Cassidy Dadaos
Graduation Year: 2009
Major(s): Sociology & American Studies
Campus activities:
Varsity Women’s Basketball, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President, Colleges Against Cancer (CAC), Relay For Life Team Development Committee Chair
Where are you interning now (or have interned in the past)?
Muelrath Public Affairs; May ’07 - August ’07; Santa Rosa, California
MPA assists in the publicity and relations of political campaigns, developmental projects, corporations, and land-use proposals. The firm includes a grassroots lobbying program as well to help educate communities and gain public support for specific projects.
MassHealth Board of Hearings (BOH); May ’08 – August '08; Boston, MA:
The Board of Hearings responds appeals made by MassHealth (Massachusetts’ Medicaid) members. If a MassHealth member is unhappy with a decision made on their behalf by the Medicaid program, they have the right to an appeal. BOH’s Hearing Officers (licensed attorneys) then hold hearings for the issues at hand, overseeing exhibits, and hearing evidence from both sides etc. The appeals process concludes with the Officers making and writing decisions that are published to each party as well as to the general public upon request.
How did you find your internship?
My internship with Muelrath Public Affairs came about through networking at home in California. A former mentor and employer was aware of my interest in Public Relations, Policy and Government and was able to refer me to her own PR rep who was able to connect me with the opportunity.
I would not have ever found my internship with MassHealth Board of Hearings without both the HIATT Career Center and Brandeis’ alumni network. A counselor from HIATT and I were able to put together a very good list of alumni contacts who are today involved in Law and Policy. I made some great contacts and had numerous conversations with these alums about what I was hoping to accomplish and do next. One of these contacts is currently a Hearing Officer for the BOH and was able to offer me the opportunity to work and learn in their office for the summer.
What resources did you utilize to help you prepare for the search?
I used HIATT a great deal in perfecting my resume, cover letters, and contact list. My counselor assisted me in preparing questions for the contacts I spoke with over the phone. She also was able to help me in preparing for interviews.
What ways did you explore to fund your internship?
Initially I assumed that upon taking an unpaid internship I would have to automatically find another job to compensate financially. After a little more exploring though, I gratefully came upon the WOW Internship Program and applied. I was accepted to the program and therefore able to fund my internship for the summer.
What are the two most important things you learned through your internship?
One of the more surprising things that I’ve learned through my internship is that there actually is a large number of people willing to help students find a job or an internship placement. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and even lost by the daunting task of finding a specific profession to explore and to work with, but once you begin asking around and taking some initiative, people really do respond.
I also learned that internships are a fantastic way to really feel a profession out. Before I began interning for the summer I thought that a career in Public Health might be up my alley. And while I have had a tremendous summer and learned so much, I was able to determine that Public Health may not be for me. Before this internship I was convinced that spending time working at something I wasn’t planning on doing down the road somewhere was a waste, but I have found that exploration of different career paths may really help me determine my own path in the long run.
What advice would you give other students looking for internships?
Relax and be open to different career opportunities and possibilities. You shouldn’t be picky as an undergraduate searching for an internship, but instead be open to trying something you may not have thought you would enjoy. You never know what will spark your interest once you’re there. And ask a lot of questions. While I was not asked to intern for every contact I made through the alumni data base, I did ask a ton of questions about graduate schooling, work experience and career decisions. I was surprised and enlightened by many of the successful business people I talked to. Talking to people who have been in a situation like your own in the past is can be an invaluable kind of opportunity.