Inside Internships Profile #2- Marci Mauch

As college students continue to work through a semester of coursework, some of them can now say they have worked internships in professional atmospheres.  In an effort to capture these valuable experiences and share them with other internship-seeking students, I am continuing a post series on Joe’s Musings called Inside Internships.  Our first Inside Internships post featured Phil Bastow, a junior studying accounting.  My hope is that you will learn how students found and prepared for their internship as well as skills acquired on the job.  Our second student is Marci Mauch, a senior studying accounting and finance at the University of Kansas.  Over the summer, Marci interned at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. for Congressman Huelskamp.
 
There is an enormous amount of information available through Career Centers and internship search engines regarding internships.  How did you find your internship at the US House of Representatives?



I found my internship through a news website (ksallink.com) for my hometown.  There was an article that said Congressman Huelskamp was looking for interns for his offices in D.C., Salina, Dodge City, and Hutchinson.  The article discussed how to apply, so I did.  

 

What was the best thing about your internship?



The best thing about my internship was how much I learned! 

 

One of the core purposes of an on-site work experience is to equip you with the skills necessary to succeed in your career. What are three skills you acquired or refined through your internship?

 

Three skills I refined through my internship were writing, public speaking, and researching. 

 

Every internship is different because agencies have vastly different missions, work environments, and leadership.  What is one advantage and one disadvantage of doing an internship at the US House of Representatives?



One advantage of doing an internship at the U.S. House of Representatives is that there is always a very knowledgeable speaker to listen to.  For example, I got to hear Colin Powell speak at the Intern Lecture Series. 



I cannot think of a single disadvantage to my internship.  I had a great experience, and I do not have anything negative to say. 

 

Many students don’t know that you can acquire college credit for completing an internship, even if you landed a paid position.  Did you elect to receive college credit?  

 



I did not elect to receive college credit.  



In one sentence, what advice would you give to students seeking to intern? 
 


Learn as much as you possibly can.