Working in Councilmember Conway ’ s office over the summer has been a profound experience in many ways . One of my main responsibilities was constituent services , which meant that I got to interact with the residents of our district on a daily basis . Whether it was with a short phone call or an hour-long visit to their house , I can honestly say that I met a new person and heard a new life story every day . By having conversations with people who have been living in Baltimore for decades , I developed a new appreciation of the city and its history . By talking with constituents who are facing enormous difficulties such as being cut off from food stamps , being moved out of affordable housing , or dealing with the financial impacts of losing a family member , I saw first-hand the impact that all levels of government have on people ’ s lives and their livelihoods . By talking to civil activists and community leaders , I understood the importance of political engagement and advocating for change on a local level . Overall , I was very inspired by many of the people I got a chance to meet , and I now have a much deeper appreciation of the Baltimore community .
A big lesson I took away from constituent services was how important it was to listen . Many people I talked to were genuinely surprised that anyone in government cared and wanted to help ; it was a sad reality after decades of politicians neglecting certain communities . Resolving some issues can take a long time since they involve many different agencies and regulations . In the meantime , listening to residents ’ concerns and showing an understanding was an extremely important first step . Apart from constituent services , I also had the opportunity to work on legislative research , outreach , and other government initiatives . I always knew that I wanted to work in government and politics , and this internship strongly reaffirmed that career goal . Having the chance to sit in on City Council hearings or be in the room when legislation was being debated was an unforgettable experience . For these reasons and many others , I will always cherish this summer and I hope to take the lessons I learned to continue to be involved in our Baltimore community .
Helped manage constituent services by answering phone calls , emails , and voicemails , and connecting constituents with the relevant government agencies
Aided in the organization of community engagement initiatives such as a town hall , a farmer ’ s market stand , and “ Community Days "
Conducted research for legislation , compiled a press list , wrote blurbs for the office newsletter , and attended City Council hearings
Developed a personal end-of-thesummer project that examined the mass incarceration crisis in Baltimore and presented potential solutions
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