A Summer Interning with Governor Granholm

When Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm encourages youth to become 100% engaged, she tells them to “jump in with both feet.”  While I am not sure what it would mean to only jump in with one foot, her advice is good nonetheless.  On day one of my Summer internship in her office, I found myself with no choice but to take such advice given the dynamic, hands-on atmosphere, and without further ado, I will jump into this blog with both feet.

So what does an internship with Gov. Granholm look like?  Well, it depends on the specific internship.  With interns placed in most divisions throughout the office ranging from policy and legislative affairs to communications and appointments, the variety of possibilities is fairly diverse.  Yet, considered one of the most vibrant divisions for Summer interns is undoubtedly Constituent Services – my division!

Regarded as the front lines of the office, Constituent Services is the division that directly interacts with the public.  It is imperative that the division represent the high standards of Ms. Granholm herself while being a vital link between the governor and her office and her Michigan constituents at large.

So what can an intern in my shoes expect to do?  Fortunately, a fair amount of everything.  After spending the first several days training, I was soon ready to answer phone calls from constituents myself.

“Wait, answering phone calls?” you say.  Surely that just sounds like the kind of clerical work that one could find at any office internship, right?  How interesting is that?

If playing the role of phone operator was merely my job description though, then perhaps I would find myself going back to my job from last Summer.  What makes such a seemingly simple task much more challenging is the necessity to understand government policy both generally and as it relates to Michigan government.  Constituents have a considerable breadth of issues ranging from the despair of home foreclosure to the mounting frustrations of rising gas prices.  Thus, in order to help citizens find solutions to real world problems and to explain the governor’s rationale to inquiring citizens, my job requires familiarity with all the issues.  Needless to say, everyday is a learning day.  Maybe by the end of the Summer, I will have finally learned it all, although I have a hunch that even in twelve weeks time, I will not reach the saturation point – Which makes everyday interesting and engaging!

When interacting with constituents, their requests typically take the form of either case work or opinions.  With case work (i.e. trying to find a job, a problem with a Human Services agent), we must have enough of a familiarity with Michigan government to determine what exactly the problem is, and then to determine who can help try to solve the constituent’s issue.  Other times, constituents simply want to voice an opinion or ask about the governor’s rationale in a controversial issue.  In such instances, interns must embody the voice of the governor herself.  With little time during a phone call and a rather low margin of error for unprofessional blunders, interns must think quickly on their feet and adequately address constituents’ concerns.  While I have mainly taken phone calls so far, as the Summer progresses, doing research and responding to letters will also become part of the job description.

To understand the culture of the office as a whole, one must first understand what public service means to Gov. Granholm herself.  Public service is not merely a job or a career.  For Ms. Granholm, true public service especially requires a heart for the poor, the hurting, the afflicted, the forgotten within society.  These are the people who most desperately need a voice but who often find themselves drowned out in a cacophony of lobbyists, interest groups, and established powers.  Thus Gov. Granholm has made it her mission to ensure that such people are not left behind.  This attitude consequently defines the culture and tenor of the office as a whole.  Besides rich career experience, a strengthened resume, and a network of contacts, it is this attitude that I especially hope to learn and gain by Summer’s end. 

 Helping constituents, helping people, helping Michiganders at a time when they need it most – this internship is rewarding indeed!