Harshita Snehi

Hometown: India

Degree and graduation year: May 2024

Where I interned: Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts

What I did there: I identified and established contact with organizations and coalitions that were working towards Climate change/resilience/adaptability, Housing/Homelessness, Mental health/behavioral health/youth development, Education (Early ed through higher ed), Food security, Healthy aging Racial justice/anti-racism, Local public health, Economic security, Access to health care/health insurance, Health care/public health, Workforce Development in Massachusetts, with a special focus on Western Massachusetts. To track these efforts, I developed a database of over 50 organizations in Massachusetts and coded their legislative priorities. I also matched issues to legislators, determining what topics held the interest of Massachusetts legislators. 

I wrote testimonials for bills like the Healthy Homes Bill and CORI. I also had the opportunity to  attend a hearing for the CORI bill at the Boston state house where I heard verbal testimonies from formerly incarcerated people now working towards reducing recidivism by creating opportunities for employment and housing for those with a CORI.

Housing is also a primary public health issue. In the wake of the current housing crisis, I was able to contribute by  developing a matrix to compare four housing authorities - Springfield, Agawam, Westfield, and Chicopee. I delved into the application process for the Local Housing Authorities of these 4 towns to comprehend the intricacies of the procedure and provide recommendations that would enhance transparency, accessibility, and accountability throughout the process. This was an important lesson in the way automating systems can prove to do more harm than good.

I conducted research concerning the impact of vaping, the necessity for regulations, and studied the class action lawsuit against JUUL. Based on my findings, I offered recommendations on how to allocate the settlement money to address these issues. This led to an opportunity to attend an open house hosted by Attorney General Andrea Campbell who has been deeply involved in this case.

The most important thing I learned: The nonlinear nature of the policy process.

The most challenging part of my internship: Gaps in information/lack of transparency.

What surprised me the most: How much people care about making the world a better place!

Why I’m studying public policy: I worked in marketing and communications for about three years before I decided to start grad school. I wanted to study something that had the capacity for actually making positive change.

Future plans: Hopefully find work and stick around Massachusetts a while longer?