Isabella Crespo

Major: Political Science

Legislative and Regulatory Intern at D.C. Legislative and Regulatory Services

How did you learn about this internship opportunity?

I learned about this opportunity from one of my mentors, Julie, a Purdue alumna.

What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?

Apply everywhere, even to jobs that do not exactly align with your vision. Be flexible in the opportunities you look for. Experience is important, and you can learn transferable skills to apply to a different job if you do not love the internship.

What key responsibilities or projects have you taken on during your internship?

Monitored 15+ congressional hearings, committee markups, agency budget hearings, and policy events across six committees in the House and Senate, analyzing legislative and regulatory developments affecting agricultural, environmental, labor, transportation, and infrastructure policy. Produced 20+ client-facing policy memoranda summarizing congressional testimony, legislative actions, and regulatory developments, translating complex policy discussions into actionable analyses for industry stakeholders. Conducted legislative and regulatory research on agriculture, environmental policy, EPA initiatives, USDA programs, and emerging federal policy issues to support client advising and strategic decision-making. Researched fertilizer production markets, agricultural economics, and federal funding opportunities to support federal grant development and client policy analysis. Developed stakeholder research tools and policy resources to support government affairs initiatives.

How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?

My internship has significantly strengthened my research, policy writing, and professional communication skills. Throughout the summer, I attended congressional hearings, summarized legislation and executive orders, researched USDA conservation programs, and prepared policy memos tailored to different clients. These assignments required me to analyze complex policy documents, identify the information most relevant to stakeholders, and communicate it clearly and concisely. Before this summer, I knew I wanted to work in environmental policy, but my experience in Washington, D.C. confirmed that I want to build my career here after graduating from Purdue. My political science and government classes gave me the background knowledge needed to understand congressional hearings and the policymaking process. I also had experience researching policies and exploring government websites for my liberal arts classes, so I was able to continue strengthening those skills throughout my internship. My coursework also taught me to tailor my writing to my audience, and I was able to apply that for the various projects I worked on for different clients. Critical thinking, communication, and policy analysis were all skills I learned at Purdue and developed through my internship.

In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our Job-Ready program specifically aided your professional development?

The College of Liberal Arts supported me financially and academically. The combination of financial assistance and the opportunity to earn academic credit allowed me to focus on making the most of my internship experience instead of worrying about whether I could afford to participate. The College of Liberal Arts has helped me pursue advancement in my professional career without putting my academic one on hold. I greatly value this support and flexibility as it has given me job experience in the field before I graduate.

Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in the Job-Ready program that you find particularly noteworthy?

The most impactful aspect of the Job-Ready program was that it made my internship in Washington, D.C. financially attainable. The scholarship removed a major barrier to pursuing an opportunity that aligned with my career goals, while the ability to earn academic credit allowed me to stay on track toward graduation. Together, that support gave me the confidence to pursue a hands-on policy experience that strengthened my skills, expanded my professional network, and confirmed my desire to build a career in Washington after graduating from Purdue.