Job-Ready Intern

Amanda Warnock

Church World Service, Immigration and Refugee Program

What was the most exciting thing about your role? 

I was excited every time I met with a Member of Congress, a Cabinet member, or another high-ranking federal official. As of now, I have met with or been at speaking engagements with over 120 Members of Congress, so there has been a lot of excitement. 

What surprised you most about your internship? 

I was surprised about all the opportunities in DC for interns or recent graduates. This city runs on interns, and every week there were more opportunities for interns to network or learn new skills.

How did you apply your Liberal Arts-skills to your internship position?

Without my liberal arts skills, I would not have been able to succeed in my position. I used my writing, debating, and critical thinking skills every single day. I read and analyzed hundreds of bills during my time in this position, and I wrote a few papers that were submitted to newspapers, high-ranking officials, and official Congressional records for various hearings and votes. I also frequently met with Members of Congress and their staff who we were attempting to sway towards supporting our efforts, and the skills of quick-thinking and effective debate were essential for these conversations. Critical thinking was important each and every day, as both policy and advocacy are rooted in strategy. 

How has your internship prepared you for your career? 

Because my internship included both policy and advocacy, I learned a great deal about both fields. While learning about advocacy was certainly a helpful experience, I learned that I would rather go into the policy/law-making side of things. Having a foot in both fields was an essential experience for preparing me for my career.