Joseph Karwaczka

Major: Political Science

Expungements Intern, Marion County Prosecutor's Office

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

I learned about my internship through my previous experience in the Indiana State Senate. While interning in the senate, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears spent a day with the interns explaining the work and different programs his office has, and that is where I learned about their expungement program.

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

My internship has allowed me to see the direct impact that practicing the law can have on individuals' lives and go well beyond the technical aspect of it. I have not only had the opportunity to draft legal documents and file them with the court but meet with and see the individuals filing for expungements and fully understand the impact a program like this can have on someone.

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

Some of my most important tasks involved writing and research, two skills I developed while studying Political Science.

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

My advice would be to apply for everything. Apply for things you don't think you'd get, and apply for things outside of what you think you would be interested in. My first internship was in something that I not only thought I would hate but also something that I thought I had no chance at. I found a whole new area I would be interested in, and I also was able to flip that into the internship I have now. Don't just lock in on one thing before experiencing others.