Student, as part of the Truman School MPA degree, do an internship in preparation for a career in government, non-profit, or other areas of civic service.  Internships are done locally, nationally, and globally.   This past summer students served in government, research, and non-profits throughout the Midwest.  Through their experiences they gleaned a greater understanding of the challenges and realities of working to make better policy and improve society.   Here is what they had to say: 

Hannah Shupert '24

"Through my work, I act as one piece of the broader problem-solving apparatus at IPP. The projects I work on, and most IPP projects, are hierarchical, with each staffer serving distinct roles and contributing to different elements of the analysis. As such, each team member plays a vital role in supporting the success of each project and solving the problems encountered therein."  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Hannah

 
     
                                 Taylor  
Taylor Brooks '24

"I want to start by sharing the mission statement for the Missouri Attorney General’s office which is, “To protect and advance the interests of the state and its citizens through the judicial and legislative process and to serve as the People’s lawyer, fighting for openness and justice, especially for those who have no voice”. I would say this statement is pretty spot on regarding the mission of my office specifically. When it comes to values, I would say our office clearly reflects the values and goals of our leader Andrew Bailey. Those values include having integrity in the work our office does and emphasizing the importance of representing the interests of the individuals within the state and upholding the Constitution."  

 

 

    
Lukas Parrish '24

"The coolest project dealing with public policy that I get to work on is helping plan and facilitate the Jackson County legislative workshop. The goal of this workshop is to get all nine legislators on the same page to further effective policy making in Jackson County. As things currently stand, each legislator has their own policy agenda, which makes passing policy difficult if they are not on the same page of what needs to be accomplished. While that may not influence the policy process specifically, aiding — and in the process influencing — policy priorities will likely have a major impact on what focuses the legislature has over the course of the year. This project engages with the very initial stages of the policy process."

 

   Lukas

 

    
Cayley

 

  
Cayley Schmitt '24

"Leadership skills I hope to develop through this internship experience include improving my time-management skills, especially as a remote worker, and becoming a more professional communicator. Having strong time-management skills will help me to become a more focused, organized, and responsible leader. As for practicing professionalism in communication, for my project I will be speaking with clients over the phone, leading focus group conversations, and writing academic reports." 

 
     
Abigail Antesana '24

"This internship provided me with strategic management leadership skills because my team started to work on a new project with the Vocational Rehabilitation VR program. Conducting a new project and working at every step is a practical way to know how I can develop social programs. Also, I am gaining a better understanding of the procedures, tools, and guidelines in each step of the process to evaluate the results." 

 

   Abigail