Stephanie Samsel interned at the Heritage Foundation and took on diverse roles as a temporary marketing project coordinator. From designing graphics for the Kevin Roberts Show to managing staff schedules, she embraced every opportunity to hone her skills. But it was her op-ed, blending her love for pop culture and politics, that truly stood out. With her passion for pop culture and political analysis, Stephanie proves how stepping outside of assigned tasks can lead to transformative career growth, read on for more about her exciting experience in D.C.
Tell us more about your internship experience.
I interned at the Heritage Foundation and my main responsibility was to communicate with our vendors and internal departments about a range of products that advertise our organization, from polos and baseball caps to gift bags and newsletters. I also designed video and square thumbnails for the Kevin Roberts Show, booked photographers for some of our events and managed a staff headshot schedule of 40 staff members. 
Tell us about a project that has stood out for you.
My favorite experience this fall was writing an op-ed reacting to Taylor Swift's endorsing Kamala Harris for president. As both a "Swiftie" and a conservative this was particularly exciting for me to write. After I promoted it on Instagram, I heard compliments from both my liberal and my conservative friends who read it, which felt good and was surprising.
I'm glad my argument that we should not let celebrity endorsements sway our vote — nor keep us from being fans of art — resonated with people. Being told that the op-ed made it in the Daily Signal's top 10 stories of September was also very exciting to hear. It certainly gave me confidence to publish my own commentary on the news, rather than just report on it. As someone who wants to comment on pop culture and politics, I'm glad I jumped on an opportunity outside of my assigned work to write about something I felt passionate about. 
What are some of the specific skills and networking opportunities you have gained?
As someone who really could have worked on networking more in D.C. I enjoyed The Washington Center's informational interview assignments. They pushed me to grab coffee with people outside of work, two of whom I never met in-person before. I appreciated getting out of my comfort zone, reaching out to new people and learning at one point about a field different from what I have experienced: public relations.
One of my interviewees gave me the tip of applying to jobs I may not even see myself in, just for the sake of practicing being interviewed and learning about different opportunities. The ability to approach strangers, exchange information and learn more about each other's lives and long-term goals is vital to growth in a lot of ways. I learned to take myself less seriously and embrace opportunities outside of what I think my next direct step will be. There's really no harm in opening your mind to learning new things!
What was the most exciting or rewarding experience while at TWC or in D.C.?
I received a direct message on LinkedIn from a podcast host who wanted to talk about my first op-ed with the Daily Signal. I had written about how diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in education perpetuate racism, using my personal testimonies of being an Asian American in public school systems. The request to do a podcast interview honestly shot my adrenaline up, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity. Using my organization's TV studio for the first time certainly felt like an "only in D.C." moment that exposed me to the process of undergoing media interviews (they are much harder to execute than the folks on TV make them look!).
What were things that you were concerned about when applying for the program?
I was concerned about finding an organization that would align with my conservative values. Fortunately, I was invited to apply for a temporary job at my current internship site, all because I told a job bank director that I'm looking for a communications internship. I would really encourage applicants to reach out to places that fit TWC's basic internship requirements, even if they are outside of TWC's network. Don't limit yourself to what's on an application portal if you know your heart is elsewhere. 
What’s the number one piece of advice you would give to a student considering joining the TWC program?
Seize every opportunity to learn more. TWC’s program is an excellent way to gain work experience and earn college credits. No matter how closely related your internship is to your major or your long-term goals, trust that the skills you are learning from working in D.C., attending your career readiness programs and working in your evening course will serve you better than any course on your home campus. I think learning what you don't want is just as valuable as learning what you do want. 
How has the support of the Maryland State Scholarship expanded your opportunity via TWC and career exploration?
The Maryland State Scholarship generously saved me more than $10,000 and granted me a more affordable (and valuable) semester than if I had stayed on campus. I am so grateful to be a Marylander with a close enough proximity to work that I was able to commute all semester. This allowed me to invest more in networking after work and, in the long-term, save more money for a future home. I cannot recommend this program enough to my fellow Marylanders! What a phenomenal opportunity to experience what it's like to work in D.C., all while working towards your degree. 
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