Spring 2013 Internship Report

Internships and career-building experiences are vital learning opportunities that complement your college education, allow you to experience different career paths, and build your résumé. When keeping in touch with the department, John Miller ’12, currently in his first year at Harvard Law School, had this to say:

In other words, internships are very important. The Political Science Department strongly encourages all of its majors to actively pursue these kinds of experiences, particularly after freshman year. Don’t forget to consider our semester internship program with The Washington Center in the nation’s capital. Many of our students do undertake great internships and career-building jobs during their time at Adelphi. Here are some highlights about where students are currently interning and working.

Valerie Cardona ’13: I have been interning as a research assistant at the Urban Justice Center since last semester. There are several different projects in the office; I was assigned to the Homelessness Outreach and Prevention Project. I helped my supervisor gather data on Temporary Assistance to Need Family (TANF) reports nationwide and assisted the legal advocates in going through litigation for several of their cases. I’m currently helping them proof a book that they’re releasing in the upcoming month.

Maria Kozak ’13: I am a legal intern at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection on the legal floor. I help organize the paperwork and start the files for it to go to the environmental control board to be litigated. I also work at the Writing Center on campus.

Edwin Maldonado ’13: I am currently interning for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (in the Melville office). I handle and facilitate constituent concerns from Nassau and Suffolk County. I also participate in Island-wide events alongside the Senator in various capacities including days of service at Island Harvest or press conferences where she introduces pieces of legislation she is bringing to the U.S. Senate.

Mahnoor Misbah ’14: This year I was given the honor to serve as one of the two Youth Representatives to the United Nations from Adelphi University. As the youth representative, I am responsible for attending UN Department of Public Relations and Non-Governmental Organization briefings every Thursday that are held at the United Nations building. I get to hear panel discussions on crucial issues the UN is involved in, such as sustainable development and access to education for girls. I’m fortunate enough to listen to these discussions and work with other representatives from across the globe in getting the youth voice heard on issues we are passionate about. For more information about my UN experience, check out the Adelphi and UN blog: http://blogs.adelphi.edu/united-nations/.

Linda Naumann ’14: I’m currently a Collections Intern at the South Street Seaport Museum, having been there since last September. Some of my tasks included working with the objects, whether to research a particular artifact or get it ready for an exhibition. I’m currently involved in the process of re-inventorying the entire collection. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with the curatorial department and art handlers in the installation and de-installation of several museum exhibits.

Aleksandra Pinkhasova ’13: I am a part-time clerk in the Civil Division at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York where I assist Assistant U.S. Attorneys with trial preparation, legal and non-legal research, and administrative work. The Office’s wide range of cases dealing with affirmative and defensive litigation, such as civil rights, healthcare fraud, financial fraud, and environmental enforcement, keep the job interesting and busy.

Sarabeth Rangiah ’13: As an intern for Senator Gillibrand (in the Manhattan office), I act as constituent liaison and handle cases pertaining to Social Security, disaster relief, 9/11, social services, housing and healthcare issues. In addition, I am in contact with government agencies and officials that can provide the proper aid for the constituents I correspond with. My internship also requires me to be on top of current legislation so I can manage databases. Senator Gillibrand’s internship grants me exposure to real life issues people cross the state of New York are currently facing and has allowed me the privilege to actually make a difference in the lives of the constituents I work with. I am grateful for being endowed with firsthand experience of what it is like behind the scenes of state policy-making.

Jonathan Zaccarini ’14: I am an intern at the non-profit organization The Common Good, which strives to inspire broad participation in our democracy through the free exchange of ideas and civil dialogue. I have helped plan out events for speakers. I have worked on their website, and I am currently in the process of helping them create a new website page, which features the organization in the news. This organization mostly plans events for speakers on current issues. Recently, The Common Good had Captain Mark Kelly (Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford’s husband) speak about gun control. I was able to meet well known individuals who make a difference in this world through politics, such as Trudy Mason (NY State Democratic Committee Woman). This month we are working on finding Middle Eastern experts to come in and discuss foreign issues in the Middle East. I have learned a lot about utilizing social media for a non-profit organization and creating and organizing events.