Internship Spotlight – Emily DeBolt, US House of Representatives

Emily DeBolt is an intended Economic and Political Science major set to graduate in the spring of 2023.  This summer she interned in the office of Congressman Denny Heck in the United States House of Representatives.

What was a typical day like?

Every day looked different. It was great to be able to work on a variety of projects over the summer. Every morning my supervisor would give the other interns and I projects to work on ranging from attending briefings to making phone calls.

What was your favorite part of the experience?

This was my first internship so I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially since it was virtual. My goal for the summer was to learn everything I could about the work behind the scenes. My favorite part of the experience was seeing my work pay off. Knowing that I helped the office do something meaningful was the most rewarding experience.

If you worked on a big project, please describe it below:

As an intern, I was able to recommend the Congressman cosponsoring H.R. 645, the Automatic Voter Registration Act and H.R. 732, the Census IDEA Act.

What advice do you have for other students looking for a similar experience, or advice for future students to be successful?

My advice to other students is to work hard because it will be noticed. I was able to get this internship at a young age because I had good grades and was involved in clubs/organizations on campus. During my interview, I was able to express to my supervisor that I was willing to work extremely hard and learn as much as I could over the summer. If there is an internship or experience you want to try, you can make it happen.

Anything else you would like to share about your summer experience?

Overall, I will never forget this internship and I can’t wait for my next internship.