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鈥淲orking as a legislative intern in the personal office of U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer was an exciting and sometimes overwhelming four months.鈥� So begins Gianna Romano鈥檚 final assignment for Prof. Tony Carrizale鈥檚 MPA Internship class.

We caught up with Romano, who works as a legislative aide for the New York State Assembly, for a debriefing on her internship, which took place from September through December last year. 鈥淚 most enjoyed the feeling of being part of an organization that is so multifaceted,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur federal government is the U.S. Congress; working in government, it doesn鈥檛 get better than that. And putting the senator鈥檚 name on my resume was a good feeling. It was truly an honor to work for such a prolific legislator.鈥�

As one of about 30 interns in Schumer鈥檚 office, Romano鈥檚 duties were, she writes, 鈥渦nderstandably limited to mostly menial tasks, so keeping yourself available to any opportunity was key.鈥� Romano says she reached out to Schumer鈥檚 aides in housing and health care policy, 鈥渁nd probably went to a hearing or briefing at least once a week.鈥� After attending these sessions, she drafted memos that summarized the proceedings.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Romano felt her MPA coursework helped her on the Hill. 鈥淚n the back of my mind, I had the core pillars of public administration 鈥� such as transparency and accountability 鈥� that are really important in an office setting. I think I lived up to the expectations of my supervisors by employing those MPA standards.鈥�

Do her future employment plans include moving to D.C.? 鈥淵es. I was excited to come back to Albany, but working at the state level isn鈥檛 quite as far as I鈥檇 like to go in my career,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y office is aware I鈥檇 like to go back to D.C. after this legislative session. Then I will definitely get my resume out to offices on the Hill.鈥�

The most important lesson learned during her internship, Romano said, is 鈥渢o be humble. You have to realize that, while your position is important, you鈥檙e not above anyone else and shouldn鈥檛 act as if you have a higher status. You never know who you鈥檙e talking to, it could very well be a member of Congress.鈥