Notes from the Field: Jennifer Dalecki '15

Rockefeller Center-funded interns reflect on their experiences as part of our "Notes from the Field" series. Click here to read more about the Rockefeller Center's Internships program. To read the entire series, click here.

Student Intern: Jennifer Dalecki '15 

Internship Organization: Department of Justice: Office of International Affairs – Washington, DC

How would you describe your employer in one paragraph? What’s the elevator pitch? 
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) provides assistance on international criminal matters to the Attorney General, other Department of Justice officials, the U.S. Attorneys offices, and state and local prosecutors. OIA coordinates the extradition or other legal rendition of international fugitives and all international evidence gathering. 

What are your specific responsibilities in the organization? 
I work on OIA's South America team, which assists with extradition and evidence exchange requests from countries in South America. I collaborate with paralegals and attorneys to evaluate foreign requests and facilitate those that appear complete and clear. 

How did you feel on the first day of your internship? 
Walking into OIA on my first day, I felt both nervous and excited. After a brief orientation, I started reading through cases almost immediately. OIA supports a "learn by doing" mentality, which although initially overwhelming, has been very effective. 

What is your favorite part of the internship so far? 
My favorite part of my internship experience is definitely the team of people that I've gotten to work with. Everyone on my team has an interesting backstory and unique path that brought them to OIA. I value the opportunity to speak to my co-workers and learn about their experiences after college graduation. Speaking with my co-workers reiterates that there is no "right" way to go about finding a job. 

What challenges have you faced so far? 
At times, I have found myself assigned to projects that I don't entirely understand. After taking some time to digest my assignment, I will often approach my supervisor or other interns for clarification. I find that asking questions is a great learning opportunity and makes future projects easier and clearer.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of your internship? 
By the end of my internship, I hope to walk away with a better sense of my interest in law. Presently, I find the idea of law school interesting, but I'm hoping that by the end of this internship, I'll have a better idea if it's a field that I want to seriously pursue after Dartmouth. 

What have been some practical lessons you've learned in the day-to-day life of your internship? 
On days when the weather is especially cold or snowy, give yourself some extra time for the metro. When the weather isn't ideal for walking, the metro gets busy and you oftentimes find yourself waiting on the platform for a car that isn't completely full. The wait can easily extend upwards of 20 minutes. Fill up your metro card in the beginning of the week. Frequently taking the time to add money to your metro card will add a few minutes to your journey, especially when the machines are not working.