I really enjoyed the small office feel as the department I was working with had just opened a few months prior. I was almost given a startup type feeling, but centralized around public sector issues. One thing that I really enjoyed the most was the guidance on using and understanding analytical skills that I had not known prior to walking in on my first day. As well, the direct communication with the City Manager and other leadings figures in the city helped me feel like my decisions mattered.
What I wish was different
One thing that I wish had been different was the number of people in the office that I could go to for resources, specifically a resource that had technical skills in the coding side of data analytics. This would have been really helpful when trying to accomplish a "final" project for the city.
Advice
A piece of advice that I would share would be to not undervalue the experience because it's not at a renowned tech firm or major corporation in the silicon valley. I was given so many opportunities to meet so many people and work on projects that seemed interesting to me because the interactions between the head of the department were commonplace. I would 100% do this internship again if given the chance to go back in time!
