This summer, NeW is proud to highlight the internship opportunities NeW women are experiencing in the workplace. Three NeW leaders are interning at the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women: Devan Coombes, Marketing Director for NeW at the University of Virginia; Audrey Wikan, Co-President of NeW at the University of Florida; and Catriona Fee, Member of NeW at The Catholic University of America.
What does your day look like in your internship?
Devan: Your day looks like anything you want it to! You definitely have to be a self-starter to work here because most of what we do our projects we come up with things we want to learn. Personally, I really want to learn about communications and marketing so I have focused on working with and helping our head of Public Relations, Kara Bell. We also do a lot of random things throughout the summer like different events, webinars, and trainings!
Audrey: Each day as a Fellow at the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women looks quite different. I have had the opportunity to write articles on a variety of topics, which have now been posted on their website. I have also had the opportunity to develop social media content for all platforms the CBL Center for Conservative Women is on. One of the most unique experiences I have had was the opportunity to attend multiple Pro-Life rallies in front of the Supreme Court as we awaited the rulings on June Medical Services v. Russo and The Little Sisters of the Poor v. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
How does this internship help set you up for your career dreams?
Catriona: This internship has helped me to improve my writing skills, specifically when discussing public policy, and has given me the opportunity to learn from so many incredible ladies in the conservative movement.
Audrey: This summer more than ever – I have firmed up my passion for serving people at the local, state, and national level of government in addition to back home at the University of Florida. I thoroughly have enjoyed working with individuals that were donating their time for a cause they believe in here. Young people play a huge role in government today and our nation tomorrow. Government is very important to me and I believe that I can make a difference! This experience has only furthered my interest in wanting to serve my community at a national level. In 2017, at the age of 17, I pursued a job in the Florida Legislature which made me one of the youngest employees hired in District 31. I possess passion which is one of the leading factors that brought me some of the greatest opportunities in such an early season of life. My ultimate occupational goal is to someday serve Florida in the United States Congress.
How has your experience with NeW prepared you for this role?
Catriona: NeW’s professional development webinars during the first few months of quarantine, around the time I applied for this internship, were very helpful to me. They helped me to rework my resume, and feel more comfortable with the process to apply for internships.
Any advice for other women who are looking for an internship?
Devan: Talk to people! The best opportunities you have come from the people you know. Also, apply to as many things as you can. You’ve probably heard the statistic that a lot of women will wait until they are 100% qualified for something before they apply, while men will apply at 60%. Don’t wait! Have confidence in your abilities and your ability to learn and just apply for that job/internship. The worst thing that could happen is they say no!
Catriona: Apply to as many as possible! If the past few months have taught us anything, it is that everything is unpredictable. Don’t underestimate yourself either, take advantage of every opportunity. It is better to be denied than to not have tried.
