Kate’s Spring Internship Reflection

As my time as the 2026 Spring Intern at the Indiana Bar Foundation comes to an end, I have been reflecting on how much this experience has changed my perspective on civic education programs like Mock Trial and We the People. Before this internship, I mainly experienced these programs as a student participant. While I already understood how impactful they could be for students, I never fully realized how much work, preparation, and dedication happen behind the scenes to make these opportunities possible across Indiana.

Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to work closely with both the Mock Trial and the We the People programs in a variety of ways. I helped create parent guides for Mock Trial, We the People, and civic showcases so that families could better understand the structure and expectations of each program. I also assisted with preparation for competitions and showcases by organizing materials and helping staff coordinate important event details. Through these experiences, I learned how much communication, organization, and teamwork are required to successfully support large educational programs involving students, teachers, attorneys, and volunteers from across the state.

One of the most meaningful parts of my internship was helping prepare for the We the People Elementary Showcase. I assisted with organizing gift bags, certificates, medals, and scoring rubrics for participating students. Although these tasks may seem small individually, I quickly learned that every detail contributes to creating a positive and memorable experience for students. Seeing younger students become excited about civic education reminded me why these programs are so important and how they encourage confidence, leadership, and engagement at an early age.

This internship also gave me a much greater appreciation for Mock Trial competitions and the effort required to organize them. Watching students prepare arguments, present cases, and work collaboratively showed me how these programs build valuable skills beyond the classroom. As someone who has personally participated in civic education programs, it was meaningful to now see the amount of planning and coordination that takes place before students even arrive at competitions or showcases.

Beyond the events and projects themselves, I am grateful for the relationships and mentorship I gained throughout this experience. Working with the Indiana Bar Foundation staff showed me the importance of professionalism, collaboration, and leadership. Their support helped me grow more confident in professional environments and encouraged me to continue pursuing opportunities connected to civic engagement and leadership in the future.

Overall, my internship at the Indiana Bar Foundation has been an experience that I will carry with me long after this semester. It deepened my appreciation for Mock Trial, We the People, and civic education while helping me grow personally and professionally. I am thankful for the opportunity to have contributed to programs that positively impact students throughout Indiana and for everything I learned during my time at the Foundation.