1 The Journey: Beginning

Getting an internship with NYPIRG was about more than just a resume boost for me—it was about actually finding a way to make a difference in New York City. I started this journey because I realized the problems I saw every day, like broken campus buildings and the high cost of commuting, weren’t going to fix themselves.

I got the position by showing how much I care about grassroots organizing. During my interview, I talked about how all of NYPIRG’s goals connect. I explained that climate change isn’t just a global issue, it’s a local one, and that fixing our campus is about making things fair for all students. I really believe that student voices are the most powerful tool we have to change laws.

Once I started, I jumped right in. My work has focused on three main things: making life more affordable, protecting the environment, and changing laws. I’ve been heavily involved in the “Transit Equity” campaign, fighting for free OMNY cards for students. For a lot of us, the price of a subway swipe determines if we can even make it to class. Making transit free is a huge step in fighting economic unfairness. 

On campus, I’ve been pushing for better facilities to make sure our classrooms are safe and modern. Outside of school, I’ve helped get students to call legislators in Albany to push for stronger environmental laws and civil rights. 

At NYPIRG, I’ve learned that fighting for a better world isn’t just a dream—it’s a lot of phone calls, petitions, and rallies. This internship showed me that when thousands of students stand together, we don’t just ask for change; we make it happen