Real world experiences

This past summer I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work as a legislative intern for State Senator Jo Ann Spraque in the Massachusetts State House. Having the chance to be in the State House environment with so many intelligent, motivated, dedicated individuals has left a definite impression on me. I was thrilled to be able to meet various state officials, as well as to work with the members of Senator Spraque's staff.

Aside from working on press releases, helping with constituent correspondence, and running a range of different errands, I attended the Intern Summer Seminar Series. We listened to lectures given by a diverse selection of politically connected speakers, including a lobbyist, the House of Republican Minority Leader, and even the Governor.

The thing was most surprising to me is the mean age of the State House staffers. Some of the Chiefs of Staff are as young as twenty-five. I find it encouraging that the backbone of our state government is made up of young adults, often fresh from college, because they have a contagious sense of excitement and ambition. No matter what type of problem a constituent had, the staff always took the time to address it; furthermore, the staffers considered the concerns of every constituent they came in contact with.

Upon entering college, I plan to major in Government, and I aspire to attend Law School. Once I enter the world of law and gain some valuable life experience, I would love to step into the political arena, whether it be at the state or national level. I was excited when I learned of my internship, because it allowed me to get a glimpse of what the political process entails. For the first time, I have some idea of what it is really like to hold a public office, the importance of trustworthy staff, and how much work is involved in ensuring that our government functions on a day-to-day basis. My experience as an intern has taught me so much more than I ever could have learned in a classroom course, and I cannot wait until next summer, when I will return to the State House as an intern.