Our National Conversation Policy Intern

By Claire Dormitzer, Justice and Legal Thought College Park Scholar

I have written op-eds on needle exchange programs, access to contraceptives, and communication infrastructure. I have also written policy solutions on traffic congestion and reproductive rights. Currently, I am preparing to interview policy experts in these fields to ensure the feasibility of our policy proposals.

This semester, I had the opportunity to intern with Our National Conversation. ONC is a public policy startup that is currently building an online news aggregator that shows all sides of the same news topic. Their focus is on eliminating the threat of echo chambers to our democracy.

I worked on ONC’s infrastructure and healthcare policy teams. I primarily produced writing pieces to pre-generate content for the website which is being launched in summer 2021. I wrote op-eds and policy solutions within my teams on subjects within the infrastructure and healthcare fields. I was given a lot of flexibility, as this company encourages leadership from individuals of all ages. I have written op-eds on needle exchange programs, access to contraceptives, and communication infrastructure. I have also written policy solutions on traffic congestion and reproductive rights. Currently, I am preparing to interview policy experts in these fields to ensure the feasibility of our policy proposals.

This internship has given me valuable experience in writing policy as well as working in a virtual environment. It has sparked my passion for health policy, a section of policy I now plan to pursue a career in. I was able to use JLT scholarship in relating justice to the writing solutions my team collaborated on. Addressing inequalities within the United States infrastructure and healthcare sectors was a priority for my team. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Our National Conversation and I look forward to carrying my experiences with me throughout my career.