Jacob Mullen

Major: Political Science
Minor: Law and Society

Legal Intern at United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia

How did you learn about this internship opportunity?

I learned of this internship opportunity from browsing USAJOBS, the federal government's hiring portal, as I was looking for summer internship opportunities.

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

Have an open mind when applying, and be proactive by applying early. Many competitive internships recruit their interns months in advance, and opportunities often come from networking and introducing yourself rather than just an application. Additionally, don't limit yourself to one type of internship. Explore different roles and fields as you might discover interests you didn't know you had.

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

While at the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, I supported a variety of projects related to public outreach and communications, supporting Department of Justice initiatives. My responsibilities included researching and drafting content to be released, auditing public facing communications, conducting legal research, and supporting community outreach programs to strengthen transparency and public engagement. I also had the opportunity to attend meetings with residents from the community and our federal law enforcement partners. Additionally, I led logistics for the office's Annual Anti-Violence Youth Summit, managing vendors, guest speakers, and event operations serving hundreds of local students.

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?

Being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue contributed to my success throughout the internship, primarily from the coursework I had taken and how it provided me with a strong understanding of the role of executive agencies and the policy issues that shape public administration. Equally important were the skills I developed through the College of Liberal Arts such as writing, communication, critical thinking, and analysis, all of which proved valuable in a professional environment.

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 my internship journey by reducing the financial burden I had from living in a city with a high cost of living. This allowed me to focus on excelling in my internship and growing personally and professionally. Being a CLA student continues to be important to my professional development because it gives me the skills to think critically and excel in a competitive federal agency like the United States Attorney's Office.

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

Throughout my internship I regularly spent time out of the office out in the community, allowing me to directly interact with residents in the District. Those experiences gave me a broader perspective on the people we serve and helped me understand the real world impact of the Justice Department, beyond what I could have learned from behind a desk.