Hometown: Sheridan, WY

Major: Political Science

Minor: Creative Writing

Internship Placement: The Office of the Attorney General for DC and the Bipartisan Policy Center

 

Why did you decide to do Michigan in Washington?

When I discovered the MIW Program during my freshman year of college, I immediately knew it was something I wanted to do. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be in the center of the political world, living in DC, and working at an internship of your choice. I’ve always wanted to work in DC, and MIW provided me with the perfect opportunity to do so. 

What do you do during a typical day at your internship?

Most of my days at the DC Office of the Attorney are spent watching body-worn camera footage, summarizing evidence, and my favorite part, getting to watch trials at the nearest courthouse. On the other hand, my time at the Bipartisan Policy Center is spent researching donors, entering data, and attending team meetings. People often ask me which internship is my favorite, but I honestly love them both because they allow me to use and improve upon very different skill sets. 

What's something that you're proud of that you've done at your internship so far?

One thing I’m proud of doing so far is creating graphics for a presentation at the Bipartisan Policy Center. I’ve always been super creative and once had an interest in pursuing graphic design, so it was a nice surprise getting to explore that aspect of my skill set at my internship. 

How has your skillset evolved or changed since you began working on this internship?

I’ve been able to enhance my research skills in a way that is applicable in the real world which can be different from academic research at times. I’ve also improved my organizational skills, taking notes in a way that ensures they’re easier and quicker to read than if I had just jotted them down on a document. 

What is one fun activity that you have done since being in D.C.?

While in DC, my MIW cohort all got together to go to an Italian restaurant called Angolo’s. It was really nice getting to relax with everyone and just talk in an environment that didn’t include classes or internships. The food was also fantastic, and all of us have already agreed to do another group dinner in March. It’s great to have such a great community when leaving campus, and I’m looking forward to the next time we all get together. 

What advice would you give to a student interested in Michigan in Washington?

I would tell them not to be discouraged by the internship search process. DC is such a competitive place for internship opportunities and most companies won’t even send you a condolence email if they decide not to interview you. It can be nerve-wracking not knowing when or if you’ll hear back from somewhere, but it all ends up alright in the long run. I didn’t have an internship offer until mid-December, and I spent so much time worrying that I wished I had spent on so many other things since it all turned out fine anyway.