By: Cailyn Lu, MLPB intern and Boston University student
April 29, 2024
I have big dreams to work in global health, strengthen health systems, and create sustainable policies. I have pursued a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with an interest in health law because what is more structural than the health policies embedded into our system? Interning at MLPB was the perfect snack to fulfill my policy craving, and my experiences there have somehow intersected most aspects of my life.
- Socially: I forged connections with the small, yet incredibly personable staff. In fact, in this space, I felt the most comfortable I had ever felt in a professional setting.
- Professionally: I was allowed to explore different paths. The first semester I worked, I mostly shadowed the law and policy consultants, joined webinars, and worked on the website. This semester, to fulfill my curiosity in management, I was allowed to shadow partnership meetings and strategic consults. In addition, my coworkers were always willing to advise me on my future.
- Academically: MLPB’s work was prevalent in most of my Health Sciences classes. I was able to apply my education, witness the consequences of poor public health law, and admire legal solutions.
- Economically: un-paid, but enriching in experiences.
An example of this intersection is MLPB’s work with Massachusetts law and consultations with community health workers. In Boston, housing is an ever-present issue. The state has a deep history of redlining and continues to feel those effects to this day. It has been an arduous road combating these consequences, and often solutions are created to band-aid the problem rather than restructure the laws that were originally put in place. The housing crisis and housing law are frequent topics discussed during consults. There are always problems with housing, whether it’s eviction, finding housing, or inhabitable living spaces. Thus, I became well-versed in this topic and did a lot of research on Boston’s housing crisis and its response.
In my Global Environmental Public Health class, we were tasked to examine an environmental problem in Boston and create a policy memo for the city to implement. Luckily, I was able to draw upon my experiences at MLPB and create multiple solutions. Not only was I able to come up with topics, but I was able to describe their significance in great detail and ultimately convince my peers to trust my ideas. In the end, most of our recommendations related to housing renovations. None of this would have happened without the knowledge I gained from MLPB. Interning here helped raise my confidence and deepen my admiration for local public health.
Having fixated on global health for so long and as a New England native whose privilege shaped my perception of local government, I lived life unaware of the importance of my voice and blind to the daily workings of government policy. Never before had I thought about the longevity of structural racism, or the painstakingly long time it takes to create progress. I was unaware of the benefits distinct to each state, and the flaws governments hold. Working at MLPB highlighted the importance of policy and advocacy to uphold the voice of the people. It takes time, flexibility, patience, and collaboration to work in this field. Despite its imperfections, Massachusetts is one of the most progressive states in the country. Witnessing the complexities of the health and legal systems firsthand has given me a deep admiration for the work the Massachusetts government and organizations like MLPB are continuously doing.
These nuances are something I will take with me as I move forward in my career. As I plan on entering the Peace Corps in August 2024, I will remember to uphold patience and incorporate the community when implementing new programs. Each step matters, and the details are not to be overlooked. I will forever be grateful to MLPB for shaping my experiences and inspiring me to create sustainable change.