Hamilton students migrate south for the summer, leaving one Hill for another, and Maura Kernan '08 was one of several Hamiltonians interning in Washington, D.C. this summer. While some of her classmates worked in senatorial offices, Kernan had a position with the Department of Labor in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, where she worked as a research assistant under the directorate of science, technology and medicine.
Kernan's main responsibilities dealt with processes related to emergency response, specifically hurricanes. She was involved in hurricane preparation activities, such as editing hurricane safety publications, preparing a refresher course for emergency management and tracking day to day actions in preparation for hurricane landfall.
A returning D.C. intern, Kernan was well-prepared for the experience of living and working among lawmakers. Last year she did similar work with the Employment Standards Administration in the Department of Labor and she said that she was ready for "the great opportunities thrown my way."
Like many of her peers, Kernan enjoyed the activity of working in the capital. "As an intern in Washington, you are privy to many experiences you do not have anywhere else," she said, adding that "people in Washington are aware of the interns' presence in the summer and they put in extra effort to network." As a government major and environmental studies minor, Kernan was also happy to work in a field which related so well to her academic interests. "I got first-hand experience with the federal government and I was able to see how policy is influenced and subsequently implemented," she said.
The movement from Hamilton's academic bubble to the real world can be a bit of a shock sometimes. Kernan, who was able to stay with her family in Washington, admitted that it was difficult to adjust to a standard work schedule. Although there were benefits; "it sure is great when you get home from work at 5 and don't have anything to do until 9 a.m. the next day," Kernan said.
Kernan has enjoyed her summer and the opportunities her job has presented, from networking to learning to use the office equipment. To future interns, the experienced government employee emphasized the importance of applying for numerous positions and taking advantage of as many connections as possible. "Internships are extremely competitive, and I think any student's best chance is to apply to as many as possible," said Kernan. Having been selected out of a pool of 1,300 applicants for her position, Kernan knows what she's talking about.
The rising senior looks forward to her last year of college, during which she will serve on the executive board of Alternative Spring Break. She hopes to pursue a career in law.
-- by Lisbeth Redfield
Kernan's main responsibilities dealt with processes related to emergency response, specifically hurricanes. She was involved in hurricane preparation activities, such as editing hurricane safety publications, preparing a refresher course for emergency management and tracking day to day actions in preparation for hurricane landfall.
A returning D.C. intern, Kernan was well-prepared for the experience of living and working among lawmakers. Last year she did similar work with the Employment Standards Administration in the Department of Labor and she said that she was ready for "the great opportunities thrown my way."
Like many of her peers, Kernan enjoyed the activity of working in the capital. "As an intern in Washington, you are privy to many experiences you do not have anywhere else," she said, adding that "people in Washington are aware of the interns' presence in the summer and they put in extra effort to network." As a government major and environmental studies minor, Kernan was also happy to work in a field which related so well to her academic interests. "I got first-hand experience with the federal government and I was able to see how policy is influenced and subsequently implemented," she said.
The movement from Hamilton's academic bubble to the real world can be a bit of a shock sometimes. Kernan, who was able to stay with her family in Washington, admitted that it was difficult to adjust to a standard work schedule. Although there were benefits; "it sure is great when you get home from work at 5 and don't have anything to do until 9 a.m. the next day," Kernan said.
Kernan has enjoyed her summer and the opportunities her job has presented, from networking to learning to use the office equipment. To future interns, the experienced government employee emphasized the importance of applying for numerous positions and taking advantage of as many connections as possible. "Internships are extremely competitive, and I think any student's best chance is to apply to as many as possible," said Kernan. Having been selected out of a pool of 1,300 applicants for her position, Kernan knows what she's talking about.
The rising senior looks forward to her last year of college, during which she will serve on the executive board of Alternative Spring Break. She hopes to pursue a career in law.
-- by Lisbeth Redfield
