Mary G. S. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Name: Mary G. S.
Major: English
Class: Graduate MS
Internship Title: Communications Specialist
Internship Site: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

What was your role?
As a communications specialist, I am responsible for a wide variety of tasks. On an average day, I write or edit press releases and then send them for web launch, coordinate the release of various media, design web portals, and attend too many meetings.

What was the most rewarding aspect of your internship/research experience?
The first time one of my press releases was published, I was so proud. I emailed it to my whole family saying, "This is what I came to Washington to do!"

What is/was one example of a challenge you faced? Why?
On my first day, my supervisor took me to a senior staff meeting. Walking into a room with the top 25 directors of the EPA, I felt horribly intimidated. They used so many acronyms, I could barely understand what they were saying. Finally, when my supervisor introduced me, I could barely speak - it was all very embarrassing.

How has this experience affected your future plan?
At the end of my first day, my supervisor sat me down and explained everything. While being so intimidated made me want to run home to New York, I realized that I wasn't expected to know everything on my first day. I also realized that I didn't want to be an acronym person - I want to build my career in an area where I work with the public. Prior to my internship, I thought I wanted to work with policy, but after those terrifying meetings, I learned that I like communications and publications.

Did you utilize any of the skills you learned from your classes for this experience?
The most valuable skill I learned from class is public speaking. I never took a public speaking course, but simply discussing/defending topics in an academic setting has enabled me to confidently propose a plan to a room of my colleagues.

What else did you learn? Additional comments?
I learned that once you leave the university setting, no one corrects your grammar - they just judge you it.