South Middlesex Times

For G. Bellon, a 22-year-old Rutgers University-Camden MSW student, transformative experiences were found through two internships offered by the Rutgers Scarlet Service program. These internships placed them with Girls Inc., a nonprofit in Philadelphia, in 2022 and the Washington D.C. office of Rep. Donald Norcross in 2023.

Bellon shared their initial uncertainty about career goals: “I didn’t have any idea of what I really wanted to do with my social work degree." However, their participation in Scarlet Service proved pivotal. “I would 100 percent tell anyone if they could do this program to do it."

Launched by President Jonathan Holloway in 2022, Scarlet Service offers paid internship opportunities to Rutgers sophomores and juniors at various public service organizations or government offices for at least 150 hours during the summer.

Holloway emphasized civic engagement as essential to higher education and noted that Rutgers should lead in public service commitment. The program provides around 150 students annually with internships across New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and since 2023, Washington D.C., where interns also receive free housing.

Applications for the summer of 2025 are open until November 18th. Additionally, Rutgers will host its second annual Service Career Fair on November 18th at the College Avenue Student Center.

Bellon credits Scarlet Service for providing leadership experience and exposure to different aspects of social work: "Scarlet Service gave us the chance to explore D.C. in such an affordable and safe way." This confidence led them back to D.C. for a White House internship.

Initially interested only in direct community work, Bellon's perspective shifted after discussions with Francine Newsome Pfeiffer from government relations at Rutgers. Their time with Congressman Norcross' office was eye-opening regarding policy work's impact.

Pfeiffer remarked on Bellon's Capitol Hill experience: "I am so pleased G. had the opportunity...where challenges can be addressed on a macro level."

During their internship with Norcross' office, Bellon engaged in policy research related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and drafted supportive legislative proposals.

Bellon described how this experience clarified their career path toward policy work: “I was teetering between clinical social work and management and policy before the D.C. experience."

Currently pursuing a master's degree at Rutgers-Camden while engaging in practical work within New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs, Bellon is focused on LGBTQ youth issues among others.

Their future aims involve continued advocacy through policy initiatives shaped significantly by Scarlet Service experiences: “Scarlet Service gave me the knowledge to tell myself, ‘OK! I can do this.’”