Over the last 100 hours of my internship, I became more involved professionally and personally within my organization. My interactions with staff, mentors, and fellow interns had evolved. I regularly participated in meetings where I was encouraged to contribute ideas, ask questions, and offer feedback. These interactions helped me build confidence in communicating with professionals in public health, policy, and community outreach. I also had the chance to observe how leadership within the organization managed projects, engaged stakeholders, and coordinated across departments.

As an intern, my duties included tracking policy proposals and analyzing legislation that my delegates were championing. I drafted newsletters that my delegates emailed to their constituents. I contributed visual content by taking photos to highlight the delegates’ community involvement. I also had opportunities to sit in meetings and listen to what constituents thought about individual bills. I was able to ask questions and receive input.

Throughout this period, I gained extensive knowledge about how public health and policy interact. I learned how legislation is introduced, debated, amended, and passed, and how this process impacts real communities. I also had the unique opportunity to sit in on meetings where constituents voiced their support or concerns about specific bills. These moments were powerful reminders of how community voices can shape policy outcomes. Moreover, I learned the value of time management, attention to detail, and teamwork in a fast-paced, politically charged environment. This experience confirmed my interest in health education, health advocacy, and policy, and gave me the tools to continue advocating for underserved communities in my future work.