Blog: IGS Fellows in the World

Since coming to Washington D.C., I have been extremely busy—but in the best way! As an intern with the Public Defender’s Service, I have been immersed in criminal defense investigations, trial preparation, and post-trial sentencing. Not only have I had access to the guidance of...Read more about UCDC Spring 2023: The Practice of Law in DC: From the Public Defender's Service to the Supreme Court

Being a deferred transfer, coming to Washington DC, and having the opportunity to work and live here has been an incredible and still unbelievable experience. At the American Enterprise Institute, I work in the development department, which means I get to work on the business and...Read more about UCDC Spring 2023: Fundraising and Development at the American Enterprise Institute

Being back in sunny California, I still have not fully processed that my time on Capitol Hill and in D.C. have concluded. Looking back, it was a bitter-sweet ending. On one hand, I desperately missed California’s weather, the diversity, the food, and of course, my friends and...Read more about UCDC Fall 2022: Farewell D.C....for now

As I closed the zipper of my last suitcase, I could not believe that my adventures in Washington DC were coming to an end. Spending an entire semester in Washington DC was not only a dream come true, but a transformative and fulfilling experience. I deeply enjoyed having the...Read more about UCDC Fall 2022: Centering Intersectional Identities to Increase Bilingual Literacy at ULC

My last few weeks in Washington, DC were full of uncertainty but I left with a few opportunities to consider in the future. Being in D.C. exposed me to unlimited possibilities, and the city itself was refreshing to live in for almost four months. I really enjoyed having access to...Read more about UCDC Fall 2022: "They Are the Authors of Their Own Story"; Social Work isn't about 'Saving' People

People tell you that as you get older the years go by faster. I have found that as I worked harder over the years, and the opportunities added up, my years felt longer—so many more experiences in so little time. The growth I experienced in my first year at Berkeley was...Read more about UCDC Fall 2022: From the Shores of Mt. Vernon to Murder Mysteries with Friends; Finding Self-actualization through Humility and Personal Agency

On my first day in D.C., I cried myself to sleep. Being thousands of miles from home, where I did not know anyone and did not have a secured internship, was overwhelming.

Since then, however, everything has settled into place. For the past few weeks...Read more about UCDC Fall 2022: Public Service in Style

I’m currently interning at HIPS: Honoring Individuals Power and Strength a nonprofit organization that serves the underserved population in the DC metropolitan area focusing on harm reduction and the sex trade. As a direct service intern, my role is to assist drug users and sex...Read more about UCDC Fall 2022: Centering Self-Care and Compassion as a Core Principle of Professionalism

As a first generation low income student, having the opportunity to intern in Washington DC for an entire semester has been the most surreal experience of my undergraduate career so far. Over the past few months in the nation's capital, I have interned for the Urban Libraries...Read more about UCDC Fall 2022: Leveraging Cultural Identities to Uplift and Engage Marginalized Communities

Fireflies are replaced by falling leaves in every color of the rainbow. The warm air that wrapped you like a blanket every time you stepped outside, now takes leave for a refreshing cold crispness that wakes you up and gets you ready for the day. This fall I have the privilege to...Read more about UCDC Fall 2022: Following in the Footsteps of Public Service Leaders

Today was a day of remembrance and reflection. We were touring the National Mall in DC, although I have my reservation on what a mall resembles, let's not get into that. In today's venture, we had our first stop at the Jefferson memorial; at first glance,...Read more about 2022 Democracy Camp in DC Journal

Being a participant in the UCDC program has been an informative and enlightening experience. It has given me a taste of the D.C city culture and political climate which has brought value into deciding my career choices. I have had the opportunity to learn just how many options there are in...Read more about UCDC Spring 2022: Navigating nonprofit work as a student of color person of color in high-level political spaces

As a Delawarean, Washington D.C. has always been just a drive away, but my past two months in the nation’s capital have been eye-opening, filled with learning, adventure, and discovery. Over the past few weeks, I have worked for Senator Chris Coons of Delaware as a press intern. My...Read more about UCDC Spring 2022: Press and public service; Capturing the power of politics 'happening before my eyes'

Over coffee and fresh fruit, Democracy Camp kicked off with the cohort gathering outside for breakfast conversation and a discussion with IGS Director Lisa García Bedolla. As the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies,...Read more about 2022 Democracy Camp in Berkeley Journal

Dr. Garcia Bedolla’s background and knowledge about career paths for public service were incredibly inspiring. Garcia Bedolla grew up in Los Angeles, as the daughter of Cuban...Read more about 2021 Democracy Camp Journal

Lisa Garcia Bedolla’s insight into public service careers was incredibly inspiring and moving. Dr. Bedolla was the child of Cuban refugees, who grounded...Read more about 2020 Democracy Camp Journal