Internship
Lachman Consulting

Where are you from?  Why did you choose JMU?
I grew up most of my life in Reading, Pennsylvania. I was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia. A fun fact is that I was born in the Student Success Center back when it was hospital! I always wanted to feel more at home in Harrisonburg since most of my family reside in Harrisonburg. I was looking at a lot of schools in different states, but JMU provided each thing I wanted. The community at JMU is one that I didn't see in any of the other schools I looked at.

Why did you decide to participate in Washington Semester?
I remember jotting down the Washington Semester as a goal of mine in my first Political Science class when it was brought up. I knew this opportunity would open doors for me and help me begin a career in my major. As I narrowed my interests and added a minor, the program was one that would help both of my potential future career paths. I also wanted to network and meet all sorts of people with similar interests and goals as myself.

What were the highlights of your internship?
The highlight of my internship was being able to work on projects and workshops that allowed me to see the real-world relationship between the nonprofit level and the governance level. I was able to be a part of that process and realize that there is so much internal work that is done before social change organizations can operate with assistance from government. I was able to experience the challenges of that dynamic and see first-hand how they can be resolved through my internship work.

How did you adjust to the impact of COVID-19 on your Washington experience?
At the start, it was rough. I thought networking and building communities were completely out the window. I soon realized that even if the program were in person, I would have to initiate the conversations at times. So, I did. When we had speakers during our virtual classes, I made the initiative to speak outside of class hours with individuals I felt would expand my network in fields I wanted to work in. I had a conversation with a former Washington Semester participant that lasted an hour, and it was very beneficial. I also reached out to my peers in the program. I tried to attend the social events we put on so I could get to know my colleagues better.

What advice would you offer to future Washington Semester students?
My advice is to still take advantage of the opportunities, virtual or not, and always give assignments and tasks 100 percent. Everything you do is a small step further to your goal. Get to know your staff and colleagues, even if you run in different circles. Every day you have a chance to make a lasting impact on someone. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions.

What are your long-term career plans?
I plan on continuing to combine my interests in the nonprofit and governance sectors. I am looking to attend law school and work in immigration law.