Lindsey Minor is a junior political science major. Since June 2025, Lindsey has interned for the City of Philadelphia's Office of Immigrant Affairs. Read on to learn more about how she secured the internship and her experience working in the Office of the Immigrant Affairs. (Lindsey is also a member of Temple's Women's Fencing team, the second member of the team we've covered this academic year!)
What was your experience looking for internships and how did you end up in your current role?
I began searching for internships during winter break my sophomore year. I created a spreadsheet to track all internships I was interested in, those I applied to, and my application status. While I found many political science opportunities, few of them were in a field of interest to me.
After winter break, I met with Sean Murphy, the Program Coordinator for Temple’s Political Science Department, who urged me to apply to the Mayor's Internship Program. From there, I applied and interviewed with the City’s Department of Ethics and the Department of Immigrant Affairs. I then secured the internship position within the Office of Immigrant Affairs.
As an intern in the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, what is a typical day for you?
A typical day for me in the office varies depending on the time of year. Currently, the majority of my tasks involve preparing for Immigrant Heritage Month (IHM) in June. I develop a lot of communications content (such as proclamations, newsletters, and social media drafts) to share details about IHM and inform residents about available resources. Last month was focused on supporting the Mayor's Commissions on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs and Asian and Pacific American Immigrant Affairs as they appointed new commissioners. That was particularly exciting because I was able to sit in on the interviews every day.
How would you describe the work the office does?
I would best describe the office's work as promoting inclusion, equity, and access by serving as a bridge between immigrant communities and municipal services. All of our resources go toward improving the lives of immigrants through services such as increased language access and connection to legal services. The office also focuses on making Philadelphia a more welcoming city through celebrations of inclusion, like Immigrant Heritage Month and Welcoming Week.
How has this internship helped prepare you for a future career?
In the office, I handle a variety of tasks that vary dramatically. As this usually corresponds with the main objectives of our office, which constantly change, it has given me the ability to pivot and continue delivering when plans or timelines change.
Where did your interest in immigration affairs stem from?
Coming to Temple, I knew I wanted to major in political science, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to really focus on. Throughout my time here, I realized I was really interested in international affairs. This led to a fascination with international law and human rights, and the experiences of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants.
I have always wanted my career to be rooted in uplifting others, and I can do that through my internship in Immigrant Affairs. I am grateful to be able to provide support to communities that often face many barriers and lack access to the resources and opportunities I’ve had.
Do you have a vision for next steps in your career?
Honestly, my vision for the next couple of years after I graduate is very loose. Once I get my bachelor's degree, I would like to live abroad for a couple of years, perhaps in South Africa or South America, and contribute to grassroots NGOs. Upon my return to the U.S., I plan on pursuing a master's in International Affairs. I am still unsure where I want to center my career, but I am confident I will find a path that stimulates and fulfills me.