2013 Alum Completes Summer Internship at White House

Marc Gutierrez '13 shares his experience in the Summer 2016 White House Internship Program.

This past spring, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Seville, Spain and I also obtained an international internship. For an International Affairs major as myself, this was a dream come true.  I developed a thorough understanding of economic and business management practices in Spain and the European Union while studying in the industrial center of southern Spain. I strongly believe that it was this international internship that afforded me the opportunity of a lifetime to have been selected for the Summer 2016 White House Internship Program in Washington, DC!

I recently completed the White House internship program and it is through this remarkable life changing internship that has exemplified the meaning of a public servant for me. My parents, school, and community have always promoted service. Through my many volunteer opportunities, they have instilled within me the belief that a good leader contributes to his/her community through service. I was impressed to see the dedication and commitment of the White House staff. They work long hours with conviction, allegiance, and passion. No monetary value can compensate their work, but they contribute every day because of their love for our country and the American people.

I had the distinct honor of being placed in the Office of the Vice President and I had the rare opportunity to witness the passion and fortitude that our Vice President Joe Biden dedicates to his initiatives. I witnessed this first hand when I worked the Vice President’s Cancer Moonshot Summit. I had a front row seat to a summit that brought together the greatest minds and efforts to combat and defeat cancer. I was assigned to the Communications Office in the Office of the Vice President where some of my duties included preparing a Daily News Card for him and monitoring his official Twitter account. It was exciting to see the news manifest itself in front of my eyes and at times be a spectator when breaking news was actually occurring. I was able to be present for foreign dignitaries and officials such as, the President of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto and the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loon when they visited the White House. These are some of the events that I will never forget!
Furthermore, our training included a Weekly Speakers Series which included President Obama, the Vice President, the White House staff, and the First Lady. An essential part of our program was to go out into DC and volunteer at local organizations – giving back to the community. We received training to be matched to no other training in the world! I have provided you with only a glimpse of the magnitude of my summer experience and I can honestly say that this experience has surpassed all my expectations, it has changed my life and who I am!

I will return this Fall to The George Washington University (GW) in DC and I look forward to graduating in the spring of 2017! It only took me four years due to Salpointe’s excellent education earning me AP credits before I even began college! My advice to the Salpointe students is to take advantage of all that Salpointe has to offer because it will provide you with a solid foundation for your future.

My goal is that by building up my career, I can effectively contribute on a much larger scale than my singular experiences combined. I am ready to embark on something great, meaningful, greater than myself that will give me the ability to create a better community, a better nation, and a better world!

Sincerely,

Marc Gutierrez, Class of 2013
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