Marissa Pekular joined the Department of Commerce, Office of Public Affairs this summer as a press intern. In this Q&A, Marissa shares why she’s here, what she’s been working on, and what she’ll take away from this internship. This will be the first of a seven-part series.

Can you share a little bit about yourself and why you chose the U.S. Department of Commerce for your internship?

My name is Marissa Pekular, and I am from Pittsburgh, Pa. I am currently studying international relations and politics at Carnegie Mellon University’s Institute for Politics and Strategy. I am a member of the Women’s Network and a member of the CMU chapter of Women in International Relations. 

I have a passion for professional writing, public policy, and equitable development. With this in mind, I sought out an internship with the Commerce Department because this agency is the perfect blend of all my interests. I got the opportunity to work as an intern this summer in the Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Affairs, and so far, it has been my best internship experience yet.

What have you been working on during your internship?

I have had the privilege of leading the communications strategy on the Department’s Equity Action Plan. This initiative promotes equity across the Department by offering resources, training sessions, and town hall meetings for the Commerce workforce. DEIA also emphasizes the importance of commemorative events and speeches. For example, Secretary Gina Raimondo gave remarks on the first day of Pride Month this summer, stressing the importance of equity and acceptance within our workplace. I was not only moved by her words and affirmations, but I was also so proud to be a part of a community that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of its workforce. Celebrations like these make it incredibly rewarding to work on the Equity Action Plan. By working under Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Areaka Foye-McFadden, I have helped to amplify this initiative, and organize its goals, leadership engagement, campaigns, and communications strategy. I believe equity is one of the most significant and important initiatives of the Commerce Department, and I am proud to play a part in its continued development. 

What have you learned during this internship that you can apply in the future?

This internship has been an incredibly transformative experience. I have developed professionally, advanced my skillset, and experienced what it is like to work for the federal government. Specifically, I learned, through practice, how to better my professional writing habits and skills. I have gotten the opportunity to write speeches, written remarks, and memos, and I also contributed to the NOAA summer blog series. I learned how to perform quality research at the professional level and how it differs from an academic environment. Lastly, I experienced how the federal government operates at this level, and how it feels to be a part of a team of like-minded, hardworking individuals. The Office of Public Affairs staff are incredibly supportive, helpful, and kind. I am fortunate to have been placed in this office. 

I will take these skills and experiences with me at the end of the summer and apply them to future educational and career endeavors. This internship has provided me with the foundations I need to succeed in a future in the federal government and public sector.