Rona Lasam
Hi everyone! My name is Rona Lasam (they/she), and I am a third-year student studying Political Economy. I participated in UCDC last semester during Fall 2024 (yes, during election times). I interned at AsylumWorks as a Development and Communications Intern. AsylumWorks is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to help asylum seekers and other underserved newcomers living in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. In this role, I worked closely with the development team to assist with fundraising campaigns and communications content.
The UCDC opportunity helped me solidify my career interests in working with the immigrant population and continue exploring social work. Still, it also was a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It gave me the confidence to learn about myself and my capabilities. Despite the program’s focus on internships and courses, there’s ample time to explore the city and meet amazing people in your cohort. The UCDC program is a great way to build a network and a sense of community. D.C. is a city full of opportunities, and most activities are FREE! I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to step out of their comfort zone and grow professionally and personally.
If you have any questions about the application process, securing an internship, or D.C. in general, please do not hesitate to email me! I am here to provide you with the support and guidance you need. I’ve been through the process and understand it can be overwhelming, so I’m here to help in any way I can!
Allison Nguyen
Hi everyone! My name is Allie Nguyen and I’m a third year Legal Studies major. I was in the Fall 2024 cohort and I’d love to talk to you about my experience!
I was a Public Interest Law intern for a whistleblower law firm called Kohn, Kohn, & Colapinto. KKC is one of the top firms in the US specializing in protecting whistleblowers. Some of their clients include FBI agents who exposed weaknesses in counterterrorism programs and international bankers who reported billions of dollars in monies held in illegal offshore bank accounts. I worked one-on-one with the attorneys on research and writing articles, landmark cases, and key policy work seeking to expand whistleblower protections. My supervising clerk and attorneys were great mentors and gave me the opportunity to clerk there full time after I graduate from Cal.
Outside of my internship, I loved DC (so much so I’m planning to move there). I joined a local dance team, became a pro at Capital Bikeshare, tried all the best food spots, and took the train to NYC.
If you’re at all interested in UCDC or have questions about finding internships or what it’s like to live there, please reach out! Email me at anguyen2@berkeley.edu to meet in person or over zoom.
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!