“Hello, My Name Is ______.”
When people hear that I’m actually a drama major with an emphasis on directing, their response is usually both amusing and aggravating. Verbally, they say, “Oh, okay. That’s nice.” Physically, it’s more along the lines of, “And you’re interning with a lobbyist organization? Good match there, kid.”
I’m a sophomore at Bennington College in Vermont. Instead of having classes in the months of January and February, we have “Field Work Term.” This winter term allows students to intern anywhere in the world, as long as it’s a legitimate organization and the student connects this internship to their concentration. Most people seem to be afraid to ask why I didn’t just intern with some regional theater or, considering the short distance between Bennington and New York City, one of the hundreds of drama related organizations there. Basically, I didn’t want to do that. I would much rather spend my Field Work Term doing things I’m not already learning in college but would contribute to my studies overall.
I learned of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network from interviewing a few of their plaintiffs and members a little over a year ago for a freshman project. When thinking of an organization with which to intern for Field Work Term, SLDN was one of my first choices. Considering my concentration, along with eventual minors in photography and anthropology, a communications internship at a non-profit organization in D.C. dealing with gay rights seemed like a great fit.
The most important aspect of my internship is that I actually believe in what they’re doing. I actually believe that this organization is helping to better America. These people are helping to bring us a nation of greater equality—and I fully believe they will achieve it.
--Jared Goza
To learn more about SLDN and it's internship opportunities, click here.
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01-17-08
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