“The City of Providence is a special place, I gained so much insight and real experience from my time as a Fellow. I worked with many impressive and generous people within the City as well as outside government, gaining more understanding of how governance and activism interact, how leadership matters, how to get important things done, and how to let the community lead.”
– Liza Farr; 2020 Executive Office Fellow
“During my time as a fellow for the City of Providence, I evolved my understanding of Rhode Island law, enhanced my reading and writing skills, and learned to appreciate the hard work that goes into making Providence a great city. Specifically, I enjoyed the City’s amazing staff, who welcomed me with open arms, were eager to help and/or answer any questions I had, and included the fellows into matters involving the city as much as possible. In particular, my supervisor this summer, Etie-Lee Schaub, is a perfect example of the amazing people who work for the City of Providence. In spite of having my internship online this summer, Etie ensured that I was involved in City public hearings, the Public Records Unit, and mediation proceedings. Furthermore, she was always available to answer any questions I had, discuss legal issues in more depth and worked with me to produce finer legal memos. Despite having my internship online this summer, the City’s staff assured to include the fellows in city public hearings, city work training, various zoom meetings where we spoke to important individuals working for the City of Providence and held a staff gathering where we were able to connect and network with the City’s staff in-person (while also taking the necessary safety precautions, such as social distancing and wearing masks). I particularly enjoyed the Lunch and Learn Series, where I had the chance to meet important government officials that I probably would not have met had I interned for another municipality. Overall, I loved my experience as a Mayoral Fellow and would recommend this internship to any person seeking to have profoundly interactive internship experience with a governmental entity.”
– Yasmin Gamez; 2020 Law Dept. Fellow
“During my summer as a Mayoral Fellow, I had the opportunity to contribute substantively to several ongoing projects within the City and learn about the inner workings of municipal government. Because of the size of Providence and the way the City values Mayoral Fellows, in my 10 weeks, I had more access and influence on projects that I care about than I would have had in comparable fellowships in larger cities. The “Lunch & Learn” series allowed me to learn from government leaders across the city and state, and the mentorship that I received from my supervisor will have a lasting impact on my professional path for years to come. To any undergraduate or graduate student interested in a career in government, I highly recommend applying for the Providence Mayoral Fellowship!”
– Tim Shea; 2020 Dept. of Operations Fellow
“This fellowship provided me with an amazing opportunity to contribute valuable work to local government. I was able to truly understand the inner workings of Mayor Elorza’s administration, and I felt valued as both a fellow and a person. I recommend this fellowship to anyone with an interest in public service!”
– Rebecca Carcieri; 2020 Dept. of Policy Fellow
“I was a Mayoral Fellow the summer after my sophomore year of college. I hadn’t been home much since I had left to go to college out of state. The program connected me to people who were passionate about our city and having a government that works for all of us. The experience inspired me and after my fellowship ended, I decided to stay in Providence and contribute to all the amazing work our city was doing by running for office.”
-Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin, Providence, RI; Office of Arts, Culture and Tourism
“The Mayoral Fellowship was my ideal summer internship experience. As a Policy Fellow, I gained valuable experience researching and writing about important issues facing the City of Providence while also observing firsthand how other departments function and work together to keep the City moving forward. The Fellowship is well-structured, providing a unique opportunity to have meaningful discussions with leaders in local, state, and the federal government.”
-Rebecca Flikier, Barrington, RI; Emory University ’17; Office of Policy & Innovation
“Through the Fellowship I have gotten to meet city and state officials, department directors, parks maintenance workers, police officers, Providence residents, artists, students, and nonprofit directors. I feel fortunate that I got to spend my summer not only meeting these people but also helping to bridge the gaps between them, facilitating discussion and organizing events to bring together the entire Providence community.”
-Jessica Zambrano, Joliet, IL; Brown University ’17; Office of Arts, Culture, & Tourism
“Unlike any other program in the country, the Fellowship allows undergraduates to receive payment for substantive, rigorous, and formative work at the municipal level. As a lifelong Midwesterner who had never been to Providence until the first day of the program, the Creative Capital does not disappoint.”
-Graham Ambrose, Deerfield, IL; Yale University ’18; Mayor’s Executive Office
“During my time as a Fellow, I was inspired by the work of Mayor Elorza and others to make the City a more just and inclusive place. I was able to work on important projects with my coworkers and really make a difference in people’s lives. Everyone was welcoming and I felt right at home the whole time.”
-Ayanda Collins, Johannesburg, South Africa; Brown University ’16; Planning Department
“Not only was I able to work with many different types of people, but I learned how to apply my skills to a variety of projects and tasks. This Fellowship was a very positive experience; it’s a great opportunity to get to know the City and the intricacies of local government.”
-Ariana Gomez, Providence, RI; The New School for Liberal Arts ’16; Mayor’s Center for City Services
