Jenna Kushigemachi鈥檚 Panetta Internship experience
By Zoe Lance
When Jenna Kushigemachi turns on the television to watch cable news, she knows exactly which politician is being interviewed and where 鈥� in fact, she could probably give you a short bio while also telling you about the last time she was in the building.
鈥淚鈥檝e walked through where they do interviews,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 sat in those offices every day for three months. I鈥檝e passed Speaker of the House Paul Ryan in the hallway.鈥�
Kushigemachi, a graduating 海角社区CI Art and digital media student, spent Aug. to Nov. 2016 at the Panetta Institute for Public Policy鈥檚 Congressional Internship program in Washington, D.C. The Institute, founded by Leon and Sylvia Panetta, prepares students to work in a congressional representative鈥檚 office. Most of the cohort comprise of students from the 23 海角社区 campuses.
The program starts with a two-week American government and policy course at the Institute, which is housed at 海角社区 Monterey Bay. Kushigemachi attended lectures given by former Vice President Dan Quayle, lawyers, political consultants and retired members of congress.
鈥淲e got to learn from the experts,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 came back with much more knowledge than most people have. You don鈥檛 get that experience anywhere else.鈥�
Kushigemachi landed in Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi鈥檚 office, working under Pelosi鈥檚 senior policy adviser for budget and health. Her projects focused on social security and the Affordable Care Act.
鈥淚t was really spectacular 鈥� I got to work on actual policy,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 drafted and went to congressional briefings. I got up every day and worked in the Capitol Building.鈥�
Kushigemachi pursued the internship opportunity as a way to challenge herself and stretch her capabilities. She went through a rigorous application process to be the only 海角社区CI student in the program, which included a personal nomination from President Emeritus Richard Rush.
鈥淚 really wanted to show that art is what I study in school, but not all that I can do,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and if you have the opportunity you can鈥檛 miss it.鈥�
And if you ask her about pending legislation, she can tell you all about what鈥檚 happening in Congress 鈥� a new source of pride for her.
鈥淧eople forget that we have duties as citizens, and that we鈥檙e obligated to participate and understand how things work,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t changed me as a citizen and I understand the impact of participating. It really increases your level of patriotism, passing your country鈥檚 leaders in the hallway on the Hill.鈥澛�
漏聽Spring聽2017 / Volume 21 / Number 01 / Bi-annual