UT Senior Helps Victims of Sex Trafficking

Criminology and criminal justice major Marlee Mason ’23 knew she wanted an internship for the hands-on experience, and she was intrigued by a Sarasota-based organization, Selah Freedom, that presented in her Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation class. Selah Freedom works to end sex trafficking through awareness, prevention, outreach, and residential and organization consulting.

Mason reached out and applied to the organization, landing the role of operations intern. Hear from Mason, a New Castle, DE, native about her decision to choose UT, her role with Selah Freedom and tips for students looking to land an internship of their own.
Marlee Mason ’23 is interning this fall with Sarasota-based organization Selah Freedom. Photo by Andrew McDougall ’23

Why did you want to be involved with this organization in particular?

When I first heard about Selah Freedom, I was moved by their mission of ending sex trafficking and bringing freedom to the exploited. Selah Freedom stands behind a strong set of core values: ownership, collaboration, gratitude, communication and balance. These values have been woven into the framework of this organization and are felt by both the staff members of Selah and the survivors of sex trafficking who enter into Selah. Working in the residential program, I am able to work one-on-one with our survivor residents which allows me to see first-hand the amazing impacts Selah has on the survivors of the program. The individuals who enter into Selah’s programs are freed from exploitation and are set on a path to success where they lead a life they choose for themselves. It is so fulfilling to be a witness to the growth and development of the survivors we serve at Selah. Starting with my interview, it was evident to me how supportive this organization is; not only for the survivors it serves, but the staff as well. I knew right away this organization was something I wanted to be a part of as it empowers each person connected to Selah to grow and become the best versions of themselves.

Tell me about your role with Selah Freedom and how you got involved with the organization.

I work under the operations coordinator and assist in the day-to-day nonprofit operations. My responsibilities include maintenance support for residential properties, assistance in the creation, obtainment and organized filing of vendor contract agreements, policies, procedures, manuals and all other forms of documentation in respect to the operations department. In addition to the operations aspect of my role, I also participate in weekly resident check-ins, case management sessions and staff meetings that pertain to the campus and its residents.

For my role, I work two days a week in person and two days a week remotely.

How do you think your experience with Selah Freedom will get you to the next step in your career?

Selah Freedom has not only helped in my professional growth and development but my personal growth and development as well. Through this internship experience, my knowledge has grown in the area of trauma-informed care, what applications to employ when interacting with survivors and the overall inner workings of a nonprofit organization. I have been provided with extensive training to utilize when working in this role and in future roles with relation to victim services.

Throughout my time with Selah, both my self-awareness and social awareness have grown immensely. These are both important attributes to have when working directly with victims. Furthermore, when working in the field of victim services, it is essential to employ self-care strategies in order to provide the best care to the survivors you are serving. Selah has taught me the importance of a work-life balance that I will carry into each next step of my future career. Overall, Selah Freedom has provided me with the proper training, knowledge and networking connections to advance further in the field of victim services.

What specific advice would you give to students who want to obtain a similar internship or pursue the same field?

Go after every opportunity made available to you, even if it scares you. A student’s biggest growth period is when they are put in situations that are initially uncomfortable to them. Connect with your professors and take every opportunity to connect with individuals who are working in the careers and fields that interest you. Building a strong network that you can learn from and grow with is what will help you to succeed in your post-graduate future.

Specifically speaking, to secure my internship I remained in contact with professors who I knew would have contacts in my areas of interest. I also contacted the department’s internship coordinator who provided me with all of the necessary information regarding how to locate and contact possible internships. I found that one of the best ways to find an internship that fits you is to talk with your peers who already have, or are currently completing an internship. Gathering various accounts of my peers’ experiences helped me to navigate the process of searching for and securing an internship, as I was able to keep their advice in mind.

What would you like to do with your career after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to initially enter into a career in victim advocacy. Academically speaking, I plan to go to graduate school and obtain a master’s degree in mental health counseling. All in all, I am currently exploring all opportunities within the victim services and mental health field. I plan to remain open-minded and curious as I move forward in my future career.

Why UT?

Since my sophomore year of high school, UT was always my first-choice school. I chose UT for the University’s location and accessibility to networking opportunities in Tampa, its intimate class sizes, and the courses and opportunities offered through the criminology department.

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