Allison Snare: Working with Impact
Through Santa Clara University and the Leavey School of Business, I have been honored with the opportunity to intern at the Office of San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo for the 2018-2019 school year. Specifically, I have been given the title and role of Policy Research Intern. The Mayor’s office does not just house the literal mayor’s office and his immediate staff, but also hosts a number of individuals responsible for understanding the economic, environmental, financial and educational future of San Jose. Working in the beautiful San Jose City Hall, an eighteen story building in the heart of downtown, has been nothing short of an out of body experience - walking into work each morning, I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that I have something to contribute to the mission of improving the lives of people in the San Jose community.
As a Policy Research intern, it is my job to support the professionals that familiarize themselves with the constantly evolving world of social policy, who then inform the mayor of their key recommendations. Although my job title holds a certain sense of ambiguity behind it, I have already experienced the amazing freedom and opportunity that this position holds.
In my first two weeks at the office, I began to explore my interest in land use policy, which encompasses areas such as modular housing, ADUs (accessory dwelling units) and opportunity zones. After having completed multiple internships, it has been incredibly refreshing to feel valuable and impactful almost immediately. In fact, for someone who would have previously classified myself as politically ignorant, I have been surprised by the comfort I feel in the political environment and how quickly I have found myself thriving in the fast pace of the city government.
As I look towards the next several months in this position, I hope to continue to familiarize myself with core political issues. In being surrounded by the incredibly informed and intelligent members of the City’s policy team, I feel myself soaking up their political acumen, and I cannot wait to see how I grow as a politically informed member of our country, especially during this particular moment in history.