UCDC: Q&A with Amanda MacQueen

Amanda MacQueen is a senior from Saugus, California, double majoring in history and political science with an international relations emphasis. She plans to earn a master's degree in international relations in preparation for working abroad. She participated in UCDC in fall 2005.

Q. Why did you decide to spend a quarter at UCDC?

A. I spent last year (2004-2005) abroad in Italy, and I loved it and wanted another experience away from UCSB. In addition, I wanted to build my resume for grad school and future work.

Q. Please describe your internship.

A. I am an intern for Congresswoman Jane Harman, who is ranking member on the Intelligence Committee and also serves on the Homeland Security Committee. I sort through constituent mail and send back responses. I do research for various senior staff, go to committee hearings and senate hearings, and take notes and draft memorandums of the proceedings. I give tours of the capital, run errands, and basically do anything that needs to be done.

Q. Did your internship or UCDC experience help you to focus your life or career goals or your plans for graduate or professional school?

A. Yes. I got hands-on information about what it's like to pursue a job in the government and have gotten advice from people who work there about what grad schools would be appropriate for what I want to do.

Q. How did your UCDC experience expand and enrich your undergraduate experience at UCSB?

A. Well, you are first experiencing a high-paced environment of competitive and very bright people. You learn how to cope with changing environments. You are in contact with people who will most likely be very useful in networking in the future and can give you valuable advice because they have been in your shoes.

Q. Is there any other advice you'd like to share with honors students considering applying to UCDC?

A. I would say do it. There are so many internships in DC that you do not have to be interested in government to find something that interests you. My roommate in DC worked for the Smithsonian doing research in archeology and loved it. Also, I think everyone should experience leaving a comfort zone and living in a big city simply to know if it is something you can handle in the future before you commit to a job in a city like New York and then get there and realize the city life is not for you. Finally, UCDC looks amazing on your CV.

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