Real Cases, Real Impact: Molly’s Internship with Pierce County Courts

With a passion for service and a drive to make the most of her time at PLU, Molly has taken advantage of numerous academic, experiential, and extracurricular opportunities. She captained the PLU Women’s Softball Team, led the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and is graduating with a double major and a minor. This past summer, she interned with the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk’s Office. We caught up with Molly to learn more about her experience.

What are you majoring in?
I am double majoring in Philosophy and Gender, Sexuality & Race Studies with a minor in Native American & Indigenous Studies.

How did this internship come about?
In the winter, I started to research summer legal internships, which included searching through the PLU Opportunities Board and Linkedin jobs, and chatting with professors about their ideas for summer employment opportunities.

What did you do for your internship?
During my internship, I worked on a variety of projects assigned by my mentor, Constance White, the Clerk of Pierce County Superior Court. The main project I assisted with was the development of a Domestic Violence Court Navigator Program, which aims to promote efficiency within the courtroom and increase access to justice for self-represented litigants. For the project, I assessed gaps in the Clerk’s Office resource communication through community member interviews, data collection, and courtroom observation. I used the principles of human-centered design to create resources for DV petitioners, such as a flow chart to aid protection order petitioners, a booklet for kids to learn about the courthouse, and a poster of legal definitions.

How does the internship connect to your major and/or educational goals?
Currently, I’m studying to take the LSAT and starting the law school application process. The hands-on opportunities and experience in the courthouse this internship provided me clarified my passion for the field of public service law.

What were the big things you learned during this internship?
This experience deepened my understanding of the legal system and public service, while strengthening my skills in research, program development, and advocacy. Firsthand, I learned the importance of assessing community members’ needs when designing a service program and the power of collaboration in justice-centered work.

What was the most meaningful part of your experience?
There were so many rewarding aspects of this internship! It was incredible to be a member of a cohort of Pierce County interns who were all working to make positive change through different sectors of the county. It was fulfilling to work towards a goal that has a real impact on people’s lives and situations. Also, at the end of the summer, the cohort of interns had the opportunity to present our work to the Pierce County Council in their chambers!

Why do you think interning is valuable?
Internships allow students to explore career paths, gain practical experience, and develop professional skills during a short, impactful period of time. They provide such a valuable learning experience and can help clarify career goals, while providing students with connections and mentors for future experiences. The outstanding mentorship of Constance White and Kasey Loete helped me to grow as a public servant and person, and I am grateful to be continuing my work on the Navigator Program for my GSRS senior capstone.

What do you love about PLU?
I love PLU’s emphasis on service and community. Together, these values have allowed me to pursue meaningful work and meet amazing, driven people. At PLU, I feel that I have made the most of my college experience.