Internship Location: Washington DC
Organization Type: Federal Government
Policy Areas: Program Evaluation & Health
My internship as a Program and Management Analyst with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Washington, D.C. contextualized the public policymaking process, exposed me to the full audit cycle, and introduced me to many of the teams, positions, and people across GAO. I primarily contributed to an audit of the National Alzheimer’s Project, alongside a small team of analysts on the health care team. Following on the Congressional request for this audit, I helped to conceptualize the project objectives and methodology and refine the proposed approach in consultation with GAO leadership. I analyzed the federal and non-federal actors involved in the 129 action steps of the most recent National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and assessed the 285 recommendations issued by the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, which informed the project design and contributed to the final report. I also led an interview with three component agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services as a key step in evidence collection. Beyond this audit, I supported other teams to conduct interviews, write workpapers, and verify analysis for additional health care projects. This internship gave me an appreciation for the importance of independent, nonpartisan analysis for policymakers on the Hill and renewed my interest in a policy-oriented and DC-based career.