Celeste Gomez
Majors: Law & Society, Finance
Legal Assistant, Immigrant Connection at The Bridge
How did you learn about this internship opportunity?
I interned with Immigrant Connection my senior year of high school and decided to ask the last summer for an internship.
How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?
This internship has been pivotal in strengthening my communication, organizational, and cultural competency skills. By assisting with client intake and immigration paperwork, I learned how to manage sensitive information with accuracy and confidentiality. Working directly with immigrant families gave me clarity that I want a career where I can bridge legal knowledge with community service, ensuring that underserved groups have access to resources and representation. My Liberal Arts education prepared me to approach my internship with both empathy and critical thinking. Liberal Arts also emphasizes strong writing and communication, which I relied on daily while explaining processes to clients, drafting documents, and working with the representatives.
What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?
My advice would be to seek out opportunities that connect your coursework with your passions. Internships aren’t just about building a résumé; they’re about discovering where your skills and values intersect. Don’t hesitate to apply for roles that push you outside your comfort zone.
What specific responsibilities have you undertaken during your internship?
In my role, I was responsible for assisting with client intake, preparing immigration paperwork, organizing case files, and helping families navigate complex legal processes. I also supported translation and interpretation when needed and I was in charge of a citizenship class over a course of 9 weeks!
In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our job-ready program specifically aided your professional development?
The College of Liberal Arts supported me by providing funding and resources that made this internship possible. Through the job-ready program, I learned how to translate my Liberal Arts skills into professional language, especially emphasizing communication, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. Being a CLA student is significant because it has given me both the academic foundation and the confidence to pursue meaningful opportunities like Immigrant Connection, where I could see my education directly benefiting real people.
Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in this program that you find particularly noteworthy?
A standout aspect was seeing the immediate impact of my work on clients’ lives. That hands-on, human connection was deeply rewarding and reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career that uplifts immigrant communities.