Pictured Above: Business management senior Sean Schrader has spent nearly two years serving as an intern with the Office of Congressman Charlie Crist.
Image courtesy of Sean Schrader
By Sean Schrader
National Intern Day is a time for recognition for the important work that interns do, and for me, a time of reflection of the experiences that I have had while working in the Office of Congressman Charlie Crist.
A few years ago, I would not have seen myself working in a congressional office, as I have always been more oriented toward my local community – working with local businesses, civic advocacy groups and nonprofit organizations.
However, in the fall of 2019, starting at USFSP, I had the opportunity to join as an intern working for Congressman Charlie Crist at his downtown St. Petersburg office.
Although I wasn’t sure I was qualified for the position, the short commute to work was a big selling point.
The first day I began, Friday, Aug. 30, all eyes were on Hurricane Dorian, and the impacts it would bring to the Florida coast. Although it looked as if Tampa Bay would remain largely in the clear, my first project in the office was reviewing storm preparedness documents, and ensuring they were up to date with the latest information. Although I knew this was not a typical workday as an intern, it certainly was an interesting and unforgettable first day in the office.
When I returned the next week, things were a lot calmer and I was able to focus on daily intern tasks and projects.
A large component of my internship focused on answering phone calls from constituents, whether it be providing guidance for an issue they were experiencing, recording their thoughts on a current issue or connecting them with their caseworker.
While in the office, I would also work on drafting congressional correspondence. This was very exciting, as there were many different letters to draft that helped me gain insight into what was taking place throughout the 13th Congressional District.
As I did intern in the Congressman’s downtown office, I had the opportunity to see Congressman Crist in the office, and whether it was for a meeting, an interview, or a special event, the office was always busy.
As COVID-19 began to emerge in spring of 2020, I took on a new role in the office, serving as an assistant constituent advocate, assisting constituents in receiving their stimulus payments. This was very rewarding work, as these funds helped constituents with essential needs such as buying food, paying utility bills and covering transportation costs.
Sadly, in the fall of 2020, I left the Congressman’s office to focus exclusively on my studies, but I knew I still wanted to assist constituents throughout the district.
As part of my enrollment in the business program in the Kate Tiedemann College of Business at USF, I learned that I could complete an internship for class credit, and I knew I would enjoy the opportunity to return to Congressman Charlie Crist’s office for the summer of 2021.
Like in 2019-2020, my tasks have been largely based upon constituent service, assisting constituents in by providing resources on the phone, working to resolve an issue on their behalf with a federal agency or drafting congressional correspondence. I believe it is all necessary and important work.
I am not sure what career path I would like to take just yet, but this internship has helped me realize that I would like a career that is focused on giving back and making a positive difference in the community. In terms of how this internship applies to my business management degree path at USF, I have learned that teamwork is incredibly important to ensure the Congressman’s office runs smoothly, as staffers must balance legislative work, constituent outreach, casework, communications and other priorities all at one time.
As August 2021 quickly approaches, it will mark two years on and off that I have interned with Congressman Crist. I have been very fortunate to work for a member of Congress that focuses on doing what is right, for the people and has helped me to ensure I live by the Golden Rule.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Sean for going on 7 years now I have watched him as a freshman at Largo HS turn into a outstanding young man now a senior at USF through the years Sean has been a huge help to me in my office working PT and keeping and showing me how to stay updated with the computer which I am terrible at. He has been a huge help to me.
In this day and age it is so refreshing to find a young man of Sean’s quality always polite always knows when to speak just one of those young men that you hope your children will grow up to be I only see positive things in the future for Sean Schrader and hope That I am around to see what the future holds for him.