Bryan Gonzalez – a Master of Public Administration (MPA) student and COSSPP alumnus – recently completed his Fall 2023 Internship for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) in Washington, D.C.
Gonzalez graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International Affairs in the Spring of 2023 and promptly departed for D.C. Gonzalez fondly reflects on his time serving as a congressional intern, where he learned invaluable skills of professionalism and was inspired to continue a life and career of advocating for his communities.
“It was an honor for me to be selected as one of 35 congressional interns by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI),” Gonzalez said. “It was particularly special to be one of four interns from the state of Florida in the program. As a first-generation student and child of immigrants, it was mesmerizing and motivating to gain this experience.”
Gonzalez has since returned to enroll in the Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy MPA program. He hopes to someday return to D.C. to continue his passion for advocating for those in his community.
When reflecting on the experiences that allowed him this internship, Gonzalez credits his involvement and undergraduate education at Florida State with providing him the foundation to pursue a career in public service.
“My experiences at FSU allowed me to interact with the community, find my voice and my confidence as a leader, and see the impact that public service and intentional programming can have,” Gonzalez said. “I’m confident that these experiences have prepared me to lead in the future roles in government that I hope to attain.”
After graduating with his MPA degree, Gonzalez plans to return to Washington D.C., working as a staffer on Capitol Hill.
To learn more about the MPA program, click here.