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"I arrived
at Eagleton in the fall of 2004 with some experience in a government
agency and no practical experience in public policy. My background
is in science. . . . I have always had a fascination with politics.
As a scientist, I am particularly interested in the conversion
of scientific research into policy and regulation. Through the
seminar in the fall and the internship in the spring, I learned
about government, politics and policy implementation on many
levels. As an Eagleton Fellow the opportunities to interact with
leaders and professionals in government and politics is endless.
I took advantage of this whenever possible, and it was always
a great learning experience."
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| "The seminar
is educational in that you will learn about government processes,
meet interesting politicians and regulators that work in the field
and read and discuss relevant literature. The seminar is most useful
in that it breaks down your political stereotypes. Professors Joe
Doria and Pete McDonough guided the group to view politics and
government through new lenses. I feel I let go of some of my stereotypes
and gained a deeper, and at the same time, more generalized view
of the political process. Lastly, the seminar is really fun. I
loved learning about government and politics from experts."
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| "My internship
was outstanding. Two very smart women who I now consider role models
and friends mentored me. As an intern, I was able to see the process
about which I was so curious, the transformation of science to
policy. I attended meetings and witnessed negotiation and decision
making. I was lucky enough to be in an office that focused on a
cause I particularly appreciate, and I was assigned a project of
my own. In that responsibility, I was forced to struggle somewhat,
which enabled me to learn and appreciate more. The time spent on
my project was really valuable, and because I liked the topic,
I enjoyed the process."
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| "The fellowship
provided me with the opportunity to have a ring side seat as the
office [where I was placed for my internship] identified goals,
developed policy positions, recruited advocates and sought to carry
out what their charge was. Not only did I observe, but I was encouraged
to participate as much as possible, and I had a chance to attend
meetings with both members of the legislature as well as community
based advocates that also worked to better the lives of children
in New Jersey. Before coming to law school, I was torn as to whether
to go to school for law or for public policy, but with this fellowship,
I had a chance to see how these two fields of study merge and compliment
one another. Perhaps just as important as that was the chance I
had to learn from and work with people who truly believe in what
they were doing and in their commitment to public service. The
fellowship also gave me a chance to meet a wonderful group of graduate
students that I would have never gotten to know otherwise. The
relationships that we developed through the course of this year
will hopefully follow us into our professional careers, be it public
service or the private sector."
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| " 'Bring
me good policy and I will do the politics,' that is one of
the quotes I've heard during one of the many sessions organized
for the Eagleton Fellows. That phrase, originally said by Former
Governor Whitman, has been stuck in my mind since I've heard it.
The quote summarizes what the job of a public servant should be
and represents the essence of what the Eagleton Fellowship was
for me: learning about how politics enables (the always complex)
policies. The fact that I cannot forget that quote, shows how the
many learning experiences offered by Eagleton had changed how I
see the world of politics and policy making. I also learned a lot
from the other fellows who had different and diverse backgrounds
and felt inspired by the multiple guests and our two professors
who spoke to us with such passion. During the internship, I had
the opportunity to see the world of policy making from within and
that helped me understand its complexity. And while policy making
seems more complicated now, I have gained many tools that will
help me be more effective doing both good policies and politics."
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| "The Eagleton
Fellowship program was an excellent opportunity for me to gain
first hand knowledge and experience in government affairs and the
art of policymaking. This is the only program that I found to be
an excellent avenue for future leaders and practitioners to learn
outside the academic arena. My internship experience was invaluable
and laid the foundation for my academic development as a scholar
and practitioner. It’s just great being a Governor’s
Executive fellow!"
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| "Eagleton
and the Governor's Executive Program changed my life. Before Eagleton
I was just a lost law students with a hard time finding my niche
in the world of law. Soon after joining the Eagleton cast of graduate
students, my niche became apparent: Government work. I had been
a political science major in undergrad but the first years of law
school made me forget my true passion for public service. I credit
Eagleton for reopening my eyes and heart to the world of government.
