Presidential Public Service fellows embrace life in the public sector
November 13, 2017 •
President Napolitano with (from left) UC Presidential Public Service Fellows Jesse Alcalá (UC Riverside), Alessandra Rea (UC Merced), Andrea Gurrola (UC Merced) and UCDC Executive Director Helen Shapiro at the UC Washington Center on Sept. 20, 2017. Credit: Cheriz Cajita
With less than a year until she graduates, UC Merced senior Alejandra Lamarque is gaining valuable, resume-boosting experience interning with the California Department of Education.
The political science major signed up for an internship through the UC Center Sacramento (UCCS). This fall she’s using her interest in education policy to help facilitate local implementation of Prop. 58, a new law that makes it easier for schools to offer bilingual education.
“It’s been really useful professionally to work on this project,” Lamarque said. “It’s something I can say I accomplished, and it doesn’t hurt that I get to put it on my resume.”
Students have access to a huge array of internship opportunities through both UCCS and the UC Washington Center (UCDC). Students intern with lawmakers, nonprofits, think tanks, journalism organizations and more. It’s a great way to test-drive a career interest while gaining valuable work experience.
Regular tuition covers most of the cost. And for students who worry that they still might not be able to afford it, the President’s Public Service Fellowship program provides competitive $2,500 grants.
Read more about this program and the current fellows.
