Sarah Nordberg
Office of State Rep. Marjorie Decker
Hometown: Attleboro, Massachusetts
Degree: 4+1 Master of Public Policy, December 2019
Where I interned: The Office of State Representative Marjorie Decker (UMass Amherst '94), through the Civic Action Project, a fellowship program that provides internship experience, training, and mentoring for emerging public service leaders.
What I did there: I conducted policy research and analyses on legislation in the Massachusetts State House and other policy issues. I also drafted written testimony, talking points, and memos for the representative and her staff and attended community events and listening sessions.
The most important thing I learned: The State House is a busy and exciting place, and it is important to be able to shift your focus from one issue to another at a moment's notice. Being able to understand the nuances of many different policy areas is a valuable skill when working in the legislature.
The most challenging part of my internship: Thinking through all of the potential stakeholders or impacts of a given policy issue. Even issues that seem straightforward can have a wide range of potential impacts, and it is important to think outside of the box on what those impacts could be.
What surprised me the most: I knew that the State House would be full of people who are passionate about making meaningful change to our state policies, but I was always amazed by just how true this was. The building is always filled with advocates and citizens looking to educate and share their experiences. It was always exciting to learn more about the ways in which legislation has the potential to impact people across the state.
Why I’m studying public policy: I am studying public policy because I have seen the ways in which policies touch people's everyday lives. I chose to get my MPP because I want to go into a policy career with the skills that I need to create beneficial and effective policies.
Future plans: I will be finishing my MPP in December. After that, I hope to work either within government or outside of it to create and advocate for policies that will make a meaningful difference in improving people’s health and economic outcomes.