I would also like to sincerely thank Eagleton for offering such
a tremendous opportunity to graduate students at Rutgers. Furthermore,
the opportunity to meet people that are equally convinced in the
merits of public interest work is priceless to a woman just starting
her career. There is no doubt that the steps I take in my career
after graduation will have everything to do with Eagleton."
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| "Words
fall short of accurately describing my experience as a Governor's
Executive Fellow. However, from an academic perspective, I have
learned a great deal about government and political leadership.
Our spring externship solidified this knowledge, in addition to
providing practical exposure to the inner-workings of the executive
branch. Teachers and guest speakers included successful leaders
of the highest caliber within New Jersey government. Equally important,
interaction with my class of Fellows was invaluable and unlike
any experience I have encountered within academia. My Eagleton
classmates will remain lifelong friends. Further, the warmth and
stimulation of Eagleton Institute is unmatched. From a personal
viewpoint, my fellowship served as a tremendous source."
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"I am writing
to personally thank you for a tremendously enriching year as a
Governor’s Executive Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of
Politics. This year has given me a deeper and more meaningful understanding
about the nature of politics in the state of New Jersey. Not only
have I learned about the craft of successful 'politicking,' but
I have also learned about the sincerity and conviction of those
who commit their lives to public service. I have come to understand
engagement in politics as a genuine commitment to 'noble purpose
work,' to borrow [my internship supervisor’s] phrase. For
so many this work extends far beyond the narrow pursuit of self-interest
that is taught in conventional political science courses.
My placement . . . has opened my eyes to the need of having
those who hold critical and compassionate perspectives in the most mainstream
of our institutions--many of our most vulnerable citizens rely on these institutions
to meet their most basic needs. During my placement, the words of our faculty
mentors ( Professors Joe Doria and Pete McDonough) resonated. Whether my duties
entailed preparing an executive summary for a new program initiative, accompanying
the Commissioner to visits to sites that actually deliver services to poor and
working women and children or attending highly charged . . . meetings, concepts
like 'staying on message' and the 'strategic exercise of political capital' were
invaluable."
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| "Every
time I have been at the Eagleton Institute this year, I have been
grateful for the opportunity to interact with my teachers, my fellow
students, both graduate and undergraduate, and with the many, varied
guests to whom we are exposed. My Government Fellowship has deepened
my understanding of how government works and why it sometimes fails.
Eagleton is a place where people who value public service and democracy,
whatever their political philosophy, can engage in dialogue."
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| "No one
could have ever prepared me for the unbelievably amazing experience
that the Eagleton Government Fellowship provided me. From the first
day of the seminar to the last day of my placement, I learned more
practical knowledge about New Jersey politics then all of my past
experiences combined. The ability to learn 'hands on' in the seminar
from two of the great minds in New Jersey Government is an experience
that is truly unsurpassable. . . . Any person that has the opportunity
to partake in an Eagleton fellowship must grasp the opportunity
immediately, because you will surely never forget it."
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"I had a wonderful experience as a Raimondo Fellow. During my time working [in the state legislature], I was given interesting and practical assignments which greatly enriched my knowledge and understanding of the legislative process. The fall course was extremely valuable in laying the groundwork for the internship experience. The two semesters I spent in the program broadened my perspectives, helped me to clarify my own career goals, and allowed me to associate with some of the most influential people in New Jersey politics, including some former Raimondo Fellows. I will be forever grateful to you and the rest of the Eagleton staff for allowing me to participate in an extraordinary and rewarding program."
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"I have studied political science or public policy since my sophomore year of college. I have interned for Congressmen, interest groups, and newspapers. I have taken seminars on American and New Jersey politics. I have participated in discussions and lectures with political operatives and political analysts. Yet, none of these experiences has provided me with as much insight into the legislative process in New Jersey as has being a Raimondo fellow. As a Raimondo fellow, I was able to learn about the New Jersey legislature from the people who make the institution function: legislators, staff members, journalists, lobbyists, and others. At the same time, I was able to participate in the policymaking process by helping staff members research issues, analyze legislation, and respond to legislators’ requests for information. As both an observer and participant, I learned a great deal from my experience and had a lot of fun talking politics and comparing notes with the other Raimondo fellows. This fellowship has been one of the highlights of my graduate experience and I am very proud to have had the opportunity to participate in such a remarkable program."
