Office of Congressman John Sarbanes, Washington, DC
While serving Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District alongside Congressman Sarbanes and his staff my many responsibilities included, but were not limited to, enhancing the office’s capacity, leading constituent outreach, and sustaining a well-balanced grasp on political intricacies relevant to the district. Each intern was also expected to produce a final policy briefing, pro and con letters, and opinion-editorial on a particular policy interest aligned with the office’s objectives. Given the national notoriety of the Democratic Party’s #ABetterDeal platform and Congressman Sarbanes’ central role in its emergence, I was assigned to champion the policy groundwork of the voter empowerment pillar for November. This involved producing multiple reports a week on redistricting, gerrymandering, voter suppression, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the implications of existing legislation seeking to secure unhindered access to the franchise for all citizens. This effort was far from new to the United States. Seemingly century after century, the most fundamental right in our representative democracy has been encroached upon due to the underlying questions of who citizenship pertains to and whose opinions warrant suffrage. This issue has a history of tarnishing many states and enabled me to work collaboratively with other offices committed to rectifying this breach of our Founding Fathers’ vision.
The staff were just as diverse as the interns. Several had attended prestigious institutions of higher education however the others, that were just as resourceful, graduated from public universities. Interestingly enough, the only resident of the district was the Congressman himself. I was surprised that despite not bearing any affinity towards the district, each staffer was able to approach every issue constituents were concerned about with a depth of comprehension, a willingness to constantly learn from lifelong natives and the ability to translate the citizens’ needs into feasible goals for the Congressman. Every office, in either chamber of the U.S. Congress, is autonomous. Fortunately, Congressman Sarbanes’ office has begun a mentorship program just months before I arrived for my internship. Each intern was assigned to a current staffer contingent upon their previously selected policy priorities. My mentor was an alumni of my high school, a fellow native of Talbot County, Md., and Deputy Chief of Staff. His mentorship afforded me the opportunity to access privileges of a highly-ranked staffer. The insight I gained from attending meetings he lead, representing the office in hearings of importance and conducting integral research for policy opened my eyes to the significance of adept leadership. Congressman Sarbanes, much like his father, is an approachable, kindhearted intellectual with an unparalleled passion for justice, truth and the Chesapeake Bay. This certainly trickled down into every staffer within the office. While each staffer brought their own unique individual narratives, as a whole the office was policy-oriented, showed great hospitality and kept the best interests of Maryland 3rd Congressional District in mind at all times.
The broader aspects of my internship and the relevance of my work to the areas of significant concern within our society almost seemed overwhelming at times. However, instead of impeding my merits this sentiment gave me a determination to honor both my country and state. As Chairman of the Democracy Reform Task Force, a formidable member of both the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power and Subcommittee on Health, as well as the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Congressman Sarbanes’ work pertains to policy areas that are of concern to constituents on the national level. Standing on the steps of the Capitol several times during my internship and rarely hesitating to advocate for the rights citizens are entitled to, Congressman Sarbanes both exhibited the fruits of seriously and faithfully executing the duties of public office. Given the leverage of my mentorship, the reports and briefings I was able to produce will have great use if this November grants the Democratic Party the favorable majority it anticipates.
The professionalism, and in some case lack thereof, throughout the U.S. Congress will continue to strengthen the integrity with which I intend on contributing to my own future public service. People across the nation distrust the government and harbor deep despair when it comes to engaging with those they inherently give power with the expectation of accountability. However, I have seen their concerns justified firsthand and I vow to never take taxpayer money or the needs of a constituency for granted because the Founder intended for our democracy to be the people’s, with no exceptions.
My invaluable internship experience will influence key areas of importance to me, such as future course selection in my final year at Williams, post-graduate work, and career orientation. Having had my eyes set on working in Congressman Sarbanes’ office, I enrolled in Williams-Mystic to equip myself with the environmental knowledge needed in congressional districts that prioritize the future vitality of the Chesapeake Bay. At Williams I intend on expanding the interdisciplinary approach of Williams-Mystic by coupling my Political Science degree with more environmental studies. As far as post-graduate work and career orientation, I still remain committed to returning to the Maryland Eastern Shore for public office and I find it increasingly important to pursue an M.P.P. or M.S. program that integrates environmental law, public policy, and socioeconomic principles into an applicable format for policymakers at all levels.
As a lifelong resident of the Maryland Eastern Shore, I have witnessed the progress sparked by an interwoven focus of three policy areas: environmental protection, education, and economic development. All of which are inextricably linked throughout Rural America and their synergy determines the quality of life for future generations. As a lifelong resident of the beautiful Maryland Eastern Shore, where the self-sufficiency of agriculture and entrepreneurship are embedded in the legacy of our families, investments in social capital, environmental health and small businesses have directly affected my community. To reinvigorate Rural America in the wake of dire Great Recession effects, all three of these factors need to be equally prioritized and advocated for at every level of government. Thankfully my internship on Capitol Hill enhanced my understanding of how to best utilize the remainder of my undergraduate experience, where to invest my merits beyond Williams and how my discernment would influence the trajectory of my career interests.
I struggle at identifying where exactly to start expressing my gratitude for the support of the George J. Mead Internship Fund and the unremitting guidance of the ’68 Center for Career Exploration. Without either, my illuminating opportunity to serve in the U.S. federal government this summer would not have been even remotely possible. Therefore, I am extremely thankful and appreciative of the alumni sponsors of the Alumni Sponsored Internship Program and their continued interest in helping fellow Ephs invest in themselves to better our world.
Megamenu Social