Written by: Faith Odiete (BSCJ’24, MPA Candidate)
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters in Washington, D.C. I found the position on the USA Jobs website and decided to apply because of my strong interest in public service and wanting to work for the federal government. The application process required a lot of preparation, but my background and experiences helped me stand out. When I received the offer, I was thrilled to take on a role that aligned so closely with my career goals.
At FEMA, I worked in the Acquisition Management and Business Relations Branch. My main responsibilities included helping with acquisition planning, disaster preparedness, developing policies to support FEMA’s mission, reviewing SOPs, and conducting program reviews. I also assisted with data reporting and analysis, which gave me a better understanding of how FEMA manages resources to prepare for and respond to disasters. The work was challenging but incredibly rewarding because I knew that what I was doing was making a real difference.