From NCC to Harrisburg: One Student's Story
By Karen Trebitz
October 30, 2009
I am a full-time student at East Stroudsburg University, a single mother, and a self-employed horseshoer in the Pocono Mountains area. Yet somehow I decided I could fit an internship in Harrisburg into my hectic life. You might be wondering if I'm nuts. Yes, actually, I probably am. But my experiences while earning my liberal arts degree at Northampton Community College have motivated me to take advantage of all learning opportunities. Besides being a graduate of NCC's Leadership Class, I was an officer in Phi Theta Kappa, Student Governance, and other clubs. I had the privilege to be on the first collaborative course to Turkey with the College. The supportive atmosphere at NCC whetted my appetite for learning and leading.
I applied to participate in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), this internship is a unique opportunity to learn about the inner workings of our state's government. Interns are interviewed and placed in a sponsoring office or agency in the state capitol. Additionally, they attend a weekly writing-intensive seminar and must complete a thirty-plus page researched policy analysis paper. Students earn a $6,500 stipend, fifteen credits, interesting connections and invaluable experience. On average, there are about fifteen students in THIS every semester. They come from the fourteen state universities.
Now that everyone is sure that I am really insane, let me tell a little about my internship. I work in the LORL office - the Legislative Office for Research Liaison. The office provides non-partisan research to answer specific queries from legislators. I have worked on questions about towed cars, vacant school buildings, transit revitalization plans, small games of chance, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. I learned to find acts, bills, statutes and codes and how to reference them. I call other state agencies for specific information and clarification of policies. Perhaps my biggest challenge is organizing all the information into some clear and concise written answer that is accurate and understandable.
There are many opportunities that have arisen from the internship. We are encouraged to attend meetings and conferences. I was invited to the Pennsylvania State University for the Agriculture Science Research Tour because it fits in with my major in environmental studies. One class assignment was to interview our state representatives. I accompanied Senator Lisa Boscola to the taping of a live call-in program at the Pennsylvania Cable Network. I have a lunch invitation from my local House Representative Mario Scavello. A classmate met former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice at a dinner; another will be helping to host the British Delegation. Yes, definitely exciting!
THIS required a lot of advanced planning. It took weeks of work, and it was a challenge to get all the required documents by the deadline. Thanks to Professor Anastasakos for writing one of my recommendation letters. Resumes aren't that easy to create and tailor, so a visit to Career Services was on my "to do" list. In spring I begged out of classes for Interview Day. During the summer I arranged for a place to stay in Harrisburg, bought a cell phone, and put together a business wardrobe on my meager budget. On weekends I go home and work for a living (moonlighting is discouraged in THIS, but I have no other financial means). I am also researching graduate schools, scheduling campus visits and studying for my Graduate Record Exams. Nuts? Oh, yeah!
After just one month, I would sum up The Harrisburg Internship Semester as an irreplaceable life experience. Wondering what to do when you leave NCC? Grab those opportunities and hold on for the ride!