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"I tell prospective applicants to the Henry J. Raimondo Fellowship that Raimondo Fellows are treated like royalty at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. Eagleton is a first-class institute that has given me the five-star educational experience of a lifetime. From our fall-semester Legislative Policy Making class in the living room of Wood Lawn Mansion, to the halls of the State House in Trenton as a spring-semester intern, my experiences as a Raimondo Fellow have saved me from my sin: cynicism, that is. I have learned, first-hand, just how dynamic and dedicated our legislators are in New Jersey, and I am thrilled to see how being a Raimondo Fellow has extended my admiration for our governing bodies to the individuals who run them (on both sides of the aisle, both on and off stage).
My advice to future Raimondo Fellows would be two-fold: First, make the most of your fellowship now: Take advantage of every learning opportunity that comes your way as a Raimondo Fellow (there will be many); and, second make your fellowship count later. Being a Raimondo Fellow will open several doors for you. On whichever path you take, remember to give something back by applying the wealth of political and legislative insight your fellowship experiences offer you."
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"Through my experience as a Raimondo Fellow at OLS, I have gained incredibly valuable insight into the legislative process. My time as an intern at OLS has confirmed what I suspected -- the system does work. Thanks to the OLS staff for being true professionals interested in sharing their experience and knowledge."
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"...being in the Senate Majority Office during this time was a truly special experience. As a Senate Staffer, I was witness to meetings and informal discussions on how and when to deal with Justice Veniero. . . . You don't really know how government works until you experience it first hand. . . . Easily one of my favorite parts of the fellowship though was meeting and getting to know the other fellows. . . . Because we are from varying backgrounds and disciplines, new perspectives always challenged my own and sometimes changed my mind."
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"The experience gave me further insight on how and why the process works as it does. Further, I have even greater confidence in my career plans of public service, and my desired specialization in fiscal and budget matters crystallized during my tenure in Trenton."
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"I really did enjoy the program because it did give me an opportunity to see things from the state level especially the New Jersey model - such as the OLS version - which is a great one to follow. I think other states need to consider this version as well. In addition, seeing politics up close makes a difference. You have to see it to believe it - that is what politics is supposed to be about. It even made me consider the public sector as a career choice too."
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" I wanted to provide you with an overview of this tremendously successful program. I hope that it will continue to improve and permit many more students to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. . . . I enjoyed each and every one of my legislative fellows, and I learned from each of them. The interdisciplinary nature of this program is informative and permits us to explore other disciplines through just casual conversation. We have such different perspectives on the world (and everyone is so bright, which always helps!)."
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"I hope that the Law School continues its strong involvement with the Eagleton Institute of Politics, as I know that we will. Not enough focus is placed upon the legislative process in a standard law school curriculum, and I think that this would benefit most of my fellow law school classmates."
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"I believe that my dual mentoring system here at OLS has been a tremendous benefit to me. My senior supervisor, Albert Porroni, has been a wonderful contact for me and someone whose knowledge of the legislative and political process is truly invaluable. . . . Jim Adolf, my junior supervisor, has been truly a great coach. I have learned so much from him, from research techniques to writing improvements. . . . I believe that most of the fellows would agree that the balance between work and observation was pretty good."
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"Throughout the semester, I have been able to connect the business of government with the business that I have been studying in the MBA program. . . . The internship in the OLS has given me an invaluable experience. . . . This experience will be useful as I continue my education at law school and later in a career in government and public service."
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"The Raimondo Fellowship is NOT just another internship. It is a truly qualified applied political experience where Fellows are treated as legislative staff. In a matter of months, I have learned how our state legislature really operates, an understanding that will help me affect policy whether from the inside or outside of the legislature. It is an amazing and essential experience for anyone interested in pursuing a career in politics."
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