Have you ever heard the professional advice, “Don’t mix business with family?” In most cases, that’s usually sound insight: there are plenty of reasons to avoid combining your social life with your professional life. Though knowing people in your place of work can be a double-edged sword: gaining traction in your professional world takes just as much connection as it does skill and experience. So, how do you balance keeping your professional life and personal life separate while still maintaining connections in your field? It can definitely be a tricky line to walk, but Asian Student Achievement’s two sibling duos have certainly found that balance.

ASA currently has two sets of siblings enrolled in its internship program: Julianne and Christy Sun, and Zach and Ava Anota. These four interns have become so devoted to ASA’s work that they’ve adopted it into a family effort, sharing it with one another to expand the experience and deepen their connections. When asked why they decided to share the internship opportunity with their siblings, each one had a similar answer: to help them grow and learn. 

Julianne Sun has been with Asian Student Achievement since March 2025. She initially started as a content writing intern, but has moved to event prep and planning ASA’s upcoming “Nickel Nickel Fundraiser” on April 04, 2026. She encouraged her sister, Christy, to apply for a User Experience (UX) internship position with ASA, and the two have shared nothing but positive experiences about working alongside each other.

“Julianne told me about all the different things that ASA promotes,” Christy said, regarding how her sister first approached her with the internship opportunity. “Its values are something that I care about and am passionate about.”

For Julianne, it was important to her that Christy not only develop her UX and nonprofit experience with ASA, but that the organization also benefit from the unique skills she had to offer. 

“Christy is a pretty talented UX designer, and I thought — at least in the time I’ve been here — ASA hasn’t had a huge staff in that skill set, and with her individual skills, ASA could use a lot of that sort of thing.”

Even though Christy and Julianne don’t typically work directly side-by-side in ASA, the organization has still grown to become a part of their relationship; they openly share their current projects with one another, and are currently collaborating on publicizing the Elizabeth Lorraine Skoien internship. They’ve both found a passion in Asian Student Achievement’s mission, and are proud that it’s something they can share together.

The same can be said for our other ASA sibling duo: content writer Zach Anota joined ASA back in October, and his sister followed shortly in his footsteps. ASA’s sole operations intern, Ava, joined our team at both her brother’s and mother’s encouragement. While Ava is still rather new to Asian Student Achievement, she has nothing but high praise for her experience. 

“It’s just been a great experience so far; even though I don’t talk to a lot of people, I still feel a connection with others. It’s such a close environment. I don’t like environments that are separated in a way. I’m really happy I applied, because I’ve learned so many things.”

Zach, meanwhile, has been nothing short of excited to be able to share the ASA experience with his sister. Even though their mom gave her the push to join, Zach’s experience, as well as his desire to have something to share with her, is ultimately what led Ava to the ASA team. 

“I wanted to have something to do with my sister,” Zach explained. “I don’t really get to see her that often, and we went to two different high schools, so I didn’t really have her a lot in my personal or school life. I thought I could do something with her, especially since this is a career-advancing opportunity, and it’s something we can both do.”

The Suns and Anotas are a prime example of what makes Asian Student Achievement so unique for those who find their way here: it’s an opportunity meant to be shared with others. Zach and Julianne were both so committed to their work with ASA that they saw the potential their sisters could do.

When asked what about Asian Student Achievement made her want to involve her sister, Julianne emphasized the opportunity for growth and professional development.

“I think the ASA internship is very friendly to college-age students: the combination of it being remote and having a lot of opportunities for career support and advice, through both staff and the coaching program. I think it’s a good opportunity for students who don’t have a lot of time to give but need professional growth.”

Zach felt similarly on Ava’s recruitment: “It feels good, knowing that I’m sharing this with my sister. I think it’s a great opportunity for her in general; I think the opportunities that ASA offers its interns are great. The work we’re doing is fulfilling, and I enjoy knowing that this is something we’re both working towards.”

Regardless of how or why these sibling units went into ASA together—whether their mom encouraged them, they wanted professional growth, or they wanted something to share with each other—the same key component can be seen in the experiences of the Anota siblings and the Sun sisters: a passion for the mission. The Asian Student Achievement team might be a small one, but it has people like the Anotas and the Suns who have made the organization a part of their family dynamic, something that is hard to find elsewhere. There is always space for young professionals seeking to advance their career in the nonprofit, or merely be a part of a movement that matters to them. If you have the experience or the enthusiasm to share, there just might be a place for you right beside the Anotas and the Suns.