Meeting a challenge head-on is something that Simon Weeren does daily on the gridiron. During the summer of 2023, he met a different challenge – interning with a government lobbying and communications firm in what he calls "… one of the most powerful and influential cities in the world…" – Washington, D.C.

This is the fourth of a series of Q&As on University of Rochester student-athletes' internship experiences authored by Dennis O'Donnell.

You are majoring in Political Science and Economics. That's a popular combination of majors. Where can that take you once you complete your studies?
I chose to major in Political Science and Economics in order to explore the intersection of government and business. I initially planned to only major in Political Science because I've always been interested in working for the government, but after taking a class called Business and Politics (PSCI 238), I developed an interest in the ways that business and government policies interact with each other in a sort of chess match. In terms of my future, I hope that my undergraduate experience can help me land a job in a Government Security Department or a government affairs position.

This summer, you interned at Lot 16, a bipartisan government lobbying and communications firm that specializes in renewable energy. How did you find out about the company?
I initially found out about the firm while exploring Handshake in my search for summer internships. I was also able to find and connect with a high school classmate who had interned at the firm the previous summer, which provided me with a valuable connection to the firm.

What made the internship appealing to you?
It offered me an opportunity to gain relevant experience in a field that would incorporate both government policy and business. When looking for a summer internship, I was looking for an opportunity that would allow me to explore a field that I was interested in to determine if I could see myself pursuing it as a career in the future. I was also drawn to the internship due to it being located in Washington, D.C., which would allow me to immerse myself in one of the most powerful and influential cities in the world.

How was the application process? Since you are in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, did they bring you in for face-to-face interviews or did they rely on Zoom?
During the application process I was stationed in Rochester for the school year, so all of my interviews were conducted on ZOOM. The application process, while nerve-racking, was enjoyable and the associates who interviewed me did a great job of making the conversation as casual as possible. Over the course of the application process, I was able to gain an understanding of the company's operating style and picture myself as a part of the team.
 
How far in advance did you apply and begin interviewing?
I began applying during November of 2022 and began multiple rounds of interviews in March of 2023. I was officially offered the position at the beginning of April of 2023, which I quickly accepted.

What did they have you do on a daily basis?
I was responsible for preparing legislative briefs on recent Congressional Hearings of relevance to various clients, attending/taking notes on client meetings, and conducting independent research on upcoming Legislative activity. The work was very fast-paced, and I often found myself helping out associates with their projects as well.

Were you part of a group working on a project, or working with one individual?
Daily. I was part of several client teams, where I would work as a part of a group on a larger project, but I also worked on a number of smaller projects that were completely my own. Each day was always different from the last.

Was there a part of the internship that you really liked?
My favorite part of the internship was learning how to function in a professional and fast-paced environment. Interning this past summer was the first time that I had worked in a traditional office environment, and it took some time to adjust. Over the course of the summer, I learned how to act like a real professional and perform in a workplace in which every day brought something different than the last. I also really enjoyed being in Washington D.C. and learning how to maneuver in one of the most powerful cities in the world, although I could have done without the lengthy commute.

Were you out of the office regularly as part of the job?
In terms of getting out of the office, the majority of my work was conducted in-office or over ZOOM. However, the firm was very generous in providing lots of team-building experiences, such as axe-throwing and Washington Nationals baseball games. The frequent company outings to Chipotle and The Cheesecake Factory were extremely appreciated as well.

Which of your classes were most helpful in preparing you for the internship? Why?
The class that was most helpful in preparing me for this internship wasn't a class at all, but a research opportunity. The research project that I conducted during my freshman year with Professor Gerald Gamm provided me with extensive experience conducting professional research and taught me the basics of preparing presentable research work. I used the skills that I learned while conducting research for Professor Gamm on a daily basis during my internship, and I believe that having such valuable research experience on my resume was a key factor in why I got the internship in the first place.

This is your senior year. Will you come back for graduate school and play?
I was accepted to the University's Take 5 Program and will return to campus in the fall. I'm excited to return in the fall to play out my final season and compete with my teammates for a Liberty League Championship. I'm thankful for one more opportunity to talk trash across the line of scrimmage during practice with guys like Daniel Papantonis and Trey Johnson.

What made the University appealing as a place to play and a place to study?
I initially knew very little about the University of Rochester, only that it was far away from home and got really cold in the winter. My dad was the one who pushed me to really look at the University, and taking that advice was one of the best decisions I've ever made. After taking a tour of the campus, hearing about the unique open curriculum, and learning about the extensive postgraduate opportunities, there was no doubt in my mind that the U of R was the place for me. On the football side of things, I really believed in Coach Martinovich's vision for what our team could be. I knew that I wanted to be a part of the special group that was coming together to elevate our program back to where it belongs. The teammates and friends that I've made along the way are what have kept me at the U of R for as long as I have been. There's nothing quite like lining up for every snap alongside all of your best friends, and I'll keep doing that for as long as they'll let me.