Internship Location: Remote
Organization Type: Nonprofit
Policy Areas: Health policy
At The Rare Epilepsy Network (REN), I served as an intern, working closely with the organization’s director. My primary responsibilities included organizing and managing data, which was essential for helping the network streamline its information and understand the scope of its collaborations. By structuring data efficiently, I supported more effective decision-making and strategic planning. Additionally, I am continuing my work by contributing to the REN newsletter, crafting content that informs and engages stakeholders about ongoing initiatives and developments. This role has provided me with valuable hands-on experience in data management and communication within a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research and support for rare epileptic disorders. I also got to sit in a board meeting where they discussed how they’re actively working on a national plan to advance key epileptic health initiatives through Congress and boost awareness on a broader scale. This effort is part of a much larger global movement to comprehensively address rare epileptic disorders. REN’s strategy highlights the urgency of these issues and their commitment to policy influence and systemic change. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the role of policy advocacy in REN’s mission and has given me a clearer understanding of what “health policy” entails. I highly recommend this internship to anyone interested in the intersection of data management, communication, and policy advocacy, as it has significantly shaped my thinking about future career options in this field.