Participating in Parliament:

Jaime Green '08 interns in Belgium

I interned in the office of Livia Jaroka, a member of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. My primary duties were writing summaries for reports, doing research on different issues, attending committee meetings and taking notes, drafting articles and speeches, and working on amendments to parliamentary reports.

My internship was an amazing, invaluable experience. I was able to improve my research skills, and I learned a lot about the policymaking process and how ideas are turned into legislation. I also learned what it is like to work in an office environment, how to write professionally, and how to deal with the press.

I would recommend Albion students try to find an internship that really interests them. Once you are there, do not be afraid to ask questions about assignments you are given. Do your best to get to know your coworkers because they give you great insight and can serve as contacts for you in the future. Most importantly, just have fun and try to learn as much as you can. Internships give you a great perspective about what a job is really like, and help you decide whether you would enjoy working in a particular job. An internship looks great on a resume, gives you real world knowledge, and helps you become more independent.