Author: gabriellal

Interning at Emerge MA was one of the most impactful experiences in my life. While my work was not campaign-focused, as I originally thought it would be, the internship taught me a great deal about what I bring to the table as an intern. My supervisor and the Board of Directors cultivated an environment in which I was encouraged to propose and executive my initiatives as well as take credit for my ideas. For instance, when I proposed a new social media campaign to highlight Emerge MA’s alumni working as campaign managers, my supervisor loved it and encouraged me to see it to fruition. Though social media is not my strong suit, it was very empowering to see an initiative all the way through. 

In addition, Emerge MA showed me the beauty and rigors of public service. It is not every day that I have the opportunity to be surrounded by a group of politically empowered women ready to tackle the issues their communities face. Emerge MA imbues a culture of dedication, selflessness, and perseverance. The lesson of perseverance could not have come at a better time for me. The application process this summer was especially brutal, and after having been rejected from plenty of organizations, I had very little self-confidence in my abilities as an intern. Though I was fortunate enough to be accepted into several programs in May, I could not shake the feeling that I was not worthy enough. Emerge MA changed that. Public service, especially on the local and state level, is both rewarding and incredibly difficult. There are many sacrifices people must be willing to make to serve in elected office. My supervisor, the board of directors, and the alumnae have withstood a lot – including losing an election. However, no matter what, these powerful people continued to show up and serve their communities in any way they could. 

I now can recognize that rejections are not embarrassing but a part of life. So, instead of hiding from my rejections, I take them as an opportunity to learn. Whenever I get rejected from an internship or job, I take the time to ask for feedback. Feedback is a great way not only to learn how I can be a better applicant for next time but to get some closure. I would recommend asking for feedback – especially if you are interested in re-applying for the position because it shows maturity and personal strength. 

Another piece of advice I would give to future applicants is that it is okay not to know something. I began this summer with the quest of finding the key to my future success, a concrete roadmap, if you will, of my life. I am proud to end my summer internship at Emerge MA with more questions than answers. This may sound like I failed my mission, but in reality, I am doing myself a favor. I believe that by embracing the complexity of choosing a career path and the inevitably of change, I am setting myself up for greater success. 

Virtual Internships can be tough. Working from home can blur the lines of the work-life balance – causing employees and interns to work longer hours than expected. The disruption of the work-life balance has been a widespread issue for individuals working from home since the start of the pandemic. According to an article in The Conversation, individuals in the US working from home extended their workday by over two hours. I have definitely fallen into that trap. There have been many times when I caught myself doing work past my allotted hours. However, I am really lucky to intern for an organization that places emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Being an organization of women who juggle multiple jobs, my supervisor has modeled the need to establish respectable work-life boundaries in order to minimize burnout and enjoy life outside the workplace. 

It is with this mindset that I have decided to take advantage of my virtual internship and travel during the summer. From my portable office (a.k.a. my laptop) I have conducted my internship from New York City; Boca Raton, Florida; Maryland; Pennsylvania; Cape Cod, and, as of recently, Madrid, Spain. Though I definitely miss interacting with my colleagues in an in-person setting, I admit that I have enjoyed being able to do my internship while also visiting friends and family who I have not seen in over a year. 

Due to the 6-hour time difference between Madrid and Boston, my supervisor and I have had to come up with creative ways to make sure that we have ample opportunities to connect. Every night, my supervisor uploads my work for the next day onto a Google TasksBoard.  I focus on the work she has assigned until we Zoom in the afternoon at a reasonable time for both of us. These Zoom meetings have helped alleviate the feelings of isolation which can be common when doing a virtual internship. While interning with a time difference may not be possible for every intern or organization, I am lucky to have a supervisor who has been extremely accommodating; going above and beyond to ensure that I can build my network and establish relationships with women who can provide guidance and assistance to my career. 

While my newfound graphic design, marketing, and communication skills will be useful as a club leader on campus, the idea of maintaining a work-life balance will likely be the most beneficial skill I have learned this summer, and the hardest one to adapt into my daily life back at Brandeis. Despite its importance, the practice of work-life balance goes out the window on college campuses. During the academic year, my struggle to find the balance between work and leisure has led to instances of burnout. One thing I hope to take away from this internship is to make space in my schedule for non-academic interests such as cooking, hiking, reading, or grabbing food at Sherman with friends. I implore other Brandeis students to follow my lead and begin to invest not only in their grades but also in themselves.

This summer, I have the privilege of interning with Emerge MA, an organization dedicated to recruiting and training Democratic women to run for public office. Over the past couple of weeks, I have learned a great deal about sacrifice, dedication, and the realities of public service. Since its establishment in 2002, Emerge has trained over 4,000 women, and more than 700 of its alumni have been elected to public office – including 418 in 2018 alone. Emerge MA runs several intensive training programs targeting potential candidates and campaign managers. The signature program is a 70-hour training over six months that gives women critical knowledge of field operations, endorsements, fundraising, and communications. Through its programming, Emerge has created a network of successful and inspiring women, with which I have the pleasure of working.

My internship responsibilities include researching Emerge MA Alum, designing graphics, corresponding with Emerge MA members, engaging with the Emerge MA alum Facebook group, and drafting emails. One project I am working on right now is a graphic congratulating all of the Emerge MA alum who ran or are running for office in 2021. As I progress in the internship, I hope to gain more face time with some of the other women in Emerge MA’s network. 

Though my internship is virtual, Emerge MA has ensured that I still feel part of the community. For instance, the Executive Director has set up a virtual office space over Zoom so she and I can work together. Though Zoom fatigue is real, I have immensely enjoyed having a space that fosters communication and collaboration. As the only summer intern, I have had the privilege of building a strong bond with the Executive Director, my direct supervisor. During our Zoom sessions, the Executive Director, an elected official herself, has given great insight into being both young and a woman in local politics.   

I can tell that my summer internship at Emerge MA will be professionally and personally impactful. After reflecting on my past summer internships, I realized that I have only worked for male candidates. As a young woman passionate about civic engagement, I am desperate to see more women serving in elected office. As an Emerge MA intern, I feel like I am helping to create space for women to achieve in the realm of politics and government. Numerous studies have indicated that women are less likely to think they are qualified to hold political office, even if they are. I am thrilled to be part of an organization that empowers women to jump-start their campaigns by giving them the resources and training necessary.

My internship has also bolstered my own political ambitions. Since high school, I have toyed with running for office one day in order to create positive change in my community. However, serving in elected office can sometimes feel impossible – a coveted position reserved only for a select privileged few. Interning at Emerge MA has demystified elected office – showing me – through the success of its diverse alums – that anyone can run, including myself. I am excited for the rest of my summer and hope to continue to learn pertinent skills that will enhance my professional political career.