Liberal Arts Voices

Read the perspectives of our current students

Greetings from Capitol Hill

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As I began the ninth week of my internship, I thought back to all of the new experiences I have had just trying to get to work every day. I’ve commuted via the metro, I’ve commuted by bus, and, more recently, I’ve been driving into the city when parking is available. I’ve learned that the left side of the metro escalator is reserved for those who plan to walk (or run as I’ve done before to catch my evening bus). I’ve learned that yellow traffic lights indicate that traffic should speed up. I’ve also learned that traffic patterns are absolutely unpredictable. Much of this is new to me, however, the valuable learning begins when I arrive at Capitol Associates, Inc. each day.

On an average day, I work on summarizing Federal Register notices into memos for clients. Federal Register is the daily publication of rules, proposed rules, and notices of the Federal agencies and organizations. In summarizing the notices, I have learned about our bureaucratic system, the paperwork burdens, and also how we, as citizens, have opportunities to become involved in the activities of the Federal government. Most often, I am working with notices of proposed or final rules, collection of information proposals, or meeting notices. Each Federal Register notice that I have come across so far has provided instructions for public comments, and often, a designated time period for comments is required. As citizens, our voices can be heard by these agencies and organizations by submitting our thoughts on their given action.

On some occasions, I attend briefings, which for the most part are in regards to the health care reform law. I have attended health care briefings from a wide range of view points–conservatives’, liberals’, doctors’, small business’, community health centers’, etc. I am by no standard an expert on the health care reform, but I have had the opportunity to hear many sides of the argument regarding this historic piece of legislation. The law calls for as many as 540 provisions and will take years to fully enact. If you are curious as to how the law will affect you, you can now check out the recently released website at http://www.healthcare.gov/.

My internship is teaching me life lessons that I will carry with me forever. I spent most of my elementary and secondary education learning about the United States government and its three branches, as most students have. However, there is something about working in Washington, DC that brings those textbook pages to life. As Liberal Arts students, we are taught to question those who have come before us and encouraged to use our knowledge and enlightenment for the betterment of society. I think each of us has a responsibility to know our Congressman, vote in elections, and understand the current political issues at hand. As much as I have heard complaints that the Federal government has lost touch with its constituents, I think we have lost our sense of responsibility. We are fortunate enough to live in a country where our voices can be heard, yet how many of us take advantage of this freedom?

Capitol Associates, Inc. Intern

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My name is Amanda Craig, and I am a senior double majoring in International Politics and Sociology. After countless internship applications, I interviewed with Capitol Associates, Inc. (CAI) and was later offered one of its two internship positions for the summer. Thrilled with the possibilities, I headed south to Washington, DC.

CAI is a lobbying firm in Capitol Hill that specializes in areas of health, education, and human resource programs. The firm recently celebrated its 26th Anniversary (Congrats, CAI!). As explained to me, the commodity of a lobbying firm is information. My job for the summer would be to provide accurate, rapid, and reliable information from DC to clients located across the country. As someone who has always considered working in Washington, DC and who is extremely curious about the policy making process, my experience at CAI will be invaluable.

My first day of work at Capitol Associates, Inc. (CAI) was May 10–the Monday after finals week. On top of trying to study, I was trying to prepare for my first day. Looking back, I recommend three things for your first day on the job.

Do a test run of traveling to your internship location. For me, commuting by metro was new territory, so I took the metro into DC with a friend the Sunday before and learned how to switch trains to get to Union Station. I forgot my directions but remembered that Massachusetts Avenue led right to the office, so we found Mass. Ave. and started walking. The office should have been about 5 blocks away next to a park, but we didn’t see it anywhere. After a lengthy walking tour of DC, I learned that we took Mass. Ave. Northwest instead of Northeast. For those of you unfamiliar with DC streets, there is a quadrant system (NW, NE, SW, SE) with vertical numbered streets, horizontal lettered streets, and diagonal state streets. Needless to say, I learned the system quickly, and I am very grateful that I did not get lost on my first day of work.

