Internship Location: St Paul MN
Organization Type: State Government
Policy Areas: Program Evaluator
This summer, I interned as an Associate Evaluator at the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA), where I had the opportunity to engage deeply with the processes of legislative audits and evaluations. My work focused on enhancing transparency and accountability within Minnesota’s government agencies. Throughout the internship, I contributed to the analysis of various state programs, examining their effectiveness and efficiency. In this role, I applied key concepts from my public policy coursework, such as cost-benefit analysis, program evaluation techniques, and research methods, to real-world scenarios. I was involved in conducting both quantitative data analysis and gathering qualitative feedback through focus groups, which helped to inform our comprehensive reports. My contributions supported policy development and provided insights into management issues within state agencies. This hands-on experience not only reinforced my academic knowledge but also exposed me to the practical challenges of policy evaluation, particularly the need to balance stakeholder interests and navigate the political implications of our findings. Overall, the internship significantly enhanced my understanding of evidence-based analysis and confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in public service, particularly in the areas of policy evaluation and implementation.