Overview
Goal after this is law school in the fall
- Analytic Paper: Write a paper in which you evaluate your internship experience using the developmental stages of an internship framework presented by Sweitzer and King. Your paper should:
- Summarize the developmental stages of the internship framework according to Sweitzer and King. (2 pages). Be sure to explicitly refer to concepts described in chapters 5, 10, 11, 12, and 14
- Evaluate your internship experience using the framework. In other words, explain your experience during each of the stages. Be sure to explain what the most valuable lessons you learned were, how you developed personally and professionally, and what you did to move to the next stage successfully. Be sure to also evaluate the usefulness of the framework based on your experience and offer suggestions for how the framework can be improved. (3 pages).
- Explain the impact that your internship experience has had on your career plans. (1 page)
The paper should be 6 pages (standard size 12 font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins). Be sure to use subheadings to break up your paper into various sections. Your paper will be evaluated on the basis of your knowledge and understanding of the concepts presented in the readings for this course. In addition, your paper will be evaluated on the basis of your ability to effectively communicate your knowledge and understanding of the material in writing
Introduction
Internships are an important part of professional and academic development because they allow students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world experiences. From February 3 through the end of April, I completed a remote internship with VICA, where I worked on legislative tracking, researching California bills, writing policy summaries, and analyzing public policy issues. The internship provided me with hands-on experience in government relations and public policy while also helping me develop stronger communication, analytical, and professional skills.
Sweitzer and King describe internships as a developmental process made up of several stages that students move through during their internship experience. These stages include the Anticipation Stage, Disillusionment Stage, Confrontation Stage, Competence Stage, and Culmination Stage. These stages explain how interns experience growth emotionally, academically, and professionally throughout the internship process. My experience at VICA reflected many of these developmental stages and helped me better understand both my strengths and areas where I still need improvement.
The Developmental Stages of the Internship Framework
The first stage of the Sweitzer and King framework is the Anticipation Stage. This stage is discussed in Chapter 5 and focuses on the emotions interns experience before and during the beginning of their internship. Students often experience excitement, nervousness, uncertainty, and concerns about whether they are capable of succeeding professionally. During this stage, interns begin adjusting to the work environment while trying to understand expectations and responsibilities. The chapter also explains that many students experience “what if” concerns about competence, relationships, and performance.
The second stage is the Disillusionment Stage, discussed in Chapter 10. During this stage, interns begin facing challenges and realizing that internships are not always as easy or ideal as they originally expected. Students may feel frustrated, stressed, confused, or disappointed when they encounter difficult situations, communication issues, or heavy workloads. Sweitzer and King explain that this stage is important because it forces interns to evaluate problems realistically and begin developing coping and problem-solving strategies.
The third stage is the Confrontation Stage. In Chapter 11, Sweitzer and King explain that this stage involves directly addressing challenges rather than avoiding them. Interns begin confronting fears, insecurities, and obstacles while taking responsibility for creating change within their internship experience. This stage focuses heavily on effort, confidence, communication, and problem-solving. Interns begin understanding that growth often requires stepping outside of their comfort zone.
The fourth stage is the Competence Stage, discussed in Chapter 12. This stage occurs when interns begin developing confidence in their professional abilities and feel more comfortable within the work environment. Students become more independent, productive, and self-assured. Interns also begin recognizing the importance and value of their work within the organization. At this point, responsibilities feel more manageable because interns have gained experience and stronger professional skills.
The final stage is the Culmination Stage, discussed in Chapter 14. This stage focuses on reflection, evaluation, closure, and future growth. Interns reflect on what they learned throughout the experience and evaluate how they developed personally and professionally. Students also begin thinking about how the internship affected their future career plans and long-term goals.
Evaluating My Internship Experience at VICA
My internship experience at VICA reflected many of the stages described by Sweitzer and King. During the beginning of the internship, I experienced many of the emotions connected to the Anticipation Stage. Since VICA focuses heavily on public policy, legislative advocacy, and government relations, I initially felt nervous about whether I would be knowledgeable enough to understand the policy issues and legislation being discussed. I also questioned whether I would be able to meet expectations professionally while balancing school responsibilities at the same time.
