Gaining valuable real-world experience through a professional internship is an integral component of the masters programs at Rockefeller College. Michael Borisade, Madelyn Czajkowski, Amnah Dhailia, and Liane Espino talk about their recent internships and how the experience has influenced their plans for the future.
Advertisement
MICHAEL BORISADE
Master of Public Administration, May 2022 intended New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS)
I completed my internship at the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) as an Administrative Student Assistant. The mission of OVS is to provide compensation to innocent victims of crime, their families, and other eligible individuals in a timely, efficient, and compassionate manner. We also fund direct services to crime victims and their families through a network of programs across New York State; and advocate for the rights and benefits of all innocent victims of crime.
This experience is fitting with my overall career intentions because I have a passion for public service. My concentration in the MPA program is Policy Process, Politics, and Institutions. Seeing how government-funded institutions help the community has been able to satisfy my passion and further encourage me to continue my education in the public service and management field. OVS has continued to encourage and challenge my educational aspirations and I’m forever grateful to this organization.
MADELYN CZAJKOWSKI
Master of Public Administration, December 2021 intended U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis
I worked in Washington, D.C. for two and a half months with the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, which is an element within DHS. The mission of I&A is to “equip the Homeland Security Enterprise with the timely intelligence and information it needs to keep the homeland safe, secure, and resilient,” which furthers the DHS mission of securing the nation’s borders and maintaining national security. I worked as an intelligence analyst, where I evaluated intelligence gathered by other organizations, such as the CIA or NCTC. My branch’s focus was on travel and immigration of terrorists, so after reviewing the intelligence, I would organize it into a short report and brief it to my leadership. My main task was searching for threats to the homeland.
In the future, I can see myself continuing on this path of national security/foreign affairs and continuing my work with DHS. I definitely feel more confident in pursuing a career with the federal government, whether that be with DHS or another federal agency. I can also see myself taking a foreign policy approach to my career, and seeking employment with agencies with that focus, such as the Department of State. I am very interested in travel and U.S. relations with other countries, so I would love a career that allows me to incorporate those into my job.
AMNAH DHAILIA
Master of International Affairs, May 2022 intended National Council on US-Arab Relations (NCUSAR), US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC)
I did a dual remote program for the National Council on US-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) and the US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) — both organizations work on improving relations between the US and the Middle East. My interest in interning with these organizations stemmed from my passion about Middle Eastern politics. As an Arab American woman I wanted to lend my voice and knowledge where it matters most and I believe that my work is best suited advocating and building bridges on both sides of my identity.
One of the highlights that I experienced as an intern was with USQBC, which was in the middle of building its business portal that I had a hand in constructing. We built a comprehensive and professional website to help familiarize any American business interested in joining with Qatar and vice versa. The portal included information on all sectors of business, from tourism to technology to agriculture, along with interesting information on major cities and areas of commerce in both countries.
I believe this experience has and continues to benefit me in many ways, not only from the expansive amount of knowledge and skills that I took from it, but also from the networking that I had made while interning.
LIANE ESPINO
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, December 2022 intended Division of Human Rights
I am currently completing my internship with the Division of Human Rights here in Albany. The DHR’s mission is to ensure that every individual has an equal opportunity to participate fully in the economic, cultural, and intellectual life of the State. The DHR was created to enforce the Human Rights Law, which affords every citizen “an equal opportunity to enjoy a full and productive life.” My role is to participate in the processing of discrimination complaints and observe first-hand how the Division investigates, prosecutes, and conducts hearings to determine if discriminatory conduct in violation of New York State law has occurred.
My goal after I graduate with my master’s is to enter the criminal justice/psychology field within prisons. Although the DHR is a little different, my investigative skills have gotten much better. My patience when it comes to others has improved as well. The DHR has opened a platform for me to be able to speak to individuals more efficiently as well as to be aware of the way people speak and what they say (pay A LOT of attention to detail).