Do learn names. You are going to spend the rest of your summer working with the people you meet throughout your first week. Take the time to learn their names. Don’t hesitate to carry a notebook and jot down names if you need to. Introduce yourself to others, and repeat their names after they introduce themselves to you.

Do ask questions. I was told this countless times, and it is so true. Many of us interns are entering brand new environments, so it is ok for us to ask questions. Better to ask now and know later.

I also want to share some advice that I’ve been given by the CAI staff. First, make a list of things you would like to do for your summer and actually do it. This is really big for me as I am a city full of opportunities. I’ve already toured the Capitol Building and Supreme Court. Second, diplomacy matters. Reach out and network as much as you can in your new position, but be aware of how you introduce yourself and ask things. I reached out to my Congressman, and within my second week, I had the pleasure of meeting him. Finally, get the facts. Our job as students is to challenge current research, rules, etc. As I gather research and write reports for CAI clients, I must back up what I say, check my sources, and know the whole story. For those of you who have opinions on the controversial Arizona immigration law, I challenge you to read the law. It is about 17 pages long, and shouldn’t you read it before you can judge it?

I hope this advice helps you as much as it has helped me in my first weeks of working as an intern. Know that no matter where you are or where you are going, a fellow Penn Stater is probably close by.

Liberal Arts Week 2010

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Liberal Arts Week 2010 took place last week after months of planning. As the chairperson of the event, I am proud to say we had a successful, interactive, entertaining, and educational week. Before I discuss some of the achievements of the week, I would like to thank all of the Liberal Arts and Penn State faculty, staff, and students who contributed to the planning and execution of our weeklong celebration. Without your help, such events would not be possible. The week is truly about community and bringing together various members of the college and campus to celebrate the values we share such as diversity, discussion, and knowledge.

We kicked off the week with a discussion panel on whether humanitarian aid should be increased. Our panelists consisted of Professor John Christman, Professor Cary Fraser, Liberal Arts student Samuel Settle, and Liberal Arts student Geoff Halberstadt. The discussion covered topics of foreign aid, the economy, and the disaster in Haiti. The panelists did a wonderful job in presenting diverse viewpoints on the subject matter. Each of them brought forth new knowledge that the audience could benefit from, such as the stories of Professor Fraser’s experience living in Haiti as a Human Rights Observer. The audience was able to interact with the panel and participate in the discussion as well. Before starting the event, we took the time to introduce not only the panelists but also those in attendance to allow for a more personal atmosphere.

The second event of the week–our Undergraduate Research Panel–was just as successful and has become a tradition of Liberal Arts Week. Our panelists for this event included Dean Denise Solomon, Director of the Survey Research Center Kurt Johnson, and Liberal Arts student Edward Schwab. Each of the panelists discussed their current and favorite research projects. Dean Solomon studies communication in romantic relationships, Director Johnson oversees many of the research projects ongoing at Penn State and has studied homeless adolescents in the past, and Edward Schwab is completing research within medieval studies. The panelists addressed ways in which undergraduates can become involved in research both independently and with faculty and why research is important when applying for graduate schools. Students in the audience were given the opportunity to ask the panelists questions and also mingle with the panelists after the event while sharing some refreshments.

What would have been our third event in the series, the Cultural Fair was cancelled last minute. Scheduling did not work out as expected for some of the participating groups, but we thank those organizations who had signed up and hope to have better luck next year.

The final event–our Team Trivia Night–ended Liberal Arts Week 2010 on a high note. Five teams competed for gift cards to the creamery including a Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council team, College Democrats team, and Liberal Arts Undergraduate Studies team. Subway was provided for the event, and the atmosphere was very fun and laid back. Lauren Perrotti and Geoff Halberstadt hosted the event and put together the slide show of questions consisting of Liberal Arts, Penn State past and present, and current events trivia. The questions were increasing more difficult and more valuable point wise in each of the three rounds, which allowed some teams to make a comeback.

Check out some photos from Team Trivia Night:

A wager question was also presented at the end, which stumped all five of the teams: This year marks Graham Spanier’s 15th year as Penn State President–what two other Penn State Presidents have served at least 15 years? Think you know? Join us next year if you’d like to find out!

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