I grew up right outside Detroit, in Royal Oak, MI, although I live in Clinton, UT now. I went to school at Kalamazoo College.

What did you study?

I studied Political Science with an emphasis on political theory and on comparative politics.

What is your typical day like?

My typical day is spent in the PVS offices, conducting research. Originally, I worked in our VoteEasy department, so I spent the day researching where congressional candidates stand on the pressing issues of the day, using whatever past statements I could dig up. Now that VoteEasy research is completed, I'm engaged in a plethora of research tasks, mostly geared around getting as much info about state legislative candidates in the database.

What special projects are you working on?

I'm currently working on inputting the endorsements of various state-level special interest groups and occasionally helping Steve, our maintenance wizard, split enough wood to keep the ranch from freezing over come winter.
 

How do you think this internship will help you in the future?

This internship has been a great professional experience- I've gained research skills and valuable workplace experience that will assurdely be an asset as I search for my next opportunity.

Why do you feel Project Vote Smart is important?

Vote Smart is important because the average voter faces a strange paradox: there is simultaneously far too little information on candidates and far too much. Far too little in the sense it's alarmingly hard to find out where the average candidate stands on crucial issues; far too much in the sense in that the root of this difficulty is the astounding amount of trivial or irrelevant information that obscures the important stuff. Through the PCT and VoteEasy, VoteSmart cuts through the informational chaff and allows voters to easily see what candidates actually believe.

For more information on our National Internship Program, click here...