As a Nigerian American and first-generation college student from New York City, my path to working in policy was anything but predictable. For years, I imagined a career in law. I even had an offer this past summer to work for an attorney in New York. But something shifted. I realized that while law addresses individual cases, policy shapes entire systems. That realization led me to pivot toward advocacy and systemic change, and ultimately, to an unexpected opportunity, an internship in Williston, Vermont, with Building Bright Futures (BBF). Moving to Vermont was not in my plans at first. But after visiting, before I started my internship as a Policy and Research Intern with BBF, I realized very quickly that I didn’t come to Vermont to “find myself.” I wanted to listen, translate, and amplify not just measuring outcomes, but understanding the realities of the families and communities living across Vermont. Yet somewhere between the quiet of Williston and a bustling hearing room in D.C., I learned how stories become policy and how policy becomes a lifeline. Over time, this experience became one of the most transformative of my academic and professional journey.
What I Did as a Policy and Research Intern
My role focused on connecting research, policy, and communication to support families and children in Vermont. Here are some highlights of what I worked on during my internship:
- Conducted policy research to support recommendations for BBF’s five-year Strategic Plan
- Attended statewide and regional meetings to document priorities in Vermont’s early childhood system
- Drafted policy memos and data briefs tailored to diverse audiences
- Explored issues impacting children and families, including housing, mental health, early education, and family support
- Strengthened skills in research, writing, and advocacy under the mentorship of BBF’s policy director
- Created blogs, one-pagers, and Canva infographics to make complex information accessible
- Worked on Act 76 employer interviews, summarizing findings for monitoring reports
- Transcribed and coded family focus group notes, amplifying community voices in policy conversations
Throughout my internship, I learned that writing is a powerful tool for change. Whether drafting policy memos, creating family-friendly guides, or writing blogs, I adapted my style for different audiences. Sometimes my writing was technical and data-driven; other times, it was compassionate and easy to understand. I learned that communication is advocacy: When we explain systems clearly, we open doors that have been closed.
Under the mentorship and supervision of BBF’s policy director, Anna Brouillette, I truly learned to anchor advocacy in evidence and that evidence in lived experience. I supported BBF’s Policy Recommendations process on housing, mental health, early education, and family support, documenting priorities across Vermont’s early childhood system.
Pictured: Titi and Anna Brouillette outside Building Bright Futures’ Williston, Vermont office; Titi and Morgan Crossman in D.C., and Titi in Vermont this past summer
One of the most exciting parts of my internship was midway through the summer, traveling to Washington, D.C. with Morgan Crossman. There, I met policy advocates, researchers, and government staff working on child and family issues. Standing in rooms where national policy is shaped, I carried Vermont with me through the families who shared their stories, the priorities I heard at statewide and regional meetings, and the data I translated into recommendations. The lesson was clear: Systemic change needs both grassroots voices and policy leadership. The bridge between community and policy is built through persistence, partnership, and language people can trust. It reminded me that policy is not just about laws, it’s about people.
Learning Beyond the Office
During my time working in Vermont, I had the great privilege to attend the UVM Rise Summit, where I saw how research and data inform policy decisions. I also helped lead a presentation on Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) during an all-staff skillshare with BBF, emphasizing youth engagement in policy work. Another memorable experience was visiting the Rokeby Museum for a Juneteenth celebration with the BBF team. Learning about Vermont’s history and its connection to the Underground Railroad was powerful. It reminded me that advocacy is deeply rooted in understanding the past while shaping the future.
From Research to Impact
My academic background as a senior at St. Lawrence University studying sociology, education, and political science gave me the tools to analyze inequities, but BBF taught me how to apply those lessons in real-world settings. I learned to interpret data, write for diverse audiences, and collaborate with experts. Most importantly, I saw how research and advocacy work together to create systemic change.
Internships like this are more than work experience; they are opportunities to make a difference. BBF’s mission to support children and families in Vermont gave me a sense of purpose. I wasn’t just learning; I was contributing to projects that matter. This internship confirmed my passion for policy and advocacy. In the future, I hope to pursue a master’s in Public Policy or Educational Policy and continue building bridges between community voices and decision-makers. My time at BBF taught me that even when the path is unexpected, it can lead to life-changing experiences. Equity isn’t a slogan for me; it’s a practice shaped by listening and action. Unexpected paths sometimes lead to the most important rooms. I’m grateful I walked into this one. Thank you, BBF.
