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Nicole Rosati has been a political science junkie since she was a sophomore at Neumann Goretti High School. That's when she got a job working for Philadelphia City Councilman Frank Rizzo, Jr.
She continued working for Councilman Rizzo through high school, was fascinated by the dynamics of city government, and was a committed political science major by the time she arrived at Neumann. In the second semester of her junior year, she decided to pursue a summer internship in a field related to her career path. She already had experience in the public arena, so she explored private sector opportunities.
Nicole Googled lobbying firms in Philadelphia, contacted Greenlee Partners, and spoke with Andrew Zalenski, who had worked in Philadelphia City Council before joining Greenlee. Nicole's government experience served her well, and she got a summer internship, working from May until August at the Center City firm.
At first, she spent time at City Council sessions, meeting Greenlee clients and learning about their varied interests in proposed legislation. Most of the summer, however, she spent on a research project for Zalenski.
Nicole and another intern created a summary of all legislation enacted in City Council from 2012 through 2014. The 120-page document included a synopsis of each bill and a summary of Council members' votes.
She enjoyed the research and admits, "The work wasn't new to me at all because Professor (Robert) McMonagle gave us a very similar assignment in one of his classes."
Nicole had applied to other, larger colleges as a high school senior but chose Neumann because "your professors know your name here and you have a real relationship with them; you really get personal attention at Neumann."
Greenlee Partners has invited Nicole to continue her internship, and she hopes to return in the spring semester. After graduation, there is no doubt about her career goal -- a job in which she can have an impact on politics and government.