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Name: Janelle Acevedo
Hometown: Miami
Degree: 2021 Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with Certificates in Public Policy and Women and Gender Studies; beneficiary of a Global Learning Medallion and Millennium scholarship
Where do you work? I work in Americans for Immigrant Justice (AIJ) as an advocate for shelters.
How did you get your job? Applied on Idealist after seeing the organization on LinkedIn. You needed a cover letter and a curriculum vitae. I went through the interview process and the last step was a reference check.
What was your biggest fear before taking your first job, and how did you deal with or overcome it?
My biggest fear was learning the heavy legal terms and procedures that constantly change in immigration law. However, the support of the children’s legal team, supervisors, professional development opportunities and extensive training have helped me feel more confident in my role and add my professional and personal experience to find innovative ways. to better serve children in the facilities of the Refugee Resettlement Office. .
What surprised you the most about your first job?
What surprised me most about this role is that AIJ is constantly evaluating ways to truly serve the most vulnerable children. This is done with numerous trainings and webinars for all staff with immigrant-led organizations. I am able to use my anthropological expertise to better understand the country conditions that influence the factors of migration for indigenous children. As a student, I learned this in class and even had the privilege of going to Ecuador to study abroad with the Kichua people. I feel lucky to be able to use these skills in my daily role.
What advice would you give to those starting the job search process?
Be resilient. It can be difficult when looking for a job, especially during a pandemic. Make sure your cover letter highlights your past experiences, but also reflects who you are, your mission, and what you bring to the table.
What does a working day look like?
I usually start the day by checking the database for incoming minors at the facility and planning the visits for the next few days. Visits consist of Know Your Rights presentations and legal reviews to help minors find legal help once they are united with their sponsors. An important part of my role is to follow up on each child’s cases and act as a liaison between the child and their case manager to ensure they have access to their human rights. At the end of each month, I am able to make legal references for minors who need a lawyer to represent them in their immigration cases. My day is also about continuous learning through cultural awareness workshops and trainings that help sharpen the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. As a member of the AI Justice Diversity and Inclusion committee, I help find strategic initiatives to recruit more diverse candidates from a myriad of different backgrounds and experiences.
How does your work connect to your lessons?
This work is linked to my classes because my anthropology classes have focused on the “who, what, where and why”. I have taken courses focused on understanding racial history nationally and globally. Many of my classes have looked at migration patterns and push factors, which I have found very useful in understanding the stories of unaccompanied children. In addition, the courses in my certificates in Public Policy and Women and Gender Studies have helped me understand how immigration law, agencies and legislation affect the work I am able to do and how to better defend minors in the establishment. The multitude of global learning courses I have used this to help me understand the global perspective, because someone from Central America sees the world very differently from someone from South East Europe.
How was your transition from school to work? How do you balance your time?
Believe it or not, I have more free time now that I am working full time. My extensive experiences as a Senior Program Assistant at CRF Women’s Center, a student leader and through various internships / scholarships prepared me well for a full time role. Bulk planning and passion planning is always a great help in making sure that you are prepared and that you are planning your breaks as well. It also helps that the organization is committed to mental health, as we play a service-oriented role in which our clients are children who have been through traumatic events and are experiencing culture shock.
What has been the coolest thing about your job so far?
The coolest part of my job is meeting kids from all over the world. I am able to hear their stories and learn about different cultures. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear their stories and to be able to empower them through my work. We read all the good and bad circumstances happening at our borders and beyond – being part of the solution is all I could ever ask for.
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