Sunday, June 2, 2019
By:
When I received news of my placement in the AIP Mather Public Policy Internship Program, I anticipated a position on Capitol Hill. The goal of the program is to expose hard science majors to the functions of federal government and engage them in the policy making process. Since the program’s launch in 2009, selected interns have either worked in a congressional member’s office or in a congressional committee. Well, I allowed my expectations to ride every so merrily along the turning wheels of tradition, and, wouldn’t you know it, I found myself receiving an awfully surprising phone call in early May. The caller? None other then SPS director Dr. Brad Conrad, and he had some “exciting” news (an important note: I put exciting in quotation marks not out of sarcasm but rather because I’m quoting its more than frequent use throughout the conversation). Brad began by telling me SPS was trying something entirely different this year. So far, so good. Instead of a legislative placement, he explained I would be working in an agency. My assignment would be in the Office of Advanced Manufacturing at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (or NIST for our convenience). Specifically, my work would be directed by the office’s associate director for policy, Robert Rudnitsky, and the director of communications, Zara Brunner. Putting it all together created enough of a mouthful that necessitated either the use of a flow chart or wild gesticulations steadily decreasing in altitude to explain the position to my friends and family. As our conversation came to a close, Brad signed off with palpable energy and, above all, excitement, “Nicholas, are you excited? I’m excited! You should be excited!” And how couldn’t I be? In the vernacular of some, I am a guinea pig, but if you spice your outlook just right, a different metaphor takes form. I am a pioneer, and NIST is my manifest destiny.
One week into the program, and my excitement has only grown. My first few days at work were spent primarily adjusting to the security demands of a national lab: fingerprinting, badging, and gaining computer access. I also spent time coming to know my mentors and other coworkers with those opportunities best seized over our daily lunches. Any anxieties and fears I had quickly dissipated as my mentor Robert momentarily put aside his lunch and began doing physics on a napkin; truly, the mark of a great meal. I share an office with Competition Chair Lisa Fronczek, and it is her efforts that have contributed most to my easy and enjoyable transition to NIST. At every turn she has eagerly offered her help with not only understanding my professional duties and resources at NIST but also in navigating the vast networking opportunities of DC. As a final note, my placement at NIST provides me the company of SPS NIST research intern Joseph Tibbs during the 80 minute commute, a trek better enjoyed with a friend.
I would be depriving you all if I did not at least mention my incredible cohort. The collection of bright, wonderful, and extraordinarily distinct individuals who are the 2019 interns is what gives this program life. If you have not done so already, I would encourage you to go and read their blogs for the sake of not only acquainting yourself with the characters of my future posts but also to gain access to their own uniquely flavored insights.
Some may say I use this word too much, but first, that's impossible, and second, I can’t think of anything else that could possibly capture the spirit of this internship: unequivocally groovy.
Nicholas Stubblefield