Intern Success Stories

The Rebovich Institute first stuck out to me as a senior in high school when my friend asked me to come along with him to attend an event where Dinesh D’Souza would speak. Joining the Rebovich Institute at Rider University has permanently transformed the beginning of my college career due to the experiences I have had with individuals heavily involved in our political process. Since the start of my internship at the Monmouth County Republican Committee this summer, I have had the privilege of working on prompting many local campaigns as well as Kim Guadagno’s race for governor. I’ve been joined by other young interns who share my passion for participating in the political process. Moreover, this whole experience has pointed me towards the direction that will help me succeed in my future professional life. On that alone, I am grateful and humbled by this opportunity and guidance offered by the Rebovich Institute.

This summer I interned with Hoboken Strategy Group, a boutique government relations and social media marketing firm, located in Hoboken, NJ. I was able to get real world experience in both of my majors, political science and public relations. I designed websites and drafted social media posts for nonprofit government organizations, researched legislation, and visited the state house lobby on behalf of various clients. This invaluable learning experience would not have been possible for me without the help of the Rebovich Institute. Through the institute’s network the firm’s president reviewed my resume and granted me a phone interview. The Rebovich Institute also provided me with a fellowship of $1,500 which allowed me to accept the unpaid internship and further my career goals without having to worry about having money to pay for the fall semester. I had the summer of a lifetime at my first internship all because of the knowledge, connections, and passion for helping students one gets at the Rebovich Institute. It was truly #MyRebovichSuccess.

The internships that I did this summer are steps towards a career. There is no doubt that the Rebovich Institute has helped me in getting these internships and in having a greater understanding of how politics is present in everyday life. I interned at Assemblyman Dan Benson’s office where I responded to constituents on legislative and community matters. I also interned at the Broad Street Strategy, a political fundraising and database management firm headed by Theo Siggelakis. Because of this internship I have a chance to start a new company with him in which we would handle political candidates fundraising compliance. The Rebovich Institute helped me in refining my resume and then securing these internships.

The Rebovich Institute for NJ politics has allowed me to obtain an internship with State Senator Joe Vitale and Assemblyman Craig Coughlin, both representing New Jersey’s 19th Legislative District. Not only was I trained in how to make the most of my internship, but I also received a Rebovich Fellowship that made it much easier for me to afford this unpaid internship. By obtaining this internship I’ve been able to start networking and opening career doors in New Jersey Politics. I’ve been able to learn “hands on” about what it takes to work inside government and I experienced the democratic process up close and personal. By continuing to be a part of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics and securing more internships I will be able to meet even more people, thereby expanding my network. I will also be able to gain more experience and learn new things by getting more internships. By having this vast network and obtaining real world knowledge I will hopefully obtain a career post-graduation.

My internship with State Senator Jeff Van Drew’s team has changed me in several ways. I now have a deeper and more concise appreciation for the legislative process. Everyone in the office is incredibly knowledgeable and encouraged me to go above and beyond expectations daily. I have had the opportunity to attend many meeting and community events. The Rebovich Institute helped me immensely with securing the internship and training me for it and then providing me with a scholarship so I could afford to do it. I cannot wait unit I get to experience more internships before graduation!

I have often heard that getting good jobs are about who you know, and without the Rebovich Institute I’d have known no one. Not only was I given an array of choices to pick from but I was then provided with guidance and initiative on how to get the internship. Since then Professor Dworkin's classes on Internship Preparation has allowed me more confidence I can do my job properly. This summer has been a great experience for me and one I wish to pursue next year as well.

In 2017, I was the summer intern for Suffolk County (NY) Legislator Tom Cilmi of the 10th legislative district. I learned about the governmental structure and the inner-workings of New York State’s largest county. I also attended meetings with both the legislator and his three legislative aides all across the county. Every Friday this summer, all interns met at the County Administration building in Hauppauge, NY to work with other county leaders and clerks. The previous experience I had during my freshman year interning with the Rebovich Institute and attending events across New Jersey and at Rider taught me how to present myself when speaking with local political leaders from my area. Also, the language and way my resume was written with the help of Dr. Dworkin last year was also looked favorably upon by the legislator and his aides when deciding to choose me to be the summer intern for the office.

I am currently attending Rider University where I am pursuing a degree in Environmental Science, with a minor in Sustainability. As an eco-representative for Rider’s Office of Sustainability, I’ve been inspired to pursue a path in environmental protection and conservation. So this summer I secured an internship with the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Education Fund’s Green in ‘17 campaign. It’s given me the opportunity to interact with New Jersey’s gubernatorial candidates and see where they plan on leading New Jersey environmentally in the near future. By awarding me the Rebovich Fellowship in Science/Technology and Politics the Rebovich Institute gave me the opportunity to explore this field of environmental protection and sustainability, and to witness firsthand the uphill battle for the conservation of New Jersey’s precious and fragile environment.

