Reviews
Real stories from real participants, parents and university partners who share their experiences as well as their advice. Learn more about the benefits Connect-123 interns and volunteers receive on our programs around the world!
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Isabelle Z
This internship has been a great opportunity to learn real work experience as well as learning more about the career field I'm interested in.
Sonia B
I had a great experience as a virtual intern, and experienced a great deal of support and guidance from both the supervisor of the nonprofit I interned for and from Connect-123. My internship provided me with many new skills in copywriting and editing that I wouldn't have gained otherwise. I am happy I was able to work with Connect-123, and am glad to have had an opportunity to work with a wonderful nonprofit!
Carol Li
My time with Connect-123 was definitely unique and memorable. It required me to adapt quickly and rely on my own initiative, which was a major part of my learning process. I’ve learned that I should always be prepared to navigate a lot of independence. I encountered situations that challenged me and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. It’s an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Christine N
During my internship I contributed to an international project focused on autism screening and community research priorities. My work involved systematically screening studies, reviewing inclusion/exclusion criteria, and extracting detailed data into shared spreadsheets. I gained experience in critically reading abstracts and full texts, interpreting methodologies, and paying close attention to performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values. Beyond technical skills, this internship gave me a deeper appreciation for the nuances of autism research — especially the importance of ethical considerations, community involvement, and shifting away from overly medicalized models of disability. I learned how to apply exclusion codes consistently, collaborate with peers across time zones, and manage large datasets precisely. This experience strengthened my research skills and my ability to reflect on the broader impact of scientific work. It challenged me to think critically about equity in autism research, including representation across countries, age ranges, and support needs. I now feel much more confident navigating scientific literature and contributing to conversations around research priorities. Overall, my internship was both practical and meaningful. It reinforced my academic interests in neurobiology and psychology while developing transferable organizational skills, critical analysis, and teamwork skills. I am grateful for the experience and for the opportunity to contribute to research that has real-world impact.
Shiran L
I really enjoyed this experience. This experience not only enriched my academic accumulation but also gave me new thoughts on my future career path.
Michelle T
I got matched with a company relevant to my interests and worked with some amazing people. In my internship I created lead magnets and developed an operations manual/cultural handbook for a film production company. The skills I developed most while interning have been communication, adaptability, and time-management. Xena showed a genuine understanding of my goals and challenges. She was always responsive and open to addressing any questions. Her willingness to help made me feel heard and supported throughout the Connect-123 internship program.
Atharva K
My experience with Connect-123 has been nothing short of exceptional! They did an amazing job matching me with the perfect organization and internship that aligns perfectly with my skills and field of interest. This was my first time working remotely, and Connect-123 made the entire process seamless, enjoyable, and rewarding. I felt supported every step of the way, and the opportunity to work remotely was an unforgettable experience. A big thank you to Connect-123 for making it all possible—I am absolutely thrilled and give them a well-deserved 5 stars!
Carol L
Connect-123 was super helpful in preparing me for my internship and putting me in touch with my supervisor. The organization and role matched exactly what I was looking for, and I really enjoyed the experience. Interning here for the past two months has been a great learning experience!
Haotian Z
This is a perfect experience. It's my first time working in a real world working environment. I've learnt a lot that can't be in courses and I believe this experience will give me more confidence and competence in finding my next internship and my first job.
Eavee T
My internship was one of those rare experiences where I walked away feeling like I grew both professionally and personally. I learned how to take on real projects, navigate challenges, and see how the skills I’ve been studying actually come to life in a work setting. There were plenty of moments where I felt stretched, but that’s exactly what made the experience so valuable; I left with new confidence and clarity about where I want to head next. And of course, I have to give a little shout-out to Xena Pulliam from Connect-123. She played a big role in helping me get matched to the right place and was always supportive throughout the process. She made sure I didn’t just land “an internship,” but the right internship, one that fit me well and pushed me in all the right ways. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I came in as an intern eager to learn, and I left feeling like I actually made an impact. Plus, I have a few funny stories and memories along the way that I know I’ll be telling for a long time. Thank you for the opportunity to grow, and I’ll make sure I’ll nurture it into something special.
Dre H
My experience with Connect-123 has been nothing short of transformative. From the very beginning, they took the time to understand my goals, strengths, and interests, and then matched me with an internship that aligned perfectly with my career path. The process was seamless, and I felt supported every step of the way. Thanks to Connect-123, I was able to secure an internship that not only gave me hands-on professional experience but also helped me build lasting connections in my industry. What stood out most was how invested the team was in my success they provided guidance, resources, and encouragement that made all the difference. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity they helped me secure, and I’d highly recommend Connect-123 to anyone looking to take the next step in their career journey.
