Derek Brubaker

Majors: History; Political Science

Mayor's Office Intern, City of South Bend

1.) How did you learn about this internship opportunity? 

I learned about the internship through my city's job search website.

2.) How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals?  

This internship has helped me develop my network of local community members, as well as teaching me archival practices for government documents. The internship has reconfirmed my interest in local politics rather than national or state-level politics.

3.) How do you apply your Liberal Arts skills to your internship?  

My anthropology and WGSS classes have helped shape my cultural understanding, which I apply constantly while interacting with city residents. I also use historic knowledge to contextualize current events and contentious issues. 

4.) What is a piece of advice you would give someone looking for an internship?   

If you are interested in local government, your best friend is networking. Reach out to anyone even marginally involved in politics, and they can pass your name along. Everything in politics is connected and you are sure to find a department in need of an intern.