D.C. Internship Pushes Students on Path Toward Career
By Brian Hiro
Karli Llorens aspires to work for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Saba Wali wants to go to law school and become an international lawyer.
Both Cal State San Marcos students took considerable steps toward their career ambitions this spring by participating in semester-long internships in Washington, D.C.
Llorens and Wali were CSUSM’s representatives in Cal State DC Scholars, a program offered through Cal State Fullerton that gives students opportunities to earn academic credit while interning in the nation’s capital.
Llorens, a second-year student who’s majoring in criminology and justice studies, worked for the U.S. Department of Labor. Wali, a third-year who’s a double major in political science and computer science, interned for the Washington International Trade Association, or WITA.
“What I like best about my internship is gaining more research experience,” Llorens said. “Having the skills that come with doing thorough research will make it easier for me to be successful in my future career.”
Said Wali: “The most valuable aspect of this internship is the network it provides. Each month, we’ve had the opportunity to attend lunches with board members representing diverse backgrounds in trade. Additionally, we can research event attendees and speakers to identify professionals whose careers align with our interests, allowing us to reach out and arrange coffee meetings for deeper insights.”
Llorens chose to intern for the Department of Labor because she wanted to gain insight into working for the federal government. She worked with the head of the Employee Ownership Initiative, a new program that encourages business ownership by America’s workers. She also assisted with inquiries regarding the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, a federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans.
Outside of her internship and schoolwork (classes were Mondays and Wednesdays), Llorens lived in an apartment provided by an organization called Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH) and enjoyed exploring the city with other interns, including Wali.
Because of her interest in international relations, Wali gravitated toward WITA, a nonprofit dedicated to providing a neutral forum for discussion of international trade policy and related issues. Her daily duties included communicating with WITA members and trade professionals, designing graphics, promoting events, conducting research, and expanding knowledge of international trade and trade policy.
One of the particular benefits of Wali’s time in Washington was the chance, as a Pashtun Muslim, to connect with the robust Muslim and Afghan communities in the surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia. She too lived in WISH housing.
“Living in a building filled with student interns has been an incredible experience,” Wali said. “Most of us share similar goals, and since we come from all over the world, there’s so much to learn and enjoy from each other.”
An added bonus of both students’ Washington experience: the opportunity to meet with CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt, who was in the capital last month as part of the CSU system’s annual Hill Week.
“Meeting President Neufeldt really put it into perspective that I am doing something great for my community at CSUSM by being a representative for our university within the DC Scholars program,” Llorens said. “During my time on the Hill, I aim to showcase the strengths and greatness that are taught at CSUSM.”
Media Contact
Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306