WCC Internship Experience
Sarah Ong Wen Hui
LLB (Bachelors of Law), University of London, UK
November 2025
Interning at the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) for one and a half months was an eye-opening experience that helped me understand how law and social work intersect in addressing real issues within the community. As a law graduate waiting for my final exam results, I wanted to use my time meaningfully by learning from an organisation whose work reflects my interests in legal advocacy and social justice.
During my internship, I was involved in several outreach programmes including OK Tak OK and mental health. These activities gave me the chance to engage with the public and understand the different forms of challenges faced by women and children. I also helped prepare presentation slides for training sessions, which required me to research and familiarise myself to family and Syariah laws more deeply.
I also had the opportunity to attend a training workshop in Kedah that focused on improving the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases. This training broadened my understanding of the gaps and complexities within the criminal justice system, especially when working with vulnerable victims. It highlighted the importance of sensitivity, coordination, and proper procedures, showing that law must operate alongside social awareness and support frameworks.
Observing WCC’s case-sharing sessions was particularly impactful, as listening to the team discuss real cases provided a clearer picture of the complex social issues present in our communities and the emotional resilience required to address them. Another meaningful aspect of my internship was creating social media content for WCC Value Shop, which allowed me to learn new skills and strengthen my communication abilities.
Through these experiences and by learning from the staff, I gained deeper insights into the challenges faced by social workers, especially given the limitations posed by the current Social Work Profession Bill. My time at WCC helped me grow both mentally and professionally, shaping the way I view law, empathy, and community engagement. It was an experience that reinforced my interest in pursuing work that supports and uplifts the community, and it also allowed me to better appreciate the dedication required in this field. It further highlighted how the law must continue evolving to protect and empower those who are most vulnerable.
Syaza Munawir
Psychology, International Islamic University Malaysia
October 2025
Interning at WCC was a golden opportunity which I am grateful for as I have learned many things in the span of one month. Among the many things I learned are how an NGO works and even though people are assigned with different tasks, all of the staff are still committed to helping one another to ease each other’s workload. Interning at an all-women office proved to me that once again women are great leaders. Everyone was welcoming from my first day until the end. They guided me throughout my entire internship, never making me feel left behind.
Working here has also allowed me to take a glimpse of how exhausting yet rewarding social work is. Everyone here is committed to helping their clients and ensuring they get the best possible outcomes. Constant effective communication and cooperation make it easier for everyone to complete their tasks with ease. They also treat me with respect and are always patient as well as understanding when I ask a question or make a mistake. I have gained many new friends and mentors whom I now look up to.
Also, WCC’s passion for sustainability reminds me to always do my best in taking care of the environment as they have a thrift shop at Island 88. They are simultaneously saving the environment while giving back to society. Working there has increased my level of respect for retail workers and also the volunteers who take time out of their day to help WCC. I have never had any regrets working at WCC and I will continue to appreciate all the hard work they have put into giving back to society.
Overall, everyone here has been a great role model for me, an aspiring psychology student whose passion is also to help others. They have reminded me that helping those in need will always be rewarding.
Nurhasya Mahadzir
Economics, University of Exeter, UK
September 2025
I already had a good impression of WCC, but being here these past two months gave me the chance to experience first-hand and to see behind the scenes the impressive amount of hard work and dedication that goes into their work.
I am especially grateful for the times I was able to accompany some of the staff members on outreach programmes and training sessions in schools and hospitals. These experiences allowed me to observe community engagement in action while also deepening my own understanding and taking in the important educational messages that were shared. In particular, when recording feedback from participants, I truly felt a sense of reward and impact that WCC has on the surrounding community.
During my internship, WCC celebrated two significant milestones, and I was fortunate to be involved in both. The first was the opening of their brand new WCC Value Shop, where I helped with moving and sorting items, as well as creating promotional content with another fellow intern to help boost the shop’s online presence. The second was the celebration of WCC’s 40th anniversary, where I contributed mainly by preparing the Silent Auction presentation and assisting with other design tasks needed for the event. Both events went smoothly and were wonderful to be part of.
What impressed me most was how much great work WCC accomplishes with such a small team. It really shows the passion each staff member brings to their role, and this shines through in their character. Working alongside them has been a true delight. Even as an intern, I felt very much included and valued.
Reflecting back on my experience, my time here has reaffirmed my belief in how important it is to give back to your community, and that even the smallest effort can go a long way. I really do admire all the meaningful work WCC has been doing, and I hope to see them continue to grow and thrive for many years to come.
Ng Jolynn
LLB (Bachelors of Law), Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland
August 2025
Before the internship, I wondered what WCC does on a daily basis. During the 5-week internship, I learned that WCC puts a great deal of effort into many areas of work, including counselling, accompanying victims to court, training, and outreach. I was surprised by how small the team was, and yet they could manage all these responsibilities. It made me appreciate how well the communication and teamwork within the office must be.
As an intern, my role was to support staff members whenever extra help was needed. This included translation work for video content, assisting volunteers at school programmes, and helping out at WCC Value Shop. Among these tasks, the most significant were filming videos to promote WCC Value Shop and preparing for the organisation’s 40th anniversary dinner.
Although my responsibilities were not closely related to my major, I truly enjoyed my internship at WCC. I learned so many things, especially during case sharing sessions. At times, I felt emotional particularly when the court outcomes were upsetting or when listening to the suffering experienced by the victims.
WCC staff are kind and passionate about their work, and I’m so proud to have been part of the team. I have so many thoughts from witnessing how they care for every woman facing emergencies in their daily lives. I saw how firmly they stand up for the victims and how actively they educate the new generations through outreach programmes.
This internship helped me gain more awareness about social issues and reflect on what I could do in the future to help the community. My role may seem small, but I believe every small effort can create a huge change, just as how WCC has done over the past 40 years. It is moving to see them being committed to fighting for women and children’s rights; and I was touched by every single effort made.
The experience has been meaningful. I would highly recommend others to take part in this special experience at WCC. It was a great honour to be with WCC as they celebrate their 40th anniversary!