Jacob Nevins

I Learned: During my time as a Senior Legislative Intern in the office of State Senator Barry Finegold, I gained invaluable insights into the legislative process and honed several essential skills. Leading a team of five interns helped me develop strong leadership and organizational abilities, ensuring our projects and research were managed efficiently and delivered on time. I also had the opportunity to analyze legislation across all 50 states, which sharpened my research skills, allowing me to assess the impact of various laws and policies.

I learned the importance of effective communication and collaboration by coordinating with a diverse range of stakeholders, including constituents, community organizations, and government agencies. Organizing programs to showcase state benefits to different communities taught me how to tailor communication strategies, enhancing my public speaking and community engagement abilities.

Working closely with legislative staff and observing the decision-making process firsthand provided me with a deeper understanding of policy development and advocacy. This experience has reinforced my commitment to public service and my goal of contributing to meaningful legislative changes that benefit communities.

How My Classes Helped: My study of public policy was instrumental in preparing me for my role as a Senior Legislative Intern. The classes provided a strong foundation in research methodologies, critical analysis, and understanding complex policy issues, directly applicable when analyzing legislation across all 50 states. Emphasizing evidence-based policy-making, my coursework helped me evaluate the impacts of various laws and craft informed recommendations. This academic background equipped me with the tools and confidence to contribute effectively to the legislative process and support State Senator Barry Finegold's office.