Extern for ECPAT-USA

via MBS Externship Exchange

The MBS Externship Program

The Project

During my time in the Rutgers Externship Exchange program, I had the opportunity to work with ECPAT USA, an organization dedicated to ending child trafficking and exploitation. This three month long experience allowed me to dive into real-world projects that focused on user testing, website enhancements, and accessibility testing.

Throughout the program, I worked closely with a team of professionals and faculty advisors, who helped me apply various tools and methodologies related to UX Design. I also gained valuable soft skills such as time management, communication, and leadership.

I had the opportunity to contribute to the Routes to End Child Trafficking Collaborative, a project aimed at raising awareness and training public transportation leaders, operators, and riders to recognize and report human trafficking of minors.

My team added valuable data, such as human trafficking indicators for Albany, NY, and Albuquerque, NM, to ECPAT’s research-sharing WordPress website. We also developed features like a “Find Your City” tool and a partner log-in for registration.

Additionally, we ran accessibility tests and usability evaluations to ensure the site met inclusivity standards and refined the design based on user feedback. Contributing to such an important cause was incredibly impactful—it reinforced my passion for creating meaningful, user-centered design that drives positive change.

Key Contributions

Partner Registration & Access –

I created a "Become a Partner" form where users can request access to research. When someone submits a request, admins get a notification and can approve or deny it. Once approved, partners receive an email and can log in to view exclusive content

Content Control –

I set up a system to restrict access to certain pages, ensuring only approved partners could see research materials. Once logged in, they’re automatically redirected to the "Research Presentations" tab for easy navigation.

Admin & Communication Features –

I built a Contact Form that sends submissions directly to the admin’s email, allowing them to reply right from their inbox, making communication smoother and more efficient.

Making the Site Inclusive –

I led accessibility testing using Axe DevTools and NVDA to ensure the website met WCAG standards, making it usable for everyone, including those with disabilities. We prioritized maintaining consistent color contrast, proper heading hierarchy, accessible name links, and clear landmarks. This helped create a more inclusive and accessible experience.

Refining the User Experience –

I conducted usability testing through Optimal Workshop to identify pain points and gather feedback. This allowed us to fine-tune the website before launch, improving navigation and overall user satisfaction.

Takeaways

My externship with ECPAT USA was an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of UX design in a real-world setting. Through this project, I gained valuable technical skills in WordPress development, accessibility testing, and usability testing, while also strengthening my ability to work in a collaborative, cross-functional team.

One of the biggest lessons I took away was the importance of user-centered design in mission-driven work. Ensuring that our website was both informative and accessible reinforced how critical it is to create digital experiences that serve diverse audiences. Additionally, leading accessibility testing helped me recognize the significance of inclusive design standards and how small improvements can make a big impact.

Beyond technical skills, this experience also helped me improve my problem-solving, communication, and project management abilities. Balancing different priorities, gathering stakeholder input, and iterating on designs based on user feedback taught me how to navigate complex projects effectively.

Overall, this externship reaffirmed my passion for human-centered design and social impact work. Moving forward, I’m excited to apply these skills in future UX projects and continue creating designs that are both functional and meaningful.