Letters to the Editor

I have worked at the Hotel Trades Council for three summers as an intern. This past summer I was offered an opportunity to work for an elected official, yielding an exciting opportunity. But I still wanted to continue being a part of the Union, and so I began a summer consisting of two jobs, Union intern and political intern—a daunting task, but many of our members willingly take on two jobs to help pay their children’s college costs, so I knew it could be done.

Working at my Senator’s office was eye-opening. I worked in the press office alongside two young public officials who took a hands-on approach to mentoring me. Each official taught me new skills, improved my writing techniques and showed me how to think critically. An essential part of each of my days was brainstorming possible issues that if acted upon would be beneficial to the Senator’s constituents. If my idea was chosen I would help draft a press release and the Senator could even hold a press conference about the issue. Most of the issues our office worked on pertained to the majority of New Yorkers. For instance, when it was reported that many stores were illicitly tracking consumers we brought this to the public’s attention and demanded more transparency.

Many other interns from the metropolitan area worked in other departments at the Senator’s office They ranged in age from their early teens in high school to college students pursuing political interests. Though not in the same department, a community was formed among us, with many lunches and planned trips.

I am writing to Hotel Voice about this experience because I believe that many of the children of our Union’s members would find interning for an elected official to be a rewarding and certainly an educational experience. I encourage any student aspiring to a career in public service to apply for the many summer intern positions that almost all elected officials offer to young people in their district, city or state. It can truly be a valuable experience.

Efraim Saltzman
HTC Intern