Victoria L
I am grateful for this experience and opportunity to have a virtual internship. Everyone has been extremely helpful and so supportive during the preparation, which made the transition so much easier.
Zafreen S
I’m incredibly grateful for the support I received from Connect-123 and my supervisors throughout my internship experience. Their guidance made it possible for me to secure an internship quickly, and over the course of eight weeks, I learned an incredible amount—not only through the internship itself, but also through the professional and skill development opportunities they encouraged. Beyond gaining hands-on experience, I developed stronger communication, time management, and problem-solving skills that I will carry forward in my career.
Cynthia S
I have had an amazing time during the virtual internship and have learned a lot of new technical and soft skills. I thought doing an internship virtually would be difficult because of the lack of in-person contact, but the process was smooth, and I got into the rhythm of things very quickly. I ended up really enjoying the remote aspect of the internship because I was able to manage my own schedule.
Arsh K
My internship through Connect-123 provided an incredible opportunity to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful, real-world projects. I developed skills in finance strategy, marketing, outreach, and creative design, working on tasks such as building a professional film deck and connecting with potential donors. The experience strengthened my communication, time management, and project coordination abilities, while giving me valuable insight into my career interests. I am grateful for this opportunity!
Siti N
Finding an internship as an international student is very tough, especially when you don’t really have experience related to your field, but Connect-123 made it possible for me to learn and gain experience. It was overall very enjoyable and I am glad to have underwent such an experience. Now I have gained some understanding about working in a company to some extent and not to mention, there's also many soft skills which I feel like had improved. I am very grateful for the opportunity!
Monica G
Connect-123 exceeded every expectation in helping me secure a transformative remote internship with a Human Rights NGO in Cape Town, South Africa. Thanks to the incredible support of professionals like Xena, I landed my dream role as a Policy, Research, and Advocacy Intern. This experience deepened my passion for international law and public service. The internship not only sharpened my copyediting and research skills, but also clarified my career path in global policy and human rights. Connect-123’s personalized guidance and commitment to meaningful placements truly set them apart. I’m deeply grateful for their role in launching my professional journey.
Caroline T
I am truly so thankful for Connect-123 for helping me find my perfect internship. Both my internships have been through Connect-123 and both were amazing experiences. My program director, Xena Pulliam, has been such a wonderful source of guidance and support throughout this entire process. The company I was initially interviewed by was about an hour late to the interview, and though the deadline for finding a placement was approaching, she didn’t give up on me. She found me the perfect placement at another company and even communicated on my behalf to ensure the work I was given aligned with my goals and interests. Through this experience, I was able to build valuable connections, develop new skills, and gain hands-on experience that has shaped my career path. I’m so grateful to Xena and Connect-123 for making both of my internships not only possible but truly meaningful.
Aston G
My time at this internship has been an incredibly valuable experience. I was initially very nervous to commit, even during the interview. However, I had nothing to worry about since, looking back, I was able to choose the internship field based on my interests and career. They help you along the whole process and answering your questions is just an email away. My experience at my internship organization was your usual spreadsheet task and helping with whatever the team needed. Due to the remote nature, there is only so much you can do to help; they do have in-person ones also! Each organization is different, and depending on the organization, it can affect your experience. My university also offered credits (usually an online class) and covered any costs of the internship as part of the program. I recommend it to any student because not only do you get credit, but you also have the freedom to do other summer activities; the best of both worlds. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to advance my career path, help out a genuine and impactful organization, and learn what real-world work looks like.
Alison C
Having graduated from college during the pandemic I was not sure how to go about the next steps of my career. I came across Connect-123 while searching for internships online. The application process is very straightforward, you simply fill out your desired field of study and your desired location. I then had a phone call with Carla who filled me in on the internship process and how it works. She asked me about my preferences and objectives for the internship and within only a few weeks she was able to match me with an organisation. Although my internship was remote, I was in frequent communication with the organisation, so I never felt disconnected. Connect-123 also provided tips on how to stay connected and get the most out of the internship. Carla also checked in on me during the internship and reassured me that should I require any assistance she would be there to help. The internship itself was very rewarding I got to experience working in my chosen field of interest. I was assigned tasks and got to conduct research for the company. I practiced soft skills of long- distance communication, time management, and meeting deadlines. I learned technical skills such as using Google Docs, creating designs, and writing copy for the company. The people I worked with were so welcoming and provided feedback along the way and were appreciative of my contributions. Overall Connect-123 is a wonderful resource for not only securing an internship but also providing support along the way. Taking the next steps in your professional journey can be daunting but simply knowing Connect-123 is there to support you makes it much easier. I would highly recommend anyone considering an internship to apply through Connect-123.
