Jennie Means ’14 with Congressman Mike Michaud (ME-2)
Jennie Means ’14 interned with Congressman Mike Michaud (ME-2) this summer with the help of the Capitol Hill Internship Fund, which provides a stipend of $300 per week up to $3,000 for students able to secure a Capitol Hill internship. Here’s a spotlight of her experience:
My Experience:
I interned in the office of Congressman Mike Michaud (ME-02) in Washington, DC this past summer. In addition to completing regular office duties and Capitol tours, I was fortunate to work in an office that gives true responsibility and trust to its interns. I authored legislative memos on pending legislation in various policy areas and drafted remarks for delivery by the Congressman as well as press statements. I also worked closely with constituents, answering numerous phone calls and letters each week.
What is the most interesting or important thing you took from your Internship this summer?
The most interesting and unexpected thing I got to do this summer was help draft an eight-minute speech for the Congressman to give at an event he attended in Maine. While applying to internships on the Hill, I never dreamed I would get the exciting opportunity of hearing the words I wrote being spoken by an elected official.
I also got to be at the Supreme Court on the morning the Defense of Marriage Act was struck down. That was an incredible moment and snapshot of American history that I’m so grateful I got to be a part of. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling of being surrounded by such joy and love and being a part of history in the making.
How did the Capitol Hill Internship Program help make your experience possible?
Washington, DC is a exciting place to live and work, and offers numerous valuable experiences for students and interns. It is, however, a very expensive place to live, especially while completing an unpaid internship. The Capitol Hill Internship Program led me to the best internship I’ve ever completed and gave me more financial security while I interned on the Hill.
Why would you recommend the Capitol Hill Internship Program?
I would recommend the Capitol Hill Internship Program to anyone interested because it helped me focus my interests and political beliefs, gave me an inside view of how legislative is truly drafted and passed, and helped me realize what I do and don’t want to do with my future.
Other comments:
My internship this past summer was an invaluable experience and I couldn’t have done it without the help of the Capitol Hill Internship Program!
Thanks so much to Jennie for sharing her amazing experience with us! Learn how you can participate in the Capitol Hill Internship Program at the following info session:
– Tuesday, Sep 17, 12-12:45 pm, Coleman 120
– Monday, Sep 30, 4:00-5:00 pm, ELC 217
– Thursday, Oct. 17, 4:00-5:00 pm, ELC 217
– Thursday, Nov 7, 3:30 -4:30 pm, ELC 217
– Tuesday, Dec 3, 12-12:45 pm, Colemen 120
The application deadline is Monday, December 9, at 11:59 pm on the BRIDGE.