Have you ever thought about moving across the country for the summer but were afraid of the major commitment and change that comes with moving? I thought the same thing when I decided to apply for Texas A&M’s Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program last December. I was worried about leaving College Station, my graduate program, and the things I could potentially miss over the summer. Thankfully, I took a leap of faith and decided to follow through with an internship working for Congressman Michael Cloud in our nation’s capital, and I haven’t looked back since!
Last semester, I took ANSC 637, Food Safety: Policy, Regulations, and Issues, with Dr. Kerri Gehring. This class really sparked my interest in agricultural and food safety policy and led me to apply to intern in Washington, D.C., this summer. I was hesitant to apply for an internship in an area I had little to no experience, but I was reassured through the ANRP program that this is what internships are for! Learning new things, making mistakes, and growing as a professional are just a few of the things you can learn from interning on Capitol Hill.
I am thankful for my time in D.C. so far, and I look forward to what will come in the future. Leaving Texas for the summer was the best decision I have made from a career standpoint. After completing my graduate program, I am considering looking into future job opportunities in agricultural policy. Stepping outside my comfort zone has allowed me to push myself to learn and experience new things. My family always told me growing up, “You don’t get better when you are comfortable,” and that statement has never been more true!
Things I have gained from this internship in just four short weeks:
- Networking Opportunities
- Professional Development
- Gaining knowledge in my policy area of interest
I encourage anyone that may have the slightest interest in applying for the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program to do so. Sometimes doing new things can be uncomfortable, but the feeling that comes with maturing and learning new things that make you more marketable in the workplace far outweighs that initial feeling. Now I will leave you with a question, will you apply for that internship you have been thinking about next summer?
Lauren Lee
Office of Congressman Michael Cloud
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.
