This summer, NeW is proud to highlight the great internship opportunities NeW women are experiencing in the workplace. Elise LaFleur, involved with the NeW at The Catholic University of America chapter, is a Governor’s Fellow with the Policy Team in the office of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. Elise is majoring in Politics and American Government. Learn more about her summer internship:

Why did you apply for this internship?
I applied for this fellowship because I thought it could give me great insight into the workings of state government and how policies go from the drawing board to the implementation stage. 

What does your day look like in your internship?
I arrive at the office in the morning, answer emails and do tasks for staff members. In the afternoons, I then pursue my area of research. My research has spanned criminal justice reform, education policy, and healthcare policy. Currently, I am learning more about occupational licensing reform and how we can improve on that as a state.

What has been your favorite part of the internship so far?
Working with passionate leaders and advocates from numerous industries and specialty areas has given me a new appreciation for policies that get overlooked by a majority of the American public. I have the privilege of spending time learning the intricacies of some of these policies and learning why people have opposing views on these issues.