Flying High With Orange County’s Diverse Community
By: Evan Tom
As I was beginning my search for a summer internship in Orange County, a viral TikTok video on the East Coast caught my attention.
Sophia Celentano, a student at the University of Virginia, drew controversy for her video of her flying approximately 600 miles each way from her home in South Carolina to her internship in New Jersey.
While viewers expressed confusion about the logistics of her commute — myself included — she was quick to explain how it makes sense when factoring in the cost of living in New Jersey. After seeing this, I began thinking about the lengths people are willing to go to for valuable internship experience.
As we both are likely wrapping up our internships and returning back to campus in the coming days on the East Coast, I can’t help but reflect upon my own internship journey that wasn’t characterized by an outrageous commute like Celentano’s. However, my experience was transformative in its own right, utilizing the communication skills I picked up at Emerson College in Boston to serve the community that shaped me into who I am today.
Switching Tracks
I made the leap from a part-time remote PR internship for an award-winning agency based in New York City with clients in the urban music industry to working full-time at OCTA as a diversity outreach intern. I found myself immersed in a completely different world. Gone were the celebrity DJs — replaced with diverse families learning about how to access public transportation.
Stepping into my role at OCTA, I immediately recognized the potential in the emerging work of diversity outreach and community relations. As I engaged with diverse communities in Orange County, I spread awareness on our bus system, freeway projects, paratransit services and active transportation to keep residents moving — giving families numerous ways to get to work, school, appointments and other important destinations.
Diverse Interactions with OCTA
Some of my earliest involvements centered around participating in community events — CalOptima Resource Fair in Anaheim, OC Pride in downtown Santa Ana and the Juneteenth Festival at Centennial Park in Santa Ana — with traditionally underserved community members. From handing out resources to hearing feedback from community members, I began to learn more about fostering genuine connections and understanding with the public. During my summer, my team and I engaged with approximately 20,000 people at 36 business and community events.
I was even able to attend large business events such as BizCon with the Asian Business Association and the Vietnamese Business Forum where I discussed OCTA business opportunities with small and diverse business owners. During the duration of my summer internship, I assisted and attended 23 community and business events that reached a whopping 20,000 people. Many of which included elected officials, OCTA board members and business and community leaders I interacted with. I found myself at the crossroads of many interactions with influential community figures that forged meaningful connections and collaborations.
Empowering Through Communication and Design
However, my role at OCTA went beyond just attending events. Much to my surprise, I began contributing to many more projects such as OCTA’s On the Move blog and newsletters to our Diverse Community Leaders group where I got to sharpen my written communication skills. Going to events was one thing, yet it was through writing that I was able to fully communicate the impact my team leaves on the community in which we serve.
Lastly, I was given many opportunities to explore the intersection of my love for communication and design. The art of creating infographics, flyers and ads merged seamlessly with my role as I transformed information into captivating visuals that conveyed important messages at just a glance.
I quickly learned that these materials were not just for aesthetics, they were tools used to empower audiences with vital information on OCTA resources, projects, programs and opportunities. I also learned that they can be used for engagement, often designing materials such as photo frames and props for events that captivate participants and create meaningful experiences.
Saying Goodbye to an Unforgettable Summer
When entering this season, I was not envisioning a role at OCTA. To me then, OCTA was merely the “bus company.” Now, I understand how public transportation is a pillar in the community. Projects and programs such as OC Bus, OC Streetcar, OC ACCESS and freeway improvement projects are highly influential to everyday life and keep Orange County moving. With a fourth-generation Chinese father and a mother who immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala, I am an example of the diversity that makes Orange County so unique and vibrant.
Although I am sad to be moving on from this internship, I will be leaving with newfound skills, a widened perspective and an unwavering commitment to community — excited to utilize the skills I gained here in my next personal and professional endeavors. The unforgettable experience I had serving Orange County’s vibrant and culturally rich community allowed me to see the world this summer without having to fly anywhere.
About the author
Secretary
Evan Tom (He/Him), Sophomore, Public Relations Major
