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By Petar Djekic, Justice and Legal Thought College Park Scholar
In my view the most important part of this internship was the actual firsthand experience that students like myself get with tackling these issues head on. Talking with political officials at both the local and State level and working with them to get bills passed.
My internship at MaryPIRG revolves around activism in regards to important issues in both the local community and the country at large. While an important aspect of the organization is equipping students and young activists with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in this field. In my view the most important part of this internship was the actual firsthand experience that students like myself get with tackling these issues head on. Talking with political officials at both the local and State level and working with them to get bills passed. Our “Maryland Student Climate Action Coalition” pushed and passed statewide legislation that intends to promote and enforce carbon neutrality on all Maryland public campuses. This was a huge step forward and the other campaigns also have similarly large scale and small scale goals that many members of the organization strive to achieve. For many students like myself getting involved in an activist field is what they are really passionate about and it really means a lot to be a part of them. Being a part of this organization made me feel as though I am making a difference with the contributions that I’m making to the organization and the many campaigns that I participate in. The news can sometimes really make everything seem like “doom and gloom” and it’s easy to fall into a mindset where nothing can be done, but organizations such as MaryPIRG remind me that there are people who haven’t given up and won’t give up any time soon. The internship is definitely giving every intern and volunteer a valuable experience in many of the most important fields relating to today's most critical issues.
Hi Petar! Your poster caught my eye because I interned with the same organization this past semester. It was interesting to learn the gravity of the situation on antibiotics in our foods. I was wondering what fast-food chains are still using antibiotics?
The first thing that caught my eye with this poster were the cool green colors. It was interesting to learn about your work with informing the public about the over use of anti-botics, as that is an issue that I feel needs to be talked about more as well. What were the results of your work with this internship?
Hey Petar, this internship seemed cool. I didn't know that these opportunities were available, and that they included things like leading online activities (maybe a once-in-a-lifetime thing!). Do you think that you would return to this internship if you were given the chance, or another position within MaryPIRG?
Hey Petar, I was particularly interested because of hearing about how much MaryPIRG was and wanting to learn more about the program and what you were able to do with them. Do you think MaryPIRG's wide-range of social issues that it tackles makes it harder for them to commit to changing or focusing on certain issues or do you think it makes them more well-rounded?
Such a great internship, Petar! What a wonderful cause you were working towards - can't wait to see what you do next!