This article is the first in a summer series highlighting the different pathways students take to complete the college’s field experience requirement.
Alyssa Randall
Internship with Lyke Law in East Lansing, MI
Major: Politics, Rights & Culture
Minor: Spanish
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
What were some of your regular responsibilities during your internship? Drafting legal documents, taking notes in court and helping with campaign activities.
What kind of public affairs issues or problems did your internship focus on? The legal system and campaigning for a circuit court judge.
Which JMC skills showed up most clearly in your internship? Writing, critical thinking, how to use performance to improve outreach.
How did the experience shape how you're thinking about your future career path? I definitely want to be a lawyer.
Isaac Smith
Internship with the Mayor’s Office in Lansing, MI
Major: International Relations
Minor: European Studies, Russian Eurasian Studies, Russian Language
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
What were some of your regular responsibilities during your internship? Writing proclamations for the mayor and corresponding with officials in Congress.
What kind of public affairs issues or problems did your internship focus on? Constituent issues and the wellbeing of the city.
Which JMC skills showed up most clearly in your internship? I write and rewrite everything I do, which JMC has prepared me for.
How did the experience shape how you're thinking about your future career path? I would rather have a diplomatic experience in my work instead of a local sphere.
Divya Thirukumaran
Internship with the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Lansing, MI
Major: Social Relations & Policy and Economics
Minor: Political Economy
Expected Graduation Year: Fall 2026
What were some of your regular responsibilities during your internship? Under the Executive Office of Governor Whitmer’s Scheduling and Advance Team, my responsibilities included:
- Coordinating gubernatorial events by managing logistics and communicating with internal offices, local officials and community partners to confirm event details and logistics.
- Preparing briefing materials for the Governor through attendee research, movement planning and event preparation.
- Supported advance operations by reviewing venue layouts and vetting attendees, while collaborating with the Governor’s security detail and communications team to coordinate media coverage, assess event-related risks and identify potential negative press issues prior to events.
- Providing on-site event support, including setup coordination and troubleshooting to ensure successful event execution.
- Maintaining and organizing Excel databases tracking over 500 event requests and logistics, while managing professional email correspondence to facilitate team communication and organization.
What kind of public affairs issues or problems did your internship focus on? My internship focused on a variety of public affairs issues affecting Michigan residents, including housing affordability, literacy and education, infrastructure improvements, economic development, gun violence and natural disasters. Through the Governor’s public events and visits, I observed how the administration communicated policy priorities and engaged directly with communities impacted by these issues. During Governor Whitmer's final year in office, the administration placed a strong emphasis on literacy, housing and infrastructure improvements, so many of the events I helped coordinate highlighted these initiatives.
The internship also exposed me to how the government responds to urgent public affairs challenges. When natural disasters, severe weather events or community tragedies occurred, our team often had to coordinate logistics for gubernatorial visits on short notice. In cases such as mass shooting incidents or other emergencies, we worked with local officials, affected parties, security personnel and communications staff to facilitate the Governor’s attendance and ensure that the administration could respond effectively to community concerns.
Which JMC course, assignment, professor or discussion helped prepare you? MC 375: Contemporary Developments in American Politics with Dr. Bergan was especially relevant because it examined how elected officials use their institutional power and public platforms to frame issues, shape public opinion and advance policy goals. Throughout my internship, I saw these concepts play out in real time. As part of the Governor’s Scheduling and Advance Team, much of our work involved planning events that highlighted a particular aspect of an issue and communicated the administration’s priorities to the public, the media, and lawmakers. For example, if the administration was focused on literacy, we might organize visits to schools and reading programs; if housing was a priority, we would coordinate groundbreaking ceremonies for new developments. These events were opportunities to draw attention to specific policy issues, influence and shape media coverage, and signal the Governor’s priorities to both constituents and legislators.
How did the experience shape how you're thinking about your future career path? This internship reinforced my interest in public service and helped me better understand how policy is translated into action. Before the internship, I was primarily interested in policy and legislation. This internship showed me that successful policymaking requires more than passing legislation. It also depends on public engagement, strategic communication and strong relationships with communities and stakeholders. I also gained a greater appreciation for how elected officials use their platform to draw attention to important issues, build support for policy initiatives and respond to the concerns of constituents. The experience helped me see the connection between policymaking and public outreach and strengthened my interest in a career related to government, public policy or law.
Natalie Marinik
Internship with CAD-HR: Centre for the Advancement and Development of Human Rights in London, England
Major: Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy
Minor: Business, Philosophy & Law
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
What were some of your regular responsibilities during your internship? Drafting legal paperwork, conducting legal research, assisting clients one-on-one with their legal needs, curating the social media networks for the company.
What kind of public affairs issues or problems did your internship focus on? Mainly immigration, housing and human rights issues.
Which JMC skills showed up most clearly in your internship? My writing skills and experience conducting research.
JMC course, assignment, professor or discussion that helped prepare you?: MC 271: Constitutionalism & Democracy with Prof. Ben Lorch was instrumental in improving my writing skills.
How did the experience shape how you’re thinking about your future career path? The experience has provided me with opportunities to observe and correct ongoing issues within our world today. With a focus on human rights, my internship provided a framework to base my personal drive upon.
Anna Stone
Internship with Bradford White in Middleville, MI
Major: Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy
Minor: Business
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
What were some of your regular responsibilities during your internship?: Review legislation, research codes across the country and participate in meetings with organizations such as North American Manufacturers.
What kind of public affairs issues or problems did your internship focus on?: Climate issues, energy and water quality.
Which JMC skills showed up most clearly in your internship?: Analytical thinking!
How did the experience shape how you're thinking about your future career path?: It’s introduced me to the private sector of government and how it impacts companies.
Renna Robinson
Internship with the District Court of Maryland, District 6 Montgomery County in Rockville, MD
Major: Social Relations & Policy
Minors: Business, Women’s and Gender Studies
Expected Graduation Year: 2028
What are some of your regular responsibilities during your internship? I prepare bond and protective/peace order dockets by reviewing case histories, police reports and court records, and identifying the information most relevant to the judge. I also observe court proceedings and assist with urgent research involving legal motions and procedural issues.
What kind of legal issues or public problems does your internship focus on? My internship focuses on civil and criminal law and the day-to-day work of the court system. Through trials, hearings and other proceedings, I see how courts balance public safety, due process and the fair administration of justice.
Which skills from JMC showed up most clearly in your internship? Critical thinking and analysis are skills I use every day. Whether I am researching legal rules and applying them to motions or thinking through the strengths and weaknesses of an argument, JMC has helped me approach complex problems thoughtfully and from multiple perspectives.
Was there a JMC course, assignment, professor or discussion that helped prepare you for this work? Prof. Rojo’s classes pushed me to be a more precise writer. Learning how to communicate complex ideas clearly and include only the most relevant information has been incredibly helpful when preparing case materials and summaries for the judge.
How did the experience shape your interest in law school or legal work? This experience strengthens my interest in law by showing me how legal analysis shapes real-world decisions. It confirms that I enjoy the research, problem-solving and attention to detail that legal work requires, while giving me a deeper appreciation for the impact lawyers and judges have on the lives of others!