A Shameless Plug of My Summer's Awesomeness

Even with a pretty rocky start, my internship at the Heritage Foundation in D.C. has been incredible.    My impressions during the first few days of the internship were a pretty accurate portrayal of how the summer would go.  The last ten weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement and learning, but I’ve grown a lot in my research skills, made incredible friends, and eaten way too much free food. 

You can continue for a more detailed description of my summer, or scroll down for more aesthetically pleasing representation (aka pictures).

Over the summer, I worked in the Center for Data Analysis (CDA).  CDA is responsible for most of the statistical research that Heritage policy relies on.  The most valuable part of this internship has been working on policy issues that are part of the current political landscape.  My long term projects are still under wraps, but I’ll be sharing that research as it gets published!

Shorter term projects involved different blog posts on issues like taxes in Obamacare and crazy union shenanigans.  I’ve done smaller research projects that have been passed onto congressional offices to support things like the Raise Act and whistleblower protection statute for union employees

The biggest benefit in the research I’ve done was my supervisor challenging me to figure it out on my own.  I have grown immensely in my statistical capabilities, as well as my understanding of STATA, an important statistical software package.

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My experience at Heritage has solidified my love for DC and the work that is done in the conservative movement to preserve our country’s greatness. After the SCOTUS decision about Obamacare, the director of CDA, Bill Beach, said something that sums up my feelings about working at the Heritage Foundation.  He said that when we’re 80 years old and in rocking chairs, we can tell our kids we did our best to leave them a country we’re proud of. 

On top of the phenomenal time at Heritage, I’ve had a wide variety of other experiences.   In just one week, I met Ron Paul, met Dr. John Taylor, went to the Congressional Baseball game, watched the SCOTUS decision on Obamacare, watched the House vote Holder in contempt of Congress, visited Mt. Vernon (where I learned about the 4^th of July!), went to a DC-United match and survived a massive thunder storm.

I’ve also been blessed to be involved with a fantastic Catholic community at St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill.  Through Bible studies and other fellowship-building activities, my faith and friendships have deepened.  Being in DC during the Fortnight for Freedom was also an incredible experience because DC is the heart of the policy decisions for this country.   

Some highlights in pictures:

This was pre-getting lost in a rain storm and walking an hour to find dinner.  

Fabulous CDA interns, the best and brightest (and only) that James has ever supervised.

The Summer 2012 Intern Class.  Check out who's next to Dr. Feulner!

My friend Jonathan is ensuring my aim gets better every time I'm in town.

Ron Paul cheering on the Republicans at the Congressional Baseball game.

Cardinal Wuerl after the Fortnight for Freedom celebration.