Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid

Hometown: Easthampton, MA

Degree and graduation year: MPPA, 2024

What I do there: (Some of the tasks included:)

My primary roles include coordinating the refresh of Springfield WORKS’ online presence; assisting in grant writing; performing research, analysis, and development of materials on barriers to financial success related to the public benefits system ("Cliff Effects); and developing social media, communications, infographics, and presentations across the organization.

The most important thing I’m learning: 
Becoming familiar with our workforce development ecosystem and how organizations are working to change systems to better serve individuals and families. I’m also learning about trauma-informed and human-centered program design approaches that take into account the perspectives of the most marginalized in our community to better meet their needs.

The most challenging part of my internship:

The biggest challenge was dividing my time between all the different opportunities presented to me to learn and expand my skill set. It's great to have a team that believes in me, but sometimes it feels like I have said yes too much. I am also completing a teaching assistantship and independent client work, so it has been challenging to keep up with everything.

What surprised me the most:

I thought signing up for a whole year would feel like a long time, but after 7 months, I am worried about leaving before I can finish some of the projects I have started. I wasn’t expecting to feel so attached to the organization. I think all of the encouragement I’ve received on my work has definitely contributed to this.

Why I’m studying public policy:

I see a dire need at the local, state, and federal levels for public policies that serve people over powerful corporate interests, and I want to work to be a part of that solution. I want to take part in creating new programs that help to solve the biggest problems we face as a society.
 

Future plans:

I would love to see myself working as a policy researcher for nonprofit organizations focused on issues like inequality, racial justice, housing access, and climate change. I can’t see a future in which the work I do every day isn’t helping to solve the glaring systemic issues I think about and live with daily.