This past summer, senior Ciara Smith, a history major at Sacred Heart University, worked as a
Congressional Intern in the office of U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.
Smith learned about this internship opportunity thanks to SHU’s Career and Professional Development
Office.
“I got an email from the school about this opportunity a week and a half before the application deadline,” Smith said.
Smith was the first SHU student to participate in one of Murphy’s internships.
Ciara Smith and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy during
her summer internship.
Contributed by Ciara Smith ’25
Our office is in constant communication with students via email, with most emails and information coming from us through Handshake,” said Amy Novak, Senior Director of the Career and Professional Development Office.
“Whether we’re promoting available internships, events or information about employers visiting campus, students will want to make sure they’re looking for emails from SHU Career Development, or in some cases, their career coach,” she continued.
The interview process consisted of multiple rounds in order to narrow down the pool of candidates.
“It was very stressful. I only had a week and a half to complete the online application, submit my resume and complete a cover letter. And that was just the first round,” Smith said.
After the first round, some applicants were invited to participate in an interview with a staff assistant as
well as with a current intern.
“There was two weeks of silence where they didn’t tell you what was happening, and then I found out I got the job,” Smith said.
Smith was one of Murphy’s eight summer interns, selected from a pool of 210 applicants. Smith’s assignments varied; she worked answering phones, attending events and discussing issues. Working in Murphy’s office taught her how important it is for citizens to pick up the phone.
“I think my biggest takeaway from this experience was how much an individual can do to stress their needs in their life. We had people calling about energy issues, social security and military benefits. If you call your in-state representative, you will get somewhere. There are people who care and want to help you,” Smith said.
U.S. Senators are elected every six years serve to represent the citizens of the state in which they are elected.
“You are their support system, and why they are in power. They get paid to help you, put them to use; call them,” Smith said.
The internship was geared towards a variety of majors. Smith worked alongside political science,
economics, and public health majors, according to a SHU press release.
Smith’s position often dealt with matters of immigration, such as learning about the laws in place that can affect immigrants. Smith’s experience helped solidify her desire to pursue a career in federal law.
“My parents are immigrants. Seeing so many people struggle with immigration and not being able help was hard. I just want to be able to help,” Smith said.
“Ciara is very well organized. She is intelligent and determined. She is mature in character and professional,” said Dr. Kelly Marino, a professor in the history department.
Marino previously had Smith as a student in class and served as her internship coordinator throughout her experience as a Congressional Intern.
Smith’s goals for the future include attending law school and pursuing a career in federal litigation. She
plans to take a gap year, after completing her undergraduate degree, to study for the LSATs.
“I might go back to Ireland and study there to get a change of scenery,” Smith said.
