My summer as a White House intern redefined many parts of my life, but in a very literal sense, it gave me a new meaning of the word “humble.” When I applied, I was nineteen and wondering how I could possibly contribute to the work of our government. When I was chosen for an interview, I was shocked. When I was accepted, I was floored. The White House staffers who gave me the amazing news that day would teach me so much about committing to a team and never taking this opportunity for granted.
May 22, 2009, a date I will never forget, was my first day in the internship during one of the most exciting times to be in Washington. From my position in the Office of Legislative Affairs, I had a front row seat for so many different issues. President Obama and his legislative team were balancing health care, climate change, and then-Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation, among other priorities.
And while they were doing all this, they still found time to mentor me and bring me into their important work. My supervisors were professionals at the top of their field, respected Capitol Hill veterans and hardworking junior staffers. I assumed that kind of success made people arrogant and inwardly focused, too busy to help each other. But not at the White House: the Legislative Affairs crew was the most collegial, supportive group I had ever worked with.
Fonte: White House