New Mexico Highlands University sophomore Aliana A. Crespin has an exciting summer on tap.
No, she’s not planning to travel the world or take up a new hobby.
Instead, Crespin, has parlayed her Highlands education and work experience at the university’s Center for Professional Development and Career Readiness, into an internship that will have a lasting impact on her life.
Crespin, a sophomore studying social work with an eye toward earning a legal degree to work in family law, will spend the summer as an intern in the Santa Fe office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM).
“I’m hoping to see how her advocacy work plays into her congressional work,” Crespin said. “"Does she spend more time advocating for the constituents or focusing on building more resources for rural communities. So I’m hoping to see how she puts that type of work into her congresswoman’s work.”
A West Las Vegas graduate, Crespin is looking forward not so much to the specific political side of things but how she can really learn and gain some insight into how the system works in terms of advocating for others and what role the law plays in it, all within the realm of politics.
“It’s a really great opportunity to learn about congressional work,” she said. “I don’t have a lot of experience in that field. I want to see how politics and the law work together. I hope to pursue a law degree after getting my Bachelor’s of Social Work and Master’s in Social Work. I hope to specialize in family law.
“But I’m not too sure about the politics side,” she added. “It’s really a different side of the law and I don’t know if I want to get into that too deep.”
Crespin’s sister sent her some information about the internship and she applied, not really thinking it was going to turn into anything.
“I was definitely shocked,” Crespin said. “I lost hope for a little bit. When you’re going into something new, you always think that there’s someone better, more qualified. But I have all the necessary tools and I can definitely do something like this and pursue this type of work.”
After going through the website to apply, it was a waiting game.
“The website said, ‘Don’t reach out, we will reach out to you if we consider you for an internship,’” she recalled. “I had to wait for a couple of weeks and finally they called me. They were excited to offer me an interview and how they would like to get to know me better.”
Then it was just a matter of wowing them during the interview.
“The interview went very well,” Crespin said. “I was a bit nervous, but I made sure to prepare myself very well. I did research on her, what kind of work she did before being a congresswoman and the type of committees she’s on and how she implements her advocacy work and congressional work.”
When it was her turn to ask some questions, she was prepared there, as well.
“I asked them to describe the work culture and the work environment there,” Crespin said. “They told it was very collaborative and everyone focused on an open and positive work environment.”
She’s not kidding herself that there’s going to have a major role for her, but it should still be an educational experience.
“I don’t know how much interns are able to get inside on briefings, hearings,” Crespin said. “Honestly, it’s mostly office work. I’ll deal with the phones call from constituents, and things like that.”
Michelle Bencomo, Crespin’s boss at the Professional Development Center, said this is the type of things Highlands faculty want to see students doing and is a reflection of the student’s drive.
“Internships add significant value to a student’s college experience while also providing the opportunity to gain real-world experience ahead of their career,” Bencomo said. “Aliana’s selection for the summer internship with Teresa Leger Fernández’s office will help her gain practical skills and knowledge, network with and learn from New Mexico leaders, and give her a competitive advantage in furthering her education and in the job market.”
And this also reflects well on Highlands, Bencomo said.
“This opportunity is important for Aliana, but also for Highlands,” she said. “Student participation in internships benefits NMHU by improving student outcomes, creating or strengthening employer relationships and serves as an example that students from a small university in a small rural community have opportunities to earn valuable experiences.”