Reflecting on my SBS in DC Experience

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Union Station, the main rail stop for Amtrak and other trains in Washington, DC

As the summer officially draws to a close and campus returns to life for the fall semester, I'm reflecting on how I’m moving forward as a result of my summer with the SBS in DC program and how I will use the skills and perspective that I’ve learned. SBS in DC is a program here at UMass Amherst offered by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences where students spend the summer interning in Washington, DC, with a cohort of their peers.

Coming to UMass two years ago, I had a vague, somewhat abstract view of a strictly legal career path. Although it is certainly good to explore, as I’ve taken different courses and experienced different opportunities, more questions have been posed, rather than answered.

Without a doubt, the most invaluable insight I have gained from my time in DC is now knowing what I want to do — and what I don’t want to do — in the next few years.

More specifically, I know that I work best when I can easily see the connections between the work I am contributing to and positive change.

If I can ask myself: "Is this helping to make a difference?", and confidently say yes, then I know I am in that right place and can easily motivate myself and others when work gets difficult.

I also now recognize paths that I know would not be a good fit for me. Mainly by hearing about the experiences of my cohort in the program, it was readily apparent that a culture and mission of an organization has a considerable impact on the work lives of those who work there. In the future I'm always going to ask job interviewers what the culture and community is like at an organization!

Through my internship and the SBS in DC program, I was also able to meet many people in the legal and labor fields who have collectively painted a realistic picture of how I can achieve my professional goals. In knowing a clear path for myself as a result of this experience, I am now returning to UMass inspired and excited for the future.

As I progress through my undergraduate career, I will also have to prepare for the Honors Thesis. This summer, I discovered possible Honors thesis topics that I am passionate about and would like to investigate further. Through my work in DC, I was exposed to many different policy areas, ranging from paid family leave to farmworkers' safety to federal apprenticeship programs, among others. How impactful and interesting could a thesis on the need and potential impact of improved federal heat work standards be amidst record temperatures?

The Honors Thesis will definitely be a significant task, but knowing what I know now, especially about a variety of different policies and laws, I have some clarity and peace of mind as I begin my thesis process soon.

Professional and academic growth aside, the SBS in DC Experience has also allowed me to grow as a person and gain some necessary perspective as a college student.

Although fairly common to some, this summer in DC was a time away from family and friends in Massachusetts for three months continuously, which is new to me since I am from Worcester, only about an hour drive away from UMass. I also came to enjoy living more independently and taking more control of basic tasks like grocery shopping and figuring out logistics for the commute.

The US Supreme Court building in DC

Of course, this experience has prepared me for life after UMass in that regard, but it also has given me newfound appreciation for UMass Dining Halls, on-campus housing in the CHCRC, and how walkable our campus is.

Going into my third year at UMass, I'm appreciating the little things while preparing for big things ahead.