A political science student with a deep curiosity for how past events shape today’s world, Hussein Rifath brought his academic passion to life during his internship at the U.S. Department of Justice. There, he supported the Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program and helped organize a memorial run honoring fallen officers, an experience that solidified his commitment to public service. Along the way, he navigated the challenges of living in a new city, discovered unexpected strengths and built a network that will support him for years to come.
Tell us a little about yourself as well as about your internship and a project you worked on that stood out. How has it helped you build confidence about your career path?
I’m a history buff. Studying the past excites my imagination and gives me a sense of purpose. Reflecting on achievements of those who’ve come before us motivates me to do my part and help push the envelope in an ever-changing world.
This semester, I’ve had the great pleasure of interning for the United States Department of Justice. My work has been to support the Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program, a joint initiative that unites the efforts of 13 federal law enforcement agencies in their fight against crime by depriving criminals of their ill-gotten gains. Getting to watch concepts that I’ve learned about in the classroom, such as the separation of powers, come to life over the course of my work has been very exciting.
My favorite project, by far, has been to help organize a memorial run honoring the memory of our agency’s fallen law enforcement officers – colleagues, friends, and family who’ve had to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the community and uphold the rule of law. The event gave us an opportunity to keep their memory alive, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything else.
There were many other exciting projects that I’ve gotten to complete as part of my day-to-day tasks, but I’m not at liberty to discuss them. What I can say is that it’s been a tremendous honor to benefit from the mentorship that I’ve received here. Getting a chance to be a part of the Department’s mission, in the small way that I am, has further inspired me to serve my country one day: that’s the kind of work that I hope to dedicate my life to.
What were things that you were concerned about when applying for the Academic Internship Program, and what did you do to overcome those concerns?
My main concerns surrounded the cost of living here in Washington, D.C. I spent a lot of time working in the months before my arrival so that I could save up enough money to help make it all possible, and thankfully, things haven’t been as tight as expected.
Nevertheless, living here has required a change in lifestyle. Throughout my life, I’ve been blessed with the freedom of not having to cook for myself very often. I had to do that during my time here to keep things cost effective.
Making such a drastic change in such a short period of time can be very stressful. To use an analogy, many people learn how to swim by being thrown into water. During my first few days here, I felt that same kind of stress. Looking back on it though, that experience motivated me to adapt.
Thankfully, I quickly got the hang of things – and to be honest with you – I now consider myself a chef! These days, I can easily find my way through a supermarket without being overwhelmed by all the options available. The idea of living alone when I’m older is far less daunting because the question of how I’d feed myself has been solved.
To any applicants struggling with the same thing, I recommend purchasing an air fryer: they’re versatile, easy to use, and a great way to prepare solid meals.
What are some of the specific skills and networking opportunities you have gained during this experience that you’ll take with you into a future job?
I’ve gotten to write memos, draft legal correspondence, conduct legal research, maintain spreadsheets, use internal databases, as well as plan and organize events for my intern cohort.
My personal experience has been that every day in the office is a networking event. I make it a point to always meet and greet people whenever appropriate because building those connections is one of the most valuable parts of any internship. The elevator, for example, can be a great place to do that. It’s important to remember that smiles are contagious, and I try my best to start every workday with a smile because that helps bring some sunshine into the office.
What was your most exciting experience while at TWC?
I love our Career Development days! Getting to know so many people my age involved in so many different things has been fun and exciting. I also love the fact that the RAF has a gym downstairs. It’s very convenient and I use it regularly. The value that it has brought to my stay cannot be overstated.
What are some of your favorite spots in D.C.?
Dupont Circle is a beautiful neighborhood and it’s been so cool getting to come across embassies of countries from around the world as I explore. There are lots of restaurants to try there, and you can’t go wrong.
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