At the same time, I was excited because the internship closely aligned with my interests in politics, law, and public policy. I looked forward to gaining real-world experience and learning more about how organizations track legislation and influence policy decisions. Since the internship was remote, I also wondered how communication and collaboration would work in a virtual setting. However, I quickly began learning how legislative tracking worked and how to professionally research California bills and summarize policy information.
As the internship progressed, I began experiencing aspects of the Disillusionment Stage. Some of the policy issues and bills were more complex than I originally expected. Many assignments required careful reading, analysis, and attention to detail. There were moments where I felt overwhelmed by the amount of information involved in legislative research and policy analysis. Because the internship was remote, communication sometimes felt less immediate than it would in person, which occasionally made me hesitant to ask questions or request clarification.
One of the biggest challenges I faced during this stage was self-confidence. Sometimes I worried whether my work was detailed enough or whether my summaries met professional expectations. However, this stage taught me that discomfort and uncertainty are normal parts of professional growth. Instead of allowing frustration to discourage me, I started becoming more proactive and focused on improving my understanding of policy issues and legislative processes.
The Confrontation Stage became one of the most important parts of my internship experience. I began realizing that professional growth requires communication, confidence, and initiative. Looking back, one mistake I made early in the internship was not reaching out for clarification as often as I should have because I worried about bothering my supervisor. Over time, I learned that asking questions and communicating effectively are important parts of being professional and improving within a workplace environment.
During this stage, I also became more independent and confident in my abilities. I improved my research skills and became more comfortable analyzing bills and identifying key policy issues. I learned how organizations like VICA monitor legislation and advocate for business and economic interests. I also developed stronger professional writing skills through writing summaries and policy analyses. This stage helped me understand that internships are not only about academic knowledge, but also about learning how to adapt, communicate, and problem-solve in professional settings.
Eventually, I entered the Competence Stage. By the later part of the internship, I felt significantly more confident in my abilities and responsibilities. Tasks that initially felt intimidating became more manageable because I had gained experience and developed stronger analytical and professional skills. I became more efficient at legislative tracking and more confident in my ability to research and summarize public policy issues clearly and professionally.
This stage also helped me recognize the value of my work. Although I was an intern, I understood that my research and policy summaries contributed to the organization’s understanding of current legislation and policy developments. This gave me a stronger sense of responsibility and professionalism. I also developed better time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail throughout the internship process.
The Culmination Stage allowed me to reflect on how much I grew throughout the internship. Looking back, I can clearly see major growth in both my professional and personal development. I improved my communication skills, confidence, analytical abilities, and understanding of public policy and legislative processes. I also learned the importance of adaptability and self-motivation within remote work environments.
The Sweitzer and King framework accurately described many parts of my internship experience because I experienced emotional and professional growth during each stage. The framework helped me better understand that feelings of uncertainty, stress, and frustration are normal parts of internships and professional development. However, one weakness of the framework is that it does not fully address some of the challenges connected to remote internships. Remote work can sometimes create communication barriers and feelings of isolation that may affect interns differently than in-person experiences.
The Impact of My Internship on My Career Plans
My internship at VICA had a significant impact on my future career goals and interests. Before beginning the internship, I already had an interest in politics, law, and government, but the experience strengthened my interest in policy analysis and legislative work. The internship allowed me to see how advocacy organizations interact with government and how legislation directly affects businesses, communities, and public policy decisions.
The internship also helped me better understand the importance of research, communication, professionalism, and attention to detail in careers related to law and public affairs. Through legislative tracking and policy analysis, I developed valuable skills that will continue helping me in graduate studies and future professional environments. The experience reinforced my interest in pursuing a future career connected to law, government relations, or public policy.
Most importantly, the internship taught me that professional growth often happens during uncomfortable or challenging moments. Although there were times where I doubted myself or felt overwhelmed, those experiences ultimately helped me become more confident and capable. I now feel more prepared for future internships, law school, and professional opportunities because of the experience I gained through VICA.
Conclusion
Overall, my internship at VICA closely reflected the developmental stages described by Sweitzer and King. From anticipation and uncertainty to confidence and reflection, each stage contributed to my personal and professional growth. The internship helped me strengthen important skills such as communication, policy analysis, research, organization, and professionalism. It also gave me valuable real-world experience in legislative tracking and public policy work. Although the internship included challenges, those challenges ultimately became important learning experiences that prepared me for future success in law, public policy, and professional environments.