Caitlyn Abragan
Hi there! My name is Caitlyn Abragan and I am a third-year student studying Conservation and Resource Studies here at UC Berkeley! I participated in UCDC during the Fall of 2023 and I was a developmental intern at the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA). NWRA is a non-profit environmental non-governmental organization that advocates, fundraises, and protects all of America’s wildlife refuges and the species that call it home. As a developmental intern, I closely worked with and assisted the Director of Development on donation campaigns (I was able to lead and create their Giving Tuesday campaign all on my own!), grant proposals and applications, contacts/relationships with current and prospective donors, and write blog posts about a variety of topics (conservation, current events, refuge stories, and more).
My time in DC was nothing short of amazing. It was a marvelous opportunity to be able to experience so many remarkable things: the professional world and interacting with individuals within that realm (so many career field events hosted by UCDC and other organizations), a new change of pace (I genuinely loved the 9-5 work schedule more than a college schedule), exploring historical and landmarked places (amazing and safe transportation system, huge zoo, and free museums!), and so much more.
Don’t hesitate to send me an email with any questions/concerns about UCDC or my time there. I’d be happy to meet with you via Zoom or in person. Cheers to DC and go Bears!
Raquel Lopez Blanco
Hi! My name is Raquel Lopez Blanco and I am currently a fourth-year senior majoring in Sociology (on the pre-law track). I participated in the UCDC program in Spring 2024, and it has been one of the best experiences I’ve had in my four years at Cal! I had the privilege of interning at the American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration, where we worked with detained individuals from detention centers all over the country. Each day, we helped provide resources and legal orientations to callers with a wide range of immigration issues. Not only was this an incredible learning/professional experience, but it was also an extremely rewarding one. If I could do it again, I most definitely would.
While the program emphasizes the professional experience, there is also a lot to do and see in the beautiful city of DC! I would be more than happy to share with you my experiences, from monumental walks to my favorite cafes. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! My email is ralb2@berkeley.edu and I look forward to meeting you all!
Arianna Laolagi
Hi everyone! My name is Arianna Laolagi and I am a senior studying Legal Studies and Public Policy. I was part of the Spring 2024 Cohort and can confidently say that this program has been the highlight of my college experience. I served as a Digital Communications & Press Intern in the House of Representatives for Congressman Dan Goldman, the representative of New York’s 10th district. My responsibilities in this role included keeping the Congressman and his office informed of local, national, and global current events, drafting press releases and social media graphics, working closely with his Constituents, and conducting Legislative Research. UCDC gifted me the freedom to fulfill my dream of working on Capitol Hill, doors away from my personal heroes, while completing a full semester’s worth of courses with incredible professors.
This opportunity solidified my career path to one that is dedicated to public service. The relationships I formed with my cohort, the discipline I gained from my internship, and the connections I made with my supervisors and peers were invaluable. I recommend this program to anyone and everyone who is willing to get out of their comfort zone. As I enter my senior year, I truly understand how short four years are, and I am grateful that I made the leap of faith and found my passion and a part of myself through the UCDC experience.
If you have any questions at all about the application process, the internship search, or want to learn more about what to expect in DC, please do not be afraid to reach out. We are here to help!
Roxana Orozco
Hi everyone! My name is Roxana Orozco and I am a third-year student majoring in Legal Studies and minoring in Child Development and Rhetoric. I was part of the Spring 2024 cohort and am excited to share my experience in DC with you.
I interned for a non-profit organization called Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE). AJE is a community resource center for families and children with special needs living in or around the DC area. I interned alongside 6 other UCDC students. Our tasks included transferring legislation and government regulations of children with special needs into accessible one-page flyers. We’d usually complete this task on Canva and then post it on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, or X. We would also join the program manager on community outreach events and create executive summaries about AJE’s projects to add to the AJE website.
Aside from my internship experience, I had so much fun living in the UCDC center and exploring the surrounding area. The center usually hosts professionals from in or around the DC to discuss their career endeavors. These evening events were particularly insightful because they taught me about the various career fields within the public sector service. Despite being new to DC, I learned a lot from my peers, professors, and most of all, my internship experience.
If you are, at all, interested in UCDC, I’d be more than happy to answer any lingering questions you may have. Feel free to email me at roxana.orozco@berkeley.edu to set a meeting.
Michael Plancarte
Hey everyone! My name is Michael Plancarte, and I am a fourth-year student studying Legal Studies and Public Policy. I participated in UCDC during Spring ‘24 and interned at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). My time at the White House was nothing short of amazing, and I loved my experience working on all matters related to Artificial Intelligence policy. My portfolio allowed for me to gain exposure, and contribute to, how the executive branch is tackling the future of AI. It was also super cool to go bowling at the White House, eat a ton of candy at the Easter Egg Hunt, and give my family a tour of the building!
Outside of my internship, I had a great experience living in Washington DC. From attending as many networking events as I could to just exploring and experiencing the city with friends and family, my time in DC was the most memorable and enjoyable semester I have had while at Cal. Please don’t be shy to reach out if you have any questions or if you just want to talk about everything you can experience in DC. I am more than happy to chat in person or online!