Current Tufts student Grace Hagopian shared the following about being a Summer Intern at MDOT …
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
As an Intern with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, I worked to develop strategies in order to strengthen Massachusetts’s ability to combat human trafficking within the state transportation infrastructure. My responsibilities in this role included researching all current policies within Massachusetts and The United States as a whole. Additionally, I utilized state resources in order to provide accurate recommendations to the government officials I worked with.
How did you find this internship?
I heard about this internship through a recommendation by an individual I worked with the summer before.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
I enjoyed seeing how government committees will work with outside individuals and agencies to work to achieve a shared goal. Previous supervisors I have worked with in the field of human trafficking, the Assistant Secretary, and I all worked towards the overarching goals of Massachusetts’s transportation sector. In this work, I was excited to see how different groups come together to work towards a common goal.
What did you find challenging?
One major challenge in this role was learning how to navigate the landscape of the government sector. I quickly learned that enacting policies and change, even something as simple as editing a government website, had more obstacles than one would think. I saw firsthand how one must be willing to put in an abundance of effort if they want to see their ideas manifest within the government.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
I would encourage any future interns in this position to follow up with the professionals you meet in the field! Even if you were in one meeting together, reach out to them afterward and add them on LinkedIn. Make a clear effort to solidify your presence in their mind. You never know what that connection could do for you in the future.
About the Organization
Our mission is to deliver excellent customer service to people traveling in the Commonwealth by providing transportation infrastructure which is safe, reliable, robust and resilient. We work to provide a transportation system which can strengthen the state’s economy and improve the quality of life for all.
