Law students shine in summer externships: Advocacy and Corporate Insights
Widener University Commonwealth Law School students Yazmin Giraldo and Nicole Whittle are making the most of their summer externships, showcasing the invaluable experience and benefits these opportunities provide. Through their respective internships, they are gaining hands-on experience and contributing meaningfully to their fields.
Dean andré douglas pond cummings expressed his excitement for these opportunities. "We are very enthusiastic about partnering our very talented students with exciting and important internship and externship opportunities throughout the city, region, and state. Opportunities for our students like Yazmin working with the Pennsylvania Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Fairness and Nicole working with Hershey provide them with unparalleled legal experience while allowing local firms, corporations, and non-profits the chance to see our excellent students in action. These two examples are just two of the innumerable partnerships that provide our students with legal experience and potential future employment while allowing local, regional, and national businesses and firms the chance to work with terrific future lawyers."
Advocating for Fairness and Justice
Yazmin Giraldo is interning at the Pennsylvania Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Fairness. Her work, which includes drafting letters, conducting research, and attending committee meetings, aligns with her passion for social justice. "My experience at the Interbranch Commission has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to various projects that I am passionate about," Giraldo said. "One of my favorite parts of the internship is the meetings because you really see what the Commission has been working on during the times they don’t meet."
Giraldo’s journey into law was influenced by her upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, in a family of immigrants who did not speak English. Witnessing the struggles of marginalized communities firsthand fueled her desire to advocate for those often overlooked. "Growing up, my family and I faced many challenges, and they deeply influenced my desire to help those who are underrepresented," she shared.
Professor Anna Hemingway, a member of the Interbranch Commission appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2022, emphasized the importance of the Commission's work. "The Commission focuses on problem-solving and raising awareness of issues that impact the fair administration of justice," Hemingway said. "For example, we are working on the name change process for survivors of domestic violence and establishing a statewide rape kit tracking system."
Bridging Legal Knowledge and Corporate Operations
Nicole Whittle’s internship journey through the Dinisa H. Folmar Internship Program led her from working at the Reese’s Plant to joining the corporate legal team at Hershey. "It seemed like a really great program that offered the unique kind of learning opportunity and experience that I was looking for," Whittle said. Her days were filled with one-on-one conversations with attorneys, touring the Hershey West Plant, and participating in various meetings. "It was interesting to learn something new about the business every day and then compare it to my work experience," she shared.
Whittle’s connection to Hershey runs deep. Growing up playing travel soccer and spending time at Hershey Park, she felt a natural draw to the company. The transition from working at Amazon to Reese’s Plant during the pandemic further solidified her interest in understanding the intricate processes of manufacturing and corporate operations. "I’m in a unique position to combine my legal knowledge and manufacturing experience," she noted.
Whittle's path to law was influenced by her connections with practicing and retired attorneys during the COVID-19 quarantine. Initially interested in music performance, she transitioned to business and writing before ultimately pursuing a legal career. The show "Rebel," which showcased a legal advocate’s fight for justice, also played a significant role in inspiring her.
Maximizing Potential and Future Impact
Both Giraldo and Whittle’s experiences highlight the transformative impact of summer externships. "While the efforts of government offices may seem incremental and unable to change the system overnight, they bring me a sense of fulfillment and hope," Giraldo said. "It is heartening to see that there are ways to make a meaningful impact and help people through the legal profession."
Whittle echoed similar sentiments about the value of her internship. "I’ve learned just how small the legal community is and how much I still have left to learn. The experience and connections I’ve made will undoubtedly aid me in navigating my future legal career," she said.
Professor Elizabeth Simcox, coordinator of externships at Widener Law Commonwealth, emphasized the value of these opportunities. "I have students that start an externship who are disenchanted with law school, and they're not sure they should be there. Invariably, they will say at the end of the experience, ‘This was the best thing. Now I know why.' It speaks volumes, and it's through the externship experience that they come to that realization," Simcox said. "So many of them say, 'Oh my gosh, I remember learning this in class and now I'm putting it into play,' and that makes me feel good. I want to give a shoutout to their professors and say, 'Hey, they're getting it, and now they can correlate what you're teaching in the classroom with what they're practicing in the real world, with real clients.'"
Simcox also highlighted the broader goals of the externship program. "What we're trying to do at Widener Law Commonwealth isn't just to have students walk out the door with a juris doctor but also with a very strong resume," she explained. "Our externships and law clinic play a big part in that. We have a prime opportunity in this community to have access to many magnificent placements because we're in the state capital. The opportunities our students have to build a robust experience on their resumes happen at this law school, and I encourage them to take advantage of several externship opportunities during their time here."
For future students considering internships, both Giraldo and Whittle offer valuable advice. "Come with an open mind and a willingness to engage deeply with the issues," Giraldo said. Whittle emphasized the importance of networking and mentorship, adding, "Seize such opportunities to broaden your perspective and make meaningful connections."
