Jack Cox ’24, a double major in political science and history, spent the summer interning at U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner’s district office. The role gave him firsthand experience in constituent services and local government. In this interview, he reflects on his time in public service, the challenges he encountered, and how the internship shaped his academic and career goals.

How did you get this internship? 
I had planned to graduate a semester early last fall, hoping to instead participate in an internship for what would have been my senior spring semester. I sent my resume over to Representative Magaziner’s team, and they offered me a position for the summer in the district office.

What was a typical day like during your internship?
I had various tasks throughout the internship. For example, I read different papers and websites looking for any stories involving Representative Magaziner. I also updated spreadsheets and contact information for numerous state figures. I would answer phone calls from constituents, and sometimes that would lead to assisting them with federal services and agencies, such as Medicare and the VA. At other times, it would typically lead to constituents sharing their political views and opinions, hoping to receive a response from the Representative.

What’s something unexpected you learned while working in a government office?
Working for the government, I did not realize how much real-world and personal experience I would gain from interacting with everyday citizens. Especially when it came to constituent services. The minutes I spent on the phone allowed people to open up to me about their own personal challenges and life struggles, and you really understand why some people hold the political opinions they do once you gain that newfound context. In addition to the service aspect, community outreach with other officials and organizations was a weekly occurrence, and I realized how much federal offices and officials are involved in local events.

Has this experience made you consider a career in public service or government?
This experience has absolutely made me consider a career in public service and government. At URI, I had a more geopolitical focus in my studies, taking only one domestic-focused political science class. However, this internship has opened up a perspective to civil service at the local level that I never thought I would be a part of. Assisting citizens in my home state, while representing Rhode Island at the federal level, has undoubtedly been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I would be very open to another similar experience. In a week, I will head to the London School of Economics and Political Science, where I will pursue a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Politics. I plan to leverage my internship experience, combined with the new knowledge I’ve gained from this school, to advance my career in public service. 

Did you receive any advice that stuck with you?
The staff were all super helpful, kind, and guided me in the right direction to excel in my work.

How did this internship challenge you, and how did you handle those challenges?
Dealing with constituent services can be challenging, especially given the current volatile political climate in the country. Some callers were unhappy with certain decisions made by federal agencies and politicians, and they could become very emotional and vocal about their opinions. So, trying to maintain a partisan approach while also displaying an empathetic and helpful demeanor to the caller was challenging at times.

How has this experience influenced your academic or career goals?
Opening up my perspective to domestic politics has been transformative for my career. While I strived for service in the international sphere, perhaps working for a global NGO, I realized that change must first start from a grassroots perspective. Therefore, a career in local public service could be very fulfilling.

How do you feel URI prepared you for this internship?
URI has equipped me with the networking skills, work ethic, and personal communication skills required for this internship. Courses such as URI101 and ITR 306 taught me how to professionally present myself, whether that be through writing a resume or maintaining a tight LinkedIn profile. Furthermore, any of my PSC classes at URI helped me gain a fundamental understanding of how the federal government works, while also providing me with critical thinking and problem-solving skills to participate in the political system and civic discourse. I can’t thank my professors enough, for they have well prepared me to further my academic and professional career, from Rhode Island to the UK.