Research & Evaluation Intern
Office of Performance Evaluations
Office of Performance Evaluations
Finance Major
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
What are you doing this summer? This summer, I interned at an independent, nonpartisan office of Idaho's state Legislature, collaborating with a small team of evaluators to assess government agencies and programs. I conducted background policy research to support the team’s analyses, contributed to producing deliverables, and participated in informational interviews with stakeholders and department executives. I learned so much about different career paths through connecting with the team and other professionals in the industry, and had the opportunity to apply research skills and course concepts.
Hopefully you’ve grown both professionally and personally from this summer experience. Name one or two “life” lessons you learned and will carry forward after graduation. One life lesson I took away from this experience is that the best way to get the most out of any opportunity is to approach it with an open mind and a sense of curiosity. The more questions you ask, the more opportunities you’ll find, and you’ll learn about yourself in the process!
What has been the most memorable part of your experience? One of the most memorable parts of my experience was taking meeting notes for a state senator during a follow-up discussion on one of office's reports. It was one of the first meetings I participated in, and it gave me a glimpse into how evaluation work can impact meaningful change.
What advice would you give to younger students who are searching for summer opportunities?
You never know where your path may take you; sometimes it’s the most unexpected opportunities that spark your interests. My advice is to be open and apply to a range of positions, because what may feel like a detour in the moment could end up opening a whole new direction.