Current Tufts student Melia Harlan shared the following about being a Summer Intern at Middlesex District Attorney’s Office …
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
As an intern at the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, I worked with an incredible team of legal professionals, including Assistant District Attorneys, Paralegals, and Victim Advocates. I helped to draft subpoenas and communicate with professionals in other fields to facilitate transfers of requested documents, and once I received those documents, I helped to read and summarize the most important details into briefs for my supervisors. I also gained a lot of valuable knowledge and experience regarding the American criminal justice system through my exposure to different kinds of cases and their outcomes.
How did you find this internship?
I found this internship to be an incredibly valuable educational experience and opportunity for me to grow and learn as a young professional, and a prospective law school student. It helped me to gain confidence in myself and in my skills to be given such hands-on assignments and the opportunity to work so closely with attorneys on their current cases, and I learned a lot about the legal field and what I want my place to be within it.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
One of my favorite aspects of my internship was the training sessions provided by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. From panels of lawyers giving career and law school advice to discussions about systemic racism within the criminal justice system with District Attorney Marian Ryan, I felt that everyone in the office was committed to fostering an environment conducive to learning and growing, not just for the interns, but for everyone.
What did you find challenging?
Especially at first, it was challenging to combat imposter syndrome, and feel that I was truly qualified for the opportunity I was given, but all of my supervisors were great about giving feedback on assignments, and helping me to gain confidence in my professional skills. They were also great about answering questions and helping me to feel comfortable even when I didn’t know what do do or what to expect in certain situations.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
My advice to any future intern would be to take full advantage of the myriad of opportunities provided. Attend every training session you can, ask as many questions as you can, and just try to learn as much as possible. To work alongside such knowledgeable, hard-working professionals is truly a privilege, and I found that I could learn so much just by paying attention to my colleagues and their strategies when confronted with various problems.
About the Organization
Middlesex Country District Attorney’s Office
The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office serves the largest county in New England, covering 54 diverse cities and towns. We prosecute cases across 12 district courts, 4 juvenile courts, and 2 superior courts. Our core mission is to protect and serve the people who work, live and raise their families in Middlesex County
