A Day in the Life of a Legislative Intern
By TOM SHORTELL
High schooler Danielle Caruso spoke with a woman who wanted to voice her concern about welfare check recipients. The woman on the phone had drug testing done for her job and wanted to know if welfare recipients had to have drug testing and if not, why.
Caruso, who will enter her senior year at Ocean Township High School, began investigating the matter. She called the woman back and told her no, it isnt done, and it would be illegal to begin the practice.
It was a violation of the 4th Amendment, Caruso said.
 Danielle Caruso and Brandon Kelley review documents with Assemblyman Dave Rible and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini. |
Just another day in the life of a legislative intern.
Caruso is one of eight interns working at the New Jersey Legislature District 11 office in Wall Township.
Interns at the office do a wide array of jobs, ranging from answering constituents concerns to researching inquiries to manning the phones to preparing for press conferences, said state Sen. Sean Kean.
Theres no shortage of work around the office, he said. We wont just have an intern sitting in the corner, stuffing letters.
Interns are often the first people constituents speak with about their problems or views when they contact the office. Sometimes were not on the front lines, and the interns are, Kean said.
As a result, interns are often the ones getting the most praise from constituents, the senator said. People send flowers and gift baskets to show their appreciation, Kean said, before adding they sometimes send him some, too.
Kean interned at the office of John Bennett, the former state legislator of District 12. Kean said it was a valuable experience for his political future. The best training you can have is working in a legislative office, he said. Many people enter office without having worked with or for a legislative office, he said, so the internship gave him a head start in some regards.
The work has inspired Caruso and another local intern to look into careers in public office.
Brandon Kelley, who graduated from the University of Mary Washington this year, has changed his plans for the future because of his internship.
The Ocean Grove resident graduated with a major in English and had a few different ideas about what he wanted to do for his career. Now Kelley has a clearer idea.
I want to pursue a Masters in public administration, he said.
Kelley said he became interested in public service as a career after he helped a constituent get a parking spot in front of his house.
Thats what really won me over, seeing I could help people with my job, he said.
Caruso still isnt sure what she wants to major in when she goes to college, but political science has become another interest after her work this summer. I definitely want to look into it more, she said.
Caruso said she took the job because she wanted to learn more about the political system. I actually kind of wanted to get something in politics and an office setting, said Caruso, who is on the Ocean Township swim team. I could have gone to the beach and gotten a lifeguard job.
Kean and his office, which he shares with Assemblyman Dave Rible and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, are looking for interns for the fall.
Generally speaking, we want younger people interested in how legislative offices operate, Kean said. Its a great program because the people that come in really get involved and really learn.
District 11 residents interested in working as volunteer interns can call the office at 732-974-0400.
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