Document Type

Article

Domestic/International

Domestic

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

In this reflection paper, I examine my summer internship at the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office in Watertown, New York, undertaken as part of the Career Action Program. As an Economics major and Finance minor with an interest in law, I sought hands-on exposure to the legal system before committing to a career path. My internship involved observing City and County Court proceedings, assisting with case preparation, and learning courtroom software such as PCMS and NICE, alongside four other interns in a close-knit office setting. Key experiences included witnessing arraignments, plea deals, and sentencing, understanding the negotiation process behind misdemeanor reductions, and participating in mock courtroom questioning during police academy training. I connect the internship's collaborative, small-office environment to the values I gained through my liberal arts education at Connecticut College, drawing parallels to my previous internship at a