Meet Master’s student Rylee Li! She completed a unique internship experience with the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Learn more about her experience, her significant takeaways, and advice for other CHIP students.
What was your internship and what did you do day to day?
During my internship, I worked on enhancing the availability and accessibility of intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic violence (DV) data in North Carolina. My role focused on helping North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) better understand the needs of domestic violence organizations to improve collaboration and implement trauma-informed policies.
Day to day, my tasks included researching existing data on IPV/DV, analyzing trends, and identifying gaps in available information. I also assisted in drafting reports and surveys, attended team meetings, and engaged in discussions on how to improve data collection and dissemination. I collaborated closely with the prevention team to understand the intersection of policy, advocacy, and survivor-centered approaches in this field.
What did you learn from your work?
One of the biggest things I learned is that data isn’t just numbers—it tells a story. Behind every statistic is a survivor, an advocate, or an organization working tirelessly to make a difference. Understanding this made me more thoughtful about how data is collected, shared, and used to push for change. I also gained a deeper appreciation for trauma-informed approaches—not just in research but in how we work with people in general. The team at NCCADV showed me the importance of leading with empathy and centering survivors in every decision.
Beyond that, I learned a lot about myself—how to be more confident in my abilities, how to ask for help when I need it, and how to embrace the fact that I won’t always have all the answers (and that’s okay!).
What were the most challenging aspects of your internship? What was most rewarding?
Most Challenging Aspects:
• Data gaps. I’d find myself searching for answers that simply didn’t exist, which was frustrating. It was a reminder of how much work is still needed to ensure survivors and advocates have the resources they need.
• The emotional weight of the work. IPV/DV isn’t an easy topic to engage with daily, and sometimes it was hard not to feel overwhelmed by the realities of what survivors face. It made me reflect a lot on the privilege of distance—that for me, this was research, but for so many, it’s their lived experience. Learning how to process that in a healthy way was a challenge but an important one.
Most Rewarding Aspects:
• Seeing the real-world impact. Knowing that even the smallest contribution—whether it was compiling research or presenting findings—could help shape better policies or provide more support to organizations was incredibly fulfilling.
• The people. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciated my team. Everyone was so kind, passionate, and willing to share their knowledge. I felt supported every step of the way, which made all the difference.
How did the internship contribute to your professional growth?
This experience gave me so much more confidence in my abilities. At the beginning, I was worried I wouldn’t know enough or that I wouldn’t be able to contribute meaningfully. But by the end, I realized that growth comes from showing up, being curious, and putting in the effort. I learned how to navigate real-world challenges, think critically about data, and communicate my findings in a way that actually mattered.
What advice would you give students seeking an internship or getting ready to start one?
You’re not expected to know everything—It’s okay to feel unsure at first! What matters is being open to learning and asking questions.
Seek Feedback—Your team wants to support you—don’t hesitate to ask for guidance.
Take initiative—If you’re interested in something, speak up! Whether it’s sitting in on a meeting, taking on a new task, or learning from someone’s expertise, put yourself out there.
Give yourself grace—Some days will be harder than others, especially if you’re working on tough topics. Take breaks when you need them and be kind to yourself.