Job Title: Legislative Intern
Location: Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC)
How did you find the internship?
I knew that I wanted to intern at the State House in the winter or spring, so I began my internship search by cold-emailing several offices and Caucuses about possible opportunities. Shortly after I emailed the MBLLC, their Executive Director informed me about a winter intern position and he offered me an interview! I have had luck finding other opportunities, such as my past internship with Public Citizen, on Handshake.
What was your role or what did you learn?
While interning for the MBLLC at the Boston State House, I mainly assisted the Caucus’ Executive Director with scheduling local organization outreach meetings, prepared briefings on those organizations, and wrote memos on those meetings. I also worked on preparations for the Caucus’ annual Black Excellence Awards event, as I prepared the digital program, reached out to legislators’ offices about their award nominees, and helped compile a media list to publicize the event. I was also able to attend several events, including a networking mixer with municipal and state officials!
How did your Political Science courses help you?
During my freshman year, I took Polisci 280: Public Policy, a course on the process of creating public policy and the role of citizens, interest groups, and governments in creating those policies. In that course, I learned how to write a memorandum on an issue that could use policy reform. I still use that memo today as a writing sample for internship and job applications, as well as in my past internship with the MBLLC.