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Psychology major and Environmental Studies minor, Lakshmi Natesan, has explored her interests in art, social justice, and storytelling in her work on campus with Dharmic Students Association, as a Community Diversity Assistant, and as a . While some may not know that Philadelphia is the mural capital of the world, this summer Lakshmi is learning this first-hand, with an internship for the Communications Department at .

How did you find this internship?

Art is one of my passions as is art education, and Bryn Mawr helped me with the first step in that career. The Career and Civic Engagement Center runs a program called Summer of Service, where you can work at a service or activism organization in the Bryn Mawr/Philadelphia region and, if necessary, Bryn Mawr will fund you. Summer of Service has offered me free housing in Batten House this summer and covered my SEPTA transport monthly card, so even if I’m not traveling into the city for work, I have assistance getting around.  Alongside my work in the office, I get to do on-site painting for a climate justice mural, which I am excited about! 

What have you enjoyed so far with this internship?

The Mural Arts motto is “beautify, inspire, empower,” and Philadelphia is such a beautiful city with so many people and stories, so working in a role like this has given me the opportunity to learn more about them, their backgrounds, voices, and dreams. There’s something special about seeing your work on in real time: the words I wrote, graphics I made, or press releases I proofread and co-wrote. It’s very meaningful to be in the room where it happens and then see your work out in the world.   

How has Bryn Mawr prepared you for this experience?

I started the role without copywriting experience, so I didn’t fully understand what went into that, but I was able to pick it up quickly because Bryn Mawr emphasizes writing skills. My ESEM taught me that you only have so much space to say something, so you have to make every word count. The community at Bryn Mawr has made me feel comfortable reaching out to professors and students on campus, which has in turn made me feel comfortable reaching out to people in the organization. I haven’t felt nervous reaching out to my supervisors, because Bryn Mawr emphasizes office hours and building relationships with professors. 

Lakshmi is also excited to travel this summer and into the fall for study abroad. “I am leaving my internship a couple of days early because I have a family event in India, then I come home with two weeks to pack up for Italy.” This fall, she will be studying abroad in Perugia at the Umbra Institute in the Food, Sustainability, and Environmental Studies program!