Check out Erica Balkum's interview about her summer experience.
Here is Maggie Kosh's interview:
Q. Tell me your Name, Age, School and Classification if you attend one?
A. Maggie Koch, 24, University of Toledo, College of Law, 3L
Q. What department do you work in at AFGE?
A. Office of the General Council
Q. What are some of the things that you deal with on a daily basis?
A. The majority of my day is spent analyzing case files submitted by AFGE Locals. I read all documentation provided, request any additional information necessary, and conduct research on the issue(s) of the case. After reviewing all relevant law and facts, I complete a memorandum with my recommendation on whether an attorney should be assigned to handle the case.
Q. What are your career goals and how does AFGE help to prepare you for it?
A. Honestly, my current career goal is to get a legal job when I graduate. In an ideal world, I would like to work in labor law. AFGE has provided me with several semesters’ worth of legal knowledge in ten short weeks. Instead of sitting in a classroom reading the law, I am reading and applying the law to real life fact patterns. I believe that the practical knowledge I have gained while at AFGE will make me more marketable to employers, especially for a labor law position.
Q. Tell me your greatest experience working at here.
A. I suppose my greatest experience here should be working with a client to get their job back, or paid the overtime they are due, but it is not. My greatest experience has been getting recognition for a letter which I spent a great deal of time working on. That particular client had raised a number of issues, which required an analysis of several statutes, regulations, and agency policies—many of which were not easy to find. Having attorneys’ in the office recognize my thorough analysis made the hours of research, several edits, and endless phone calls worth it.
Q. What advice would you give to the next intern or hire here at AFGE?
A. Do not be scared. Everyone in the office is fantastic and is willing to help. Relax; it will all go by so quick.
