Magen David Yeshivah High School Student Shares Summer Internship Experience
David Alfaks
This summer, I have been working in Senator Sam Sutton’s office, and it has been a truly enriching experience. At first, I was nervous about meeting the Senator, but he was friendly and funny, and I am trying to learn as much as I can from him. When I am in the office, I do work that makes a difference, whether that is fielding phone calls and problem-solving within the district, or trying to come up with ideas of legislation to propose to the Senator.
Each day that I am in the office, my fellow interns and I answer calls from constituents in the district, and these calls range from figuring out how to attain a half-fare MetroCard to mediating on behalf of community members and companies like Con Edison. This part of the job is definitely exhilarating but also makes me nervous because with each call, the problems vary, so I never know what to expect and might be asked about a term I’ve never heard of before, but luckily, my supervisor is always in the office helping us if we need it. Answering calls might not seem like a big job, but in fact, answering calls will prove to be beneficial to my future self since I am practicing my communication, quick thinking, and problem-solving skills.
One of my favorite parts of the job is networking. The Senator’s team has been taking us to meetings and introducing us to people in the field of politics and law. I have met so many interesting people, like Jason Koppel and Judge Gina Abadi. Throughout these meetings, they both have told me their journey to achieving the role they have today. For example, before Jason Koppel was the Northeastern Political Director of AIPAC, he had worked in the State Senator’s office for quite some time (like me), but then he decided that even though he enjoyed his job at the Senator’s office, it was time to move on. Judge Abadi spoke to my fellow interns and me about her job and let us observe in her courtroom. It was fascinating seeing her remember every court case and be privy to her thought process on every decision she has made in her cases. The most notable part of my visit to the judge was hearing about her journey of perseverance and resilience. She spoke to us about her reluctance to become a judge, thinking she didn’t know enough, but her mentor encouraged her to try and she listened. Now she is an awesome judge, inspiring countless others in this community. The people I have met are giving me such valuable advice and information for my future, and I am soaking up every word.
My time in the Senator’s office is one I will never forget, and I will continue to use the lessons I have learned in the future. It has proved to be a great experience, and if you are a student interested in politics or law, I highly recommend it. I am grateful for this opportunity and for Magen David Yeshivah High School for setting me up for success.