My internship with Robert Quinn's campaign for New Jersey General Assembly in Legislative District 17 has had a big impact on me so far. Working with a very small campaign team, I have direct access to the candidate and my campaign strategies and ideas often turn into things that are implemented. I have learned an incredible amount already about running a campaign, and without the Rebovich Institute taking the time to prepare its students in making the most of their internships, I would not have gotten nearly as much out of this internship, or any others that I have had or will have.

Freedom From Fear is a nonprofit advocacy organization that was founded in 1984 for individuals who suffer from mental health illnesses. Its mission is to positively impact the lives of those affected by mental health disorders through advocacy, education and research. My summer intern experience there was incredible. I had opportunities that I didn’t think were possible as an undergraduate. I advocated for the importance of receiving mental help to the community by making booklets about dealing with anxiety and depression and helped film and edit a movie about hope and courage in the face of mental illness. In addition, I got hands-on exposure in therapy session with patients, which was a wonderful supplement to my classroom learning. My summer experience was elevated because the Rebovich Institute, which helped me to gain a deeper understanding of public policy. Working in the community to advocate for a particular change, especially in the mental health world, is not easy. However, with the help of the Rebovich Institute, I have challenged myself to get more involved with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which advocates for public policy issues that affect adults and children living with mental illness and now I feel like I’m making a real difference.

It is always nerve-wracking to try and find an internship for the summer, and sometimes all you can do is hope for the best. Luckily, the Rebovich Institute helps to relieve that anxiety. It is a great resource to help find internships for the summer. I was fortunate enough to be put in contact with the campaign manager in New Jersey’s 2nd legislative district. By doing this competitive campaign I am able to see politics through a new lens that will help me be even more well-rounded for my future career aspirations.

I spent my summer interning in New Jersey’s 38th legislative district, splitting time between the legislative office of Assemblymen Tim Eustace and working with the district’s campaign manager. This internship has given me the incredible insight on New Jersey’s legislative process, the relationships legislators have with their constituents and the behind-the-scenes work that it takes to run a strong campaign. I am a journalism major hoping to cover government and politics one day, so I am certain the firsthand knowledge I have gained will be useful to me in the future, especially as I go on to intern for a daily newspaper in Fall 2017. The Rebovich Institute helped spark my interest in government and politics during my first year at Rider and now I have the Rebovich Institute to thank for equipping me with strong connection and giving me the push I needed to break into the field.

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to intern in State Senator Diane Allen’s office. It was a pleasure to have a chance to know everyone in the office, who welcomed me fully. I was able to enter the Senator’s office with confidence and excitement thanks to the training provided by the Rebovich Institute. Each day, I learned something new and felt prepared to meet the challenges presented to me. As the weeks passed, I became more adept at corresponding directly with constituents as well as collecting in-depth research on a variety of topics. I am so grateful for this chance to expand my experiences and bring what I have learned from Rider University and the Rebovich Institute into the real world. This internship has helped me to feel more confident in the direction I want to pursue for my future.

This summer I had the opportunity to intern at the Phil Murphy campaign for governor. When I joined the campaign, I knew it would allow me to make important networking connections that will help me later on in my career. My role in the campaign seemed small, but it became clear to me that it was crucial to the overall success of the campaign. In addition, I have been assisting my neighbor who has decided to run for mayor of my hometown. My hope is that this internship turns into a permanent position on gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy’s team, and if candidate Murphy is able to secure the governor’s seat there might be some opportunity for me to work in his office. Both of these opportunities have given me useful knowledge about campaigns and how they are run. Had it not been for the Rebovich Institute, I would have never met Murphy during the speech he gave at Rider where this all started.

Even though my time being involved in the Rebovich Institute has not been too long, it has changed the way I interact with people and given me skills that will help with future political networking. The program is full of caring, devoted teachers that give insight on important topics and new agendas being brought forward. Having the backing of the Rebovich Institute has allowed me to further my current internship for Ileana Schirmer for State Senate and given me opportunities I am very grateful for.

With the help and knowledge of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics, I was able to secure a government internship that corresponded with my major, Homeland Security. My Summer 2017 internship experience was with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Center Of Excellence. The experience allowed me to understand what takes place in real world situations and other events. The success of the department relies on timely coordinating, planning and communicating with other agencies in field of emergency management. In this sector of government relations, policies and procedures are also an extremely critical role for the states overall success following any manmade or natural disaster. I had the opportunity to compose government documents, handle legislative concerns and issues with veterans, attend various management meetings with ESF-6, NJOHSP, HSCOE, understand various computer systems that are involved with the success of the National Guards mission, as well as obtained more training from both departments that will help me develop as an individual, a professional, a leader and a suitable candidate in the field of Homeland Security after graduation.