Class of 2021 First-Year Fellow: Emily Minsky

As a First-Year Fellow, Emily Minsky ’21 interned at the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz under the mentorship of Christian Haines ’01. The following is an excerpt from her final report.

This summer, I worked in a member office in the House of Representatives. Thus, the organizational mission was to pass effective legislation, interact with constituents, and enact change in our government that reflects the desires of the people we represent. On a daily basis this mission is accomplished through meetings with interest groups and constituents, bill markups and hearings, and even small acts like answering the phone and giving tours for our constituency

As an intern in the Office of Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, my duties varied. I consistently performed administrative tasks like answering constituent calls, sorting mail, and greeting visitors when they arrive in our office. I also gave tours of the Capitol building to groups of visiting constituents. When we were in session, I was responsible for researching the bills that were being voted on that day and creating a summary which would be used by our legislative team to decide how the Congresswoman should vote. I frequently attended briefings and hearings. Most notably, I had the opportunity to attend the New Dems and Democratic Press Secretary meetings every Monday. I would then produce a memo from the information in the briefing and pass it along to the appropriate staffer. Finally, I engaged in a number of small research projects, finding statistics on Women in STEM and the National Medical Association for speeches the Congresswoman was slated to deliver.

Attending briefings on the Hill was the most rewarding and engaging component of my internship. I attended these briefings on subjects ranging from the Peace Corps to the Nomination of Justice Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, and after each one, I walked away having gained a wealth of knowledge. There is something special about being able to sit down and listen to some of the brightest minds in a field present their findings and thoughts on a topic, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to sit in these rooms and listen to the presentations of acclaimed researchers and Congresspeople. This internship has reinforced my passion for Government, strengthening my desire to major in that discipline. Thank you so much to the Rockefeller Center staff and donors, without whom this unforgettable summer would not have been possible.