Student Internship Blogs

Explore this collection of blogs by students from across the SUNY system who are participating in the Washington Internship Program. Each post offers a unique perspective on their time in D.C., where they gain hands-on experience in politics, policy, and other professional fields.

A Semester the Shutdown Couldn’t Stop

Alexis Cornwell is a Political Science and International Studies major from SUNY Cortland. For the Fall 2025 semester, Alexis interned for United States Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

Where Learning Met Reality: My Semester in Washington, DC

Nicolai Glouchkov is a Political Science major from SUNY Oneonta. For the Fall 2025 semester, Nicolai interned for the America-Eurasia Center.

Pages of the Past, Lessons for the Future: My Internship at the Library of Congress

Vianne Scheidecker is a Political Science and International Studies major from SUNY Brockport. For the Fall 2025 semester, Vianne interned for the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress.

Power Through Shutdown!

Brianna Rogers is a Political Science major and Sociology minor from SUNY New Paltz. For the Fall 2025 semester, Brianna interned for Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer.

From the ROC to DC: A Life-Changing Semester

Max Johnson is a double major in Social Work and African & African-American Studies at SUNY Brockport. For the Fall 2025 semester, Max interned for the Father McKenna Center.
Taylor Pawlenko outside the White House in Washington DC

Washington DC - An Experience I Will Cherish Forever

Taylor Pawlenko is an Accounting major from SUNY Brockport, with a minor in Kinesiology. For the Summer 2025 term, she interned for Franklin Square Law Group.  
Rylie DelVecchio inside Library of Congress

Held History in My Hands - And Found My Own Story Along the Way

Rylie DelVecchio is a Sociology and Social Work double major from SUNY Brockport, with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. For the Summer 2025 term, Rylie interned for the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress.
Matt Galgano in Senate Democratic Media Center in Washington DC

My Summer as a Media Student in DC

Matt Galgano is a student at SUNY Oswego, pursuing a double major in Journalism and Political Science. For the Summer 2025 term, Matt interned for the Senate Democratic Media Center. 
Annika Easaw, UB, inside the White House

How I Found My Passion and Place

Annika Easaw is an Honors College student at the University at Buffalo, pursuing a double major in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and in Global Gender Studies, along with a minor in Social Justice. For the Summer 2025 term, Annika interned for EducateUS.
Shekinah Olatunde in front of the White House

Capitol Chronicles: My Time as a Schutern in DC

Shekinah Olatunde is a student from SUNY New Paltz, majoring in Political Science with a minor in International Relations. For the Spring 2025 semester, she interned for Senator Charles Schumer. 
Linda Gherardi in front of the US Capitol building

More Than an Internship

Linda Gherardi is a Political Science major at Hofstra University, with a minor in Women’s Studies. For the Spring 2025 semester, she interned at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation as a Public Policy Fellow. 
Brandon Cirincione with Congressman Nick LaLota

Wrestling With Policy: Finding My Place in Washington

Brandon Cirincione is a student from SUNY Oneonta, with double majors in Political Science and Economics. For the Spring 2025 semester, he interned for Congressman Nick LaLota.  
Kennedy Delaney outside the Supreme Court building

Don’t Be Scared – Invest In Your Future!

Kennedy Delaney is a Philosophy major at Hofstra University, with minors in Philosophy of Law and Philosophy of Society and Business. This semester, Kennedy is interning at the Kluge Center within the Library of Congress.
Mia DeGeorges (left) and Bethany Ferguson (right) at the National Gallery of Art

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Mia DeGeorges and Bethany Ferguson both had the opportunity to intern at the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) this fall. Bethany is a junior at SUNY Brockport majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies with a minor in philosophy. Mia is a junior at Binghamton University double-majoring in History and Political Science with a double-minor in Immigration Studies and Writing Studies.
Divya Chauwan inside National Archives

Legal Advocacy and Personal Growth: A Semester in Washington DC

Divya Chauwan is majoring in both Political Science and International Relations at SUNY Brockport, and she also in minoring in both Sociology and Women and Gender Studies. This semester, Divya is interning for the DC Office of the Attorney General.
Bella Peracchi at U.S. Capitol

Finding My Career Path, Forever Friends, and New Home

Isabella Peracchi is a Political Science major at St. John Fisher University, with a minor in Media and Communications. This fall, she interned with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation as a Public Policy Fellow. 
Marion Leskovar standing behind a podium at the Pentagon

More than Politics: What a Semester in DC has to Offer

Marion Leskovar is a Political Science major at St. John Fisher University, with minors in both Legal Studies and Management. This semester, Marion is interning for the United States Marshals Service in Alexandria, Virginia. 
Leah Schutz with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

My Experience as a Press Intern for the Majority Leader

Leah Schutz is a Political Science major at Binghamton University. This semester, Leah is interning for the Press Office with United States Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer.
Sophia Cook standing on the Speaker's Gallery inside the U.S. Capitol.

Capitol Hill: A College Semester I’ll Never Forget

Sophia Cook, a Political Science major at SUNY Brockport with minors in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, interned For Congressman Joseph Morelle.
Halle Collins inside the Urban Institute, where she interned.

On Making the Most of New Opportunities

Halle Collins, a Film Studies and Creative Writing major at SUNY Oswego, with a minor in English, interned for the Urban Institute.
Omar Graves inside the Great Hall of the Library of Congress, where he interned.

From Archives to Action: My Experience in Washington DC

Omar Graves, a Master’s student at SUNY New Paltz studying Social Justice Educational Programs, interned for the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress.
Leah Siegmann standing outside the entrance to Bread for the City, where she interned.

Taking My Experiences from SUNY Washington Back to Brockport

Leah Siegmann, a Social Work major with a Minor in Studio Art at SUNY Brockport, completed an internship with Bread for the City.
Picture of Olivia on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court building

My Pre-Law Internship Experience in Washington D.C.

Olivia Furman, a Political Science major with Minors in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice, completed an internship with Rising For Justice, working in their Expungement Program.
Nick on the steps of the US Supreme Court building

From the Corner of The Class to the Capitol

Nick Mastrella, a Political Science major, served as a Policy Intern in the DC program with the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. 
Katie along the Tidal Basin during spring cherry blossom season

From Capitol Hill to Campaign Headquarters: My Unforgettable Semester

Katie Bales, a Political Science major and Sociology minor, interned in the DC program with the Donor Cultivation team at the Democratic National Committee. 
Senator Chuck Schumer (left) and Ian Klenk (right)

My Experience in the Senate Majority Leader’s Office

Ian Klenk served as a legislative intern for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

A College Experience You Can’t Replicate in a Classroom

Isabella DeFeo, Political Science major, interned with the Franklin Square Law Group gaining hands-on experience in the legal field focusing on the day-to-day life of an attorney.

Finding My Path in Washington DC

Keegan Beamish, double major in Communications and Women & Gender Studies, completed an internship with the National Organization for Women (NOW) working directly as a Presidential Intern.
Mia Vizcaino on Capitol Hill

My Summer as a Policy & Advocacy Intern

Mia Vizcaino discusses her summer in the SUNY Washington Internship Program as a public policy intern at the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.
Molly Racsko outside the supreme court

Finding My Career Path in Advocacy

Molly Racsko describes her internship with the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty advocateing for the separation of church and state to the Supreme Court.
Jessica Shoemaker

My Time Interning & Living on Capitol Hill

Jessica Shoemaker discusses her spring internship at the Kluge Center in the Library of Congress.