Internship

A Wider Circle

Where are you from? Why did you choose JMU?

I am from Williamsburg, Virginia. Throughout high school, I always heard of JMU as a good school, especially if I wanted to pursue Political Science. That said, I was still on the fence about which school to commit to. It wasn’t until spring break of my senior year, when I toured JMU, that I immediately fell in love with the school and its community, and I committed right then and there.

Why did you decide to participate in Washington Semester?

During my first semester here at JMU, Dr. Jones came to visit one of my theory classes to talk about The Washington Semester and how it contributes to pursuing professional careers in the field. As soon as I left that class, I did more research on the program and decided that I needed to be a part of it. As you progress through your undergraduate career, you begin to realize the importance of professional experience and networking in the workforce and the Washington Semester brilliantly introduces you to these most crucial aspects of entering the professional realm.

What were the highlights of your internship?

I interned at a non-profit organization primarily servicing people in extremely impoverished situations. Every day I would work with these clients directly and see, in real-time, the positive impact our services would have on their lives. Aside from that, I also gained a large amount of experience in the more administrative side of not only non-profits but the professional workforce as a whole.

What advice would you offer to future Washington Semester students?

My advice would be to truly make the most out of this opportunity even if it is with an internship that may not be close to your first choice – because trust me, even though a non-profit was not mine, it was the single best experience of my life thus far. Always ask to do more at your internship, take advantage of opportunities outside of the office with your team if possible, and build those connections.

What are your long-term career plans?

The philosophy I hold for myself, as cliché as it may seem, is this: If you find yourself in a position to make a positive impact in the world, it is imperative that you seize every opportunity to do so. Currently, I plan to practice either constitutional or administrative law and essentially use it as a stepping-stone to government and politics.