Experience
I clerked as a summer clerk at the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). Given that the 86th Legislature recently adjourned before this clerkship, I predominantly helped the amazing lawyers at TASB look through the new legislation that was passed during the session and compared it to TASB’s legal documents to look for any changes that needed updating. Additionally, I worked on various projects for the attorneys including researching various legal questions, performing citation checks, and organizing the legal library. Along with being able to work on interesting school law issues, I also attended the 2019 Post-Legislative Seminar for the Texas Council of School Attorneys that TASB held in July.
Educate Texas, an educational initiative of the Communities Foundation of Texas, hired me as an intern for the summer of 2018. This experience really opened my eyes to the complexity of education policy in the state of Texas. The main project I was involved with was a mandate relief group that Educate Texas was facilitating at the request of the lieutenant governor. I learned a lot about how laws passed by the state directly affect local schools and the students of Texas.
As an intern at the Mayor’s Office of Education Initiatives in the fall of 2017, I had the chance to see my interest in education firsthand in a work environment. While working here, I researched state laws that would affect schools in the city of Houston, reviewed how Houston area schools were performing, and carried out other basic office tasks. My time here illuminated many of the problems that Houston area schools are facing and the complications that multiple organizations and agencies are trying to solve. It also reaffirmed my belief in the importance of a free and efficient public education, and the need for smart and passionate people in this challenging field.
Harris County District Attorney
I had the unique opportunity to intern with First Assistant Judge Belinda Hill in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Under Judge Hill’s guidance, I observed and asked questions about almost all that the DA’s office does. During this 4-week internship, I met with and gained valuable insight from countless attorneys and staff while seeing many of them perform their jobs in court. Not only did I discuss what each division of the DA’s office did with various division chiefs, but I also met with DA Devon Anderson. Judge Hill brought me along with her to observe various meetings dealing with matters ranging from the problem of data storage to meetings about police tensions within the nation. This was an invaluable experience that gave me countless perceptions into the criminal justice system.
Texas State Capitol
In 2015, I was able to work for the House of Representatives’ Sergeant-at-Arms at the Texas State Capitol during the 84th legislative session. As a messenger, I was one of the few people allowed on the House floor while the legislature was in session. This gave me the unique opportunity to see government in action and to hear the debate over Texas bills firsthand. This experience gave me valuable insight about the impact the government has on our everyday lives and it has encouraged my interest in politics.
Bella Vita Custom Homes
After I completed my sophomore year of high school, I worked part time at a luxury custom home builder in their accounts payable department. Starting out, I only filed paperwork, but the longer I was there the more responsibilities I assumed. Near the end of my time there, I oversaw the main accounts payable email that all the vendors sent their invoices to, and I became proficient in using QuickBooks to enter invoices without any prior experience. The most important thing I took away from Bella Vita is the ability to be flexible and to adapt to new situations while being able to add new insight and innovative solutions.
