at the World Food Programme, making life long friendships. During our time outside of the office we were able to immerse ourselves in Panamanian culture and indulge in local food, music and art.
I am extremely grateful for this invaluable opportunity, which was made possible through the support of the Faculty of Arts Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism Fund awarded by the Arts Internship Office. Without the award, I would not have been able to engage in this amazing international opportunity without having to deal with any financial stresses. I would like to thank McGill and the Arts Internship Office for enabling a summer of growth and learning through my internship.
