Rachael Hughen

“One of my primary responsibilities this summer was photo editing. I quickly became acquainted with light, color, composition, and pressing the “auto adjust” button on the photo editor and taking credit for it. I also edited fellow’s videos from the field, using complex video software by pressing all the buttons and panicking until it turned out moderately well. My favorite and most stressful job was monitoring the security situation in all of the countries our peace fellows are working in. For someone who is usually 30 minutes late to work, I am still not sure why I was entrusted with the responsibility of this task. Either way, it was interesting and fun to try and translate headlines in broken English from Ugandan news apps. I am most well-known for refusing to write subject lines in my emails, leaving to run midday and returning unbearably sweaty (sincere apology to those who had to sit close to me), and getting into strange situations on the metro. All in all, this is the best job I’ve ever had.

I have always wanted to work for a human rights based NGO, but did not think I would get the chance so early in my college career. Working at The Advocacy Project was a great reaffirmation that I want to work in the fields of international affairs, conflict resolution, and human rights for the rest of my life. It is a small staff and office, but everyone I have worked with here is so dedicated to the projects, causes, and human impact of our work that you would never know it was run by only nine people. I have loved being able to communicate with the Peace Fellows in the field, assist them, and see the direct and positive impact on communities abroad.”