Mr. Brown, thank you very much for your support towards my internships this summer. My name is Phoebe and I am an entering fourth-year, U4 student pursuing a joint honors degree in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Management. This summer, I was a Legislative Intern in Washington, D.C. in Congressman Eric Swalwell’s office, and a Research Intern remotely with Period Law, a menstrual equity nonprofit.
In Congressman Swalwell’s office, I attended briefings on Capitol Hill on a wide variety of issues, from evangelical views on immigration to diversity in clinical trials. From these briefings with experts in the field, I sent policy staffers memos with a summary and my own analysis, which offered me a glimpse into the policy-making process. I was also tasked with answering constituent phone calls and emails, which gave me insight into how constituent voices affect change. This work was the perfect supplement to my McGill education, as it provided additional detail and experience in the U.S. government for me to use post-graduation.
At Period Law, I cataloged documents from state Departments of Education nationwide that were returned from Freedom of Information Act requests filed by the organization last fall. These documents included emails, lesson plans, posters, and other files on record with the agency, which I sorted and used to gain a big-picture perspective on the state of menstrual product requirements in schools. My previous coursework in research methods was helpful in this position, as I determined how to approach document analysis and draw conclusions. This Fall, I’ll be using these primary sources as the basis for my Sociology thesis and am excited to continue my research with a more narrowed focus.
My highlights for the summer included attending the House Judiciary Committee hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray, who testified on the FBI’s investigation into the assassination attempt against former President Trump. I was able to get a first-hand look at how committees operate and what hearings like this look like. High-interest hearings are often covered on the news, but being able to see one in real time was incredibly memorable.
This summer, I hoped to see the processes of policymaking from different perspectives, and I absolutely did. I’m returning to McGill this fall with a well-rounded view on the policy space and stakeholders within it and a new understanding of my post-graduation plans. As I enter the workforce in a few months, these experiences have helped me reflect on my future goals and career paths. I’m excited to get started!Â
Being on Capitol Hill gave me access to a network of professionals who were able to offer advice and perspectives from their careers that would be hard to see in such a strong capacity elsewhere. As I lived in Washington, D.C. for seven weeks, I was also able to explore the city and its expansive history. I truly loved my time there, and it would not have been possible without funding from the Susan Casey Brown fund for McGill. With this funding, I was able to live and work in D.C. on Capitol Hill and explore different spaces during my time remote with Period Law. Thank you to Mr. Brown and the McGill International Experience Awards founders for their generous support!
