Cards with cool internships
Otterbein students took advantage of many different internship opportunities last summer, even traveling across the globe to do it. Read on to learn more about their experiences.
Williams goes to Washington Michaela Spangler ’21 Photos provided by Morgan Williams
M
organ Williams stood with one hand raised to her brow, squinting as she watched a squadron of jets zoom over the Lincoln Memorial. It was July 4, 2019, and Williams, a senior business management and journalism double major, was just one of the many in attendance for the Independence Day celebration in Washington D.C. However, Williams wasn’t just there for the festivities. She was there as a member of the White House Internship Program (WHIP), an opportunity she’d been dreaming of ever since she was 12 years old. She arrived in the country’s capital in May and had two days to acclimate to the new city before starting her internship. She spent the time scoping out the subway system and adjusting to life on her own, never once feeling nervous. It wasn’t long before she found herself in front of the Eisenhower Executive Building and touring through the White House’s East and West Wings with her fellow interns, standing where former presidents and first ladies had stood before her. She was almost immediately assigned to work in the Office of Presidential Correspondence, a position she grew to enjoy more throughout her months in the program. William’s division was tasked with handling specific mail for the office. “I’m so glad I got placed there because the people I worked with were phenomenal,” says Williams. “I’ve learned so much, and I wouldn’t have picked a different office now that I’ve been there.” On top of managing her day-to-day assignments, Williams also had the oppor-
12 April 2020
tunity to volunteer and attend different events held at the White House, including a meet-and-greet with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, volunteering at the Congressional Picnic and getting to tour the White House Press Room. While these experiences were among the most memorable, Williams also points out that it was the people who really impacted her throughout her time with WHIP. “I think one of the biggest takeaways from the internship is that it’s just important to go talk to people,” says
Williams. “You can learn something from everyone, and you should take advantage of that when you can because you never know when you’re going to meet that person that’s going to be so helpful to your career.” Before she knew it, Williams was heading back home to Ohio to prepare for fall semester classes again. She’s now back at the Ohio Statehouse, working to make a difference on a local level. However, no matter which direction she goes, you can bet she’s going to keep her memories from this summer with her, fueling her passion along the way. ■
