Spring 2014
Year: ILR '15
Cornell Activities/Groups/Affiliations/Leadership Roles:
- Writing Tutor at the Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines
- Human Resources Manager, 132nd Editorial Board of the Cornell Daily Sun
- Research Intern, International Labor Organization (ILO) during fall 2013
Precarious Worker and Citizenship in China
Describe your research project I am researching with Professor Friedman on internal Chinese migrants' access to public education in Beijing, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. Specifically, I am researching on whether the application requirements and processes for migrants are consistent among the three cities and between their respective local governments and education institutions.
What have you gotten out of the experience so far? The research project is definitely one of my favorite and more enriching components of this semester. It allowed me to combine the analytical skills I gained from the ILO last semester with my ILR knowledge of the precarious workforce. And most importantly, it became a simple and direct "reality check" to realize how privileged we are to be able to do research on these pressing labor issues while others less fortunate are living through these current conditions.
What kind of student might be interested in a research fellowship at the Worker Institute? Students who wish to apply their academic knowledge to determine, understand, and solve current labor issues. The Worker Institute gives students the opportunity to participate in the traditional, active, and innovative aspects of research. It becomes the umbrella institute for students who are interested in not only researching for a particular initiative, but also learning abut the other interconnected initiatives.