Name: Clarence Snuggs

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site: Maryland General Assembly Internship Program

Position Title: Legislative Aide

Major or Program: Political Science

Current Class Level: Junior

Work Term: Spring 2022

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.

I work in the office of Maryland House Delegate Pamela Queen (Montgomery County, District 14), where I draft responses to her constituents' questions, draft letters requesting support and testimony for her bills, and create plans for her weekly social media outreach. I also perform research for each bill I write support letters for to help show what the issues are and how her bills will help solve them. So far I have helped answer several residents' questions about the state government, and successfully gained support for the Delegate's bills and other initiatives from the state's citizen groups, and social media followers.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

After interning for a handful of social service and civil rights organizations, I developed a strong interest in helping legislators craft public policy. In September of my Fall 2021 semester, I talked about this with Dr. Laura Antkowiak, Director of my honors program the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, who recommended that I apply for the MGA Internship Program. During the application process, I got my resume reviewed by the Career Center, and got my personal essay reviewed by the Writing Center, both of which were impressed by my background in public service and helped me show it to the review board. After submitting it in late October, I was contacted for a number of interviews with state House Delegates, to discuss legislative aide positions. During my last Delegate Queen, from my home of Montgomery County, I expressed my knowledge of, and desire to be a part of the legislative process in Maryland. She offered me a position, which I was glad to accept. 

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization? 

"I have most enjoyed drafting letters to Delegate Queen's constituents and community organizations across the state, because I know that I am playing an active role in helping them understand our state government better, and solving their challenges through getting their support for her initiatives. 

Every constituent I've helped respond to has asked good questions about how the state government can help them learn more about the policy issues they're interested in, and whether the Delegate can support some of them through her bills or those of other legislators. I know that each question answered and every challenge the Delegate's office supports brings residents one step closer to overcoming their challenges and getting the most out of living in Maryland. I feel the same way about letters requesting support for her bills, in that from what I understand from reading and researching the issues they address, they will do real good for the residents who they're aimed at supporting, and encouraging community organizations who are working on them to support her efforts makes me proud to be part of the legislative process, and part of the solutions."

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

"I believe I have made a positive impact on the lives of fellow Maryland residents through my work, by helping to get them the information, and state support they need to get their needs addressed. Legislative representatives are here to represent the interests of their constituents, through developing new policies which address the challenges they are facing. Every constituent I have helped respond to, and every community organization I have convinced to support the Delegate's bills have 

provided them support when they've needed it, and encouraged them to be agents of change for the issues they want to see improvement in. "

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience? 

Look for job fields which align with your interests, and apply for positions which will let you use your skills and experience to do the job in the best way possible. Internship coordinators are eager to take on students who are interested in learning about the type of work they do, and will be glad to sit down and talk with you about opportunities with them if you show them how you can be a valuable addition to their team.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

Look for ways to make a positive difference for the people you're serving, in every task you have in your internship.

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Name: Ahmad Adams

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site: UMBC Division of Professional Studies

Position Title: Digital Marketing and Web Development Intern

Major or Program: Media & Communication Studies

Current Class Level: Senior

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.

I currently manage the posts for the office of Summer and Winter programming. I gather useful media for students that is shared on our blog site, hang posters for upcoming events, table at events to inform them about the Department of Professional Services, and critique website layout choices to name a few.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I heard about the position from Dr. Loviglio And Professor Hassan! I was in professor Hassan's class in Fall 2021 and she emailed about it. 

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization? 

I enjoy the flexibility that is provided when working in a hybrid setting. I can get in-person training and get help while in person. Then I'm left to my own devices and can produce work to be reviewed when I come back. Critique is easier for me to understand in person because little nuances can get lost over text. I also have class right next to Sherman (where my internship is located) so it only made sense that I walk there after class!

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I think what I've used to make the most impact so far is writing. Particularly for my upcoming post on the Career Center! I think many students gloss over what the Career Center has to offer until they're in the last month of their senior semester. The Career Center is such an amazing resource. It's the primary reason I have my current internship and the one I had this past summer! I also collect articles that can be of help to the student body. For example, topics like: stress management, eating healthy, dorm snack hacks (can't be too healthy), time management, and study tips. My main goal in whatever field I end up in is to help people. The Department of Professional Services helps me do that by allowing me room to be creative by using my skills to the fullest.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience? 

Don't be afraid to reach out on LinkedIn to people that work at the company you're applying for. Your connections matter and it's a good way to get info on what they use at their job. Whether it's software, workflows, or the work environment. After reaching out initially and getting feedback, tell them how following their advice turned out! It's a good way to interact with your connections organically (not every day or every month but often enough they don't forget you).

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

I think what helped  me most was having an advisor specialized in helping Arts & Humanities majors. When I think of the Career Center, I think of people looking for jobs in economics, front and back end web development, cyber security, and so on. Basically, the STEM majors since UMBC is known as a STEM school. It's easy to fall into the trap of "oh you're a humanities major, you're not gonna have a job when you graduate." Thanks to my advisor I'm already on my way to having 2 years worth of experience before I graduate in the spring next year!

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Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Monday!