Augustana College Student Explores DC's History and Gains Experience for Career at the Office of the Attorney General, Family Services Division

"I am currently interning with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. More specifically, I am interning with the Child Protection Services in the Family Services Division. The experience I have had thus far is incredible and truly indescribable. I wake up every morning looking forward to going to work, assisting the two attorneys I am assigned to, and learning as much as possible. The people in my office have gone out of their way to assure I am getting the most from this opportunity. They are eager to answer any questions I have and teach me any tool necessary to do my job well.

I am also taking two extremely beneficial classes at the Institute. One of my classes, Inside Washington, has allowed me to understand the dynamic of our government and our country. We have had field trips to the Capitol, upcoming field trips to the Pentagon, and have guest speakers almost every week that discuss popular issues in our society today. My knowledge in terms of politics has grown tremendously in the short time I have been here. The other class I am taking, our Internship Seminar, has emphasized the importance of networking and taught me many more skills in regards to earning a career in the future. With assignments like interviewing someone who works in a field we are interested in that we do not know in Washington, D.C., to constructing job specific resumes and cover letters, I have a much better understanding of how to successfully get to where I want to be some day.

The city itself is incredible. I truly feel the history every time I look around. The monuments are overwhelming and breath taking in all of the best ways, as are the museums and galleries. There are so many things to do I fear I will not be able to do them all in my time here, but I am definitely going to try.

I am so thankful for this opportunity and grateful I decided to put my fear of leaving home for ten weeks aside. I have grown as not just a student, but a person since I have been here and could not be happier I made the decision to do this fall internship."

-Haylie Arndt, Augustana College, Fall 2016 Intern at the Office of the Attorney General, Family Services Division