Post date:
Pamela Eisner, Master of Public Policy ’19
Sykesville, Maryland
Where I interned: The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
What I did there: The Consumer Voice is a nonprofit that does advocacy and policy work relating to elder policy. Specifically, they focus on issues relating to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. My duties included policy and legislative research; drafting and contributing to weekly, monthly, and seasonal newsletters; and data management. I researched and worked on policy issues including but not limited to surveillance cameras in nursing homes, the prevalence of critical incidents in assisted living facilities, and opioids in nursing homes. My internship culminated with a white paper on the use of opioids in nursing homes.
The most important thing I learned: To be open to new opportunities and experiences. One of my favorite experiences was attending a screening of the documentary CARE and hearing Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) speak about the policy ideas she is trying to introduce to remedy the current shortage of careworkers. This is an event I was initially a little bit hesitant to attend, but I took the opportunity, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my internship.
The most challenging part of my internship: I wish I had a little bit more policy experience and knowledge of this particular policy area before I started. Right now I am taking Policy Methods with Professor Joya Misra, and that class would have been very helpful. I am looking forward to using the new skills and knowledge I have gained in Policy Methods in my future career.
What surprised me the most: Working for a nonprofit that was consumer focused, I was pleasantly surprised by the role that nursing home and assisted living residents played both in driving the policy agenda and in providing feedback on policy “toolkits” and memos. I really enjoyed being able to speak directly to the people who were most directly impacted by these policies. I hope that in my future career I can continue to work for organizations and groups that prioritize this.
Why I’m studying public policy: I would like to play a role in helping people both individually and systemically. I believe that policy, when done right, is the best avenue for helping large numbers of people and creating a better future.
Future plans: After I receive my degree, I hope to move back to the Baltimore-Washington, DC, metropolitan area and work for a nonprofit doing policy and advocacy work.
