A Farmingdale State College student has been accepted into the New York State Senate 2024 Undergraduate Session Assistants Internship Program. Business Management major Cassandra Zaneski leaves this week to spend the Spring 2024 semester in Albany working with their assigned state senator in the New York State Capitol building. She will participate in a comprehensive orientation over several days in preparation for their work as New York State Senate intern.
Cassandra says, “Being part of New York State's government process [will] be the opportunity
of a lifetime for me.”
This long-standing internship program run by the state offers an immersive experiential
learning component and a rigorous academic learning component. Students from all over
New York State apply and compete for 30 intern openings. Students who are accepted
receive a stipend of $8,800 for the semester. Cassandra and Liam have earned their
acceptance and are ready to get to work and to represent Farmingdale State College
in Albany!
Ms. Cassandra Zaneski is a highly accomplished and outstanding student in her junior
year of study as a Business Management major. She is also pursuing an academic minor
in Legal Studies. Cassandra is a creative person who brings that creativity to solving
problems. Her academic achievements are evident by her superb overall GPA of 3.79.
In recognition of her academic success, Cassandra has earned placement on the Dean’s
List and President’s list at Farmingdale State College. She shared with me that she
takes her coursework and academic obligations very seriously and is committed to doing
the best she can in each course. Cassandra says, “"I want to make a difference in
the office that I might be assigned to. By collaborating with a New York State Senator,
their office staff and other interns, I will be able to connect with new people in
a professional and exciting setting."
It is a pleasure working with Cassandra as a student. Lecturer Mary Catherine Clifford
can attest to her dedication, her diligence and her fortitude. Cassandra was consistently
one of the first students to arrive to her 8:00am class for each session throughout
that semester! Cassandra was an active participant in class. She asked relevant questions
and shared insights which often encouraged others to participate in response. Given
the early start time, getting students to interact is not easy, but she demonstrated
leadership skills by expressing her thoughts and Dr. Clifford can definitively say
her actions enhanced the classroom experience for all students. This active approach
in the classroom enabled her to showcase strong verbal communication skills. Cassandra
continues to achieve goals in her undergraduate studies and does so while working
to contribute to the financial obligations of her education. She has been employed
in the food industry working long hours under fast-paced conditions. Cassandra has
learned how important it is to listen to customers and make every effort to meet their
needs. She has sharpened her interpersonal skills. Through this employment experience,
she will bring these skills to her role as an Assembly Session Intern, which she has
luckily enough been selected. Cassandra has very strong writing skills as is evident
by the writing sample she attached to her application. I know that she can make significant
contributions to the academic component of the internship and will tackle the required
research paper with enthusiasm. Cassandra shared with Dr. Clifford that she plans
to attend law school one day. She understands how valuable the Undergraduate Session
Assistants Internship experience will be for those plans. Cassandra realizes that
the opportunity to learn about state government and the legislative process will give
her insight into an area of law that impacts individuals and businesses alike. Simply
put, this internship experience will make her a better law student. She says, "Hands
on work with the Senate opens an insight into law and government functionality that
otherwise would be unreachable."
Cassandra has already completed several law courses at Farmingdale State College and
believes her understanding of the court structure and the litigation process will
help her contribute to the Undergraduate Session Assistants Internship program in
meaningful ways.
This internship is a valuable opportunity to learn about the state government and
the legislative process. Congratulations to Cassandra! If you want to be involved
in this specific internship,