Left to right: Declan Coakley (‘24 Political Science, ‘25 MA International Studies) and Congressman Lou Correa.

The Voice of Wilkinson had the opportunity to sit down with graduate student Declan Coakley (‘24 Political Science, ‘25 MA International Studies) to talk about his summer internship with the District Office of Congressman Lou Correa, California’s 46th congressional district office. In this interview, Coakley shares his internship experience and some of his key takeaways, demonstrating an essential component of the International Studies program–linking global theory with practice–and how his studies equipped him with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a globalized business environment. Coakley’s local internship experience also demonstrates the growing interconnectedness of cultures domestically and internationally, and the value of broadening one’s understanding of global issues, cultures, and political systems.

Voice of Wilkinson: Tell us about your internship. How did you first hear about this organization? What drew you to the organization as one you wanted to intern with?

Declan Coakley: I first heard about Congressman Correa’s office while researching potential summer internship opportunities with various state and federal representatives, senators, and other public service positions. I was drawn to the organization for several reasons, primarily because I believed it would be a fantastic learning opportunity. As a political science major, the chance to witness firsthand how a congressional office operates and what knowledge and responsibilities are required of its staff greatly interested me. Additionally, I have considered working in a Congressperson’s office as a potential career path, so obtaining an internship like this would certainly be of benefit if I were to apply for a similar full-time position down the road. Lastly, one major reason I was drawn to Congressman Correa’s office was simply that I genuinely like him. He’s a moderate and pragmatic Democrat in politically purple Orange County, with strong local connections, working-class roots, and a genuine drive to help his constituents. Plus, he showed a real interest in us interns and our career and education paths.

VoW: Tell us about what your day-to-day was like?

DC: My day would typically begin at 9 a.m., when I would get into the office and sit down at the front desk to manage appointments. Every intern in the office was required to answer the phones, where constituents would call the office to leave correspondence or ask for assistance with a federal agency. The latter meant that we would work with the constituent to identify their issue, ensure they fill out all the necessary paperwork and submit all relevant documents, and then typically make an inquiry with the agency in question on the constituent’s behalf. These agencies included everything from USCIS and Medicare to the Department of State. We would also attend events occasionally, helping staffers with setup, photographs, cleanup, and other activities. Whenever someone received a certificate of congressional recognition, we were also the ones who would format, print, and fit the certificate. I also received a unique assignment that I was instructed to work on throughout the internship. This assignment saw me summarizing important developments from key federal agencies and assembling them in a weekly brief. There is still a bunch of other stuff I am not including for the sake of summary but I’ll end by just saying there was always something to do!

VoW: What were some key takeaways, either personally or professionally from your internship experience?

DC: I learned so many things from this internship, but I believe by far the most significant, both professionally and personally, was the necessity of confidence and being able to trust in yourself and your abilities. At first, I was extremely nervous interning at such an important office, but over time I learned that the more I cast off self-doubt and simply focused on the task at hand the more effective and efficient I was at my job.

Additionally, as an International Studies student, I had a strong understanding of international issues and received Spanish language training, which enhanced my ability to communicate effectively with constituents.

“I believe that the value of a Political Science/International Studies student in this environment stems from the fact that you can enter the office already knowing so many of the issues, actors, and theories from your classes. I found that this preparedness not only shortens the transition from training to becoming a productive member of the team but also enables you to perform your duties with a greater sense of confidence and understanding.”

VoW: What is something you will never forget from the experience?

DC: The office staff and my fellow interns! Everyone at the office was so welcoming, kind, and friendly, and I had so much fun getting to know them all. I never felt like there wasn’t a question I couldn’t ask or someone whose help I could not request and that made what was already an incredible experience ten times better.

VoW: For our incoming students to the International Studies program, what did you wish you had known starting your MA? What did you appreciate about the program? Is there a takeaway that still serves you in your day-to-day endeavors?

DC: That I could take MA classes during my first semester of senior year (for some reason I did not realize this and ended up taking a bunch of electives instead). I appreciate how invested all the MA professors are in their classes and the work of their students—they are all very willing to answer questions, even when they veer into the more individual, thesis-oriented. Take as many MA classes as you can during your senior year and definitely attempt to find an internship for class credit during the break! Graduate courses seriously require you to invest more time and energy into them than undergraduate ones, so the less you must take per semester the easier your life will be.

The Master of Arts in International Studies program is a two-year interdisciplinary course of study that links global theory and practice. The program prepares graduates for a range of global careers by enhancing the effectiveness and adaptability whether working in multinational corporations, international trade, cross-border entrepreneurship, nongovernmental organizations

(Pictured in header: Declan Coakley (‘24 Political Science, ‘25 MA International Studies) and District Office of Congressman Lou Correa office staff and interns. Photo courtesy of Declan Coakley).