Even for a liberal arts student, Lyvia Yan’s interests are wide. The rising junior is a philosophy major, a visual studies and Spanish double minor, and this summer she is exploring economic consulting as a research assistant for Econsult Solutions Inc (ESI). ESI is an economic and analytical consulting firm that works with businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations across many industries, including real estate, transportation, and neighborhood development. 

Yan’s internship is sponsored by the CCPA’s Whitehead Internship Fund, which has sponsored more than 370 students’ summer work in finance, business, and entrepreneurship since 1992. . Her day-to-day work has varied, from inputting data to writing reports and proofreading analyses, but one of longer-term projects has been writing a literature review on walking trails as part of ESI’s work documenting the value of trails and open space on economic development and regional competitiveness.

Yan was especially drawn to an internship with ESI because of their sense of community and positive culture, which she says has more than met her expectations. In her first weeks, she has been welcomed by colleagues from analysts to senior directors alike as she worked remotely. She is excited to meet some of her coworkers in person later this summer. 

“The location is right in Center City, two blocks away from City Hall, and surrounded by restaurants, stores, and other workplaces,” she said. “I’m currently working from home, but hope to make a trip into the city and explore the area!”

In addition to building her experience and skills for a future career, Yan hopes that her work this summer will inform her work with the Students' Council. In particular, she hopes to take ideas and inspiration from her research with ESI to build sustainable, positive relationships between Haverford College and surrounding communities.

“For instance, I would like to encourage student groups and organizations to be selective about who they invite to lead events and where they receive their resources,” she said. “I would also like to focus on bolstering the regional economy, by encouraging individual students who have the financial means to support local businesses, especially as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Summer Centered” is a series exploring our students’ campus-supported summer work.