Name: Amanda Blatz
Class Year: 2023
Major: Economics and Russian
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Internship Organization: The Borgen Project
Job Title: Political Affairs Intern
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Award: Jean Sovatkin Picker Fund
What’s happening at your internship?
Every week I am working on a wide-range of tasks. I typically spend a lot of time researching different bills and learning the background history of these bills. With this research, I then work on presentations on why my local Congressional leaders should support these bills. I also use this research to urge other constituents to become an advocate for this specific bill. Moreover, I also spend a lot of time working on fundraising efforts. Whether this be writing letters, sending emails, or just talking with The Borgen Project supports, I have been able to connect with many people and learn why they support the organization. Overall, my role within The Borgen Project has allowed me to learn and try many new things.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I have always been really interested in foreign policy and I hope to find a career in international relations. I have also always been very interested in the US political system. Specifically, one area that I have always been very passionate about is how the U.S. can use policy to combat global poverty through domestic legislation. The Borgen Project’s mission is to end global poverty. Their purpose as an organization is to make poverty eradication the forefront of U.S. foreign policy. Along with the intersection of my interests, I believe this approach is very unique to global poverty reduction. Also, I applied for this internship because I really liked how hands-on the program is. Although I have specific tasks to complete, I have total freedom on how to execute those tasks. Overall, I applied because I felt that this organization valued their interns and wanted them to promote change and learn along the way.
Was there anything special about how you found this internship?
Before I was working with The Borgen Project, I had been following their work and had been reading their magazine for years. I had always really liked their approach to lobbying and what they stood for as an organization. Their intersection of charity and political activism is very different from most major organizations. Once I learned they offered different internship programs, I decided to apply.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
I enjoy many aspects of my internship; however, my favorite part of my internship is the broad range of tasks I get to work on. My role within the organization is directly tied to lobbying efforts in the state of Ohio and sometimes Pennsylvania. This role means that sometimes I get to work with other interns on collaborative projects, such as creating a presentation to present to Senators’ and their staffers, brainstorming and leading fundraising efforts and more. Another aspect that I particularly enjoy is planning and hosting local outreach programs. These programs range from getting a certain number or people to call, email, or write a letter to their Representative and Senators or creating lobbying videos of numerous people urging their Congressional leaders to support a bill. I have also had the opportunity to work with other organizations, such as local Rotary Clubs, to increase support for The Borgen Project.
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.