Hometown: Hastings, MI
Major and class standing: Humanities Prelaw, Senior
Where you interned: Ionia County Public Defenders Office, Ionia MI
What was your internship title and role/responsibilities?
Office Intern responsible for assisting paralegals and attorneys in trial preparation. This included handling legal documents, scheduling appointments for clients, and attending both district and circuit court hearings.
How did you obtain your internship? What resources did you utilize to secure your internship?
I used Handshake to search for internship opportunities. I applied to the position and then connected with the office’s chief attorney.
What did your daily routine include?
The office was open 8:30-5, and my daily tasks included assisting the paralegals any way they needed during that time. I would contact clients to notify them of court dates and schedule appointments, and update the legal system we used. I would run to the mailroom across the street at 10:30 and 2:30 in the courthouse. Additionally, I would attend hearings in both district and circuit court, and would take legal notes.
Your favorite experience from the internship?
My favorite experiences from the internship included any time I was tasked out to do something random to help the team. I was also allowed access to private office information including case police reports and body cam footage. I enjoyed reading through these cases, and learning about their outcomes. It recognized it as an opportunity to learn from past examples.
What was your least favorite part of the internship?
My least favorite part of the internship was my responsibility to answer all phone calls. I have never felt extremely comfortable talking over the phone, so it makes sense that I disliked this.
What skills did you learn and/or build upon during your internship?
I learned how to pushed past discomfort with unfamiliar tasks. I am a guilty perfectionist so I dislike when I am new at things. I think it is a skill to trust yourself as a professional. This internship experience helped me gain confidence in my abilities.
What did you learn about the industry or your career path as a result of the internship? What are your future plans?
I learned that there are many paths to choose from when navigating a legal career. While I may not seek to continue on in a defense office, I recognize its importance to the community. I plan on attending law school following my graduation, aspiring to pursue a career as a JAG.
What advice do you have for other students seeking out internship opportunities?
I would encourage students to research greatly and take their time selecting to internship they want to apply for. That being said I think it is important to differentiate your experiences. By doing that you will learn more about a variety of career paths and yourself. I would tell students to journey into the uncomfortable, as we are far more capable than we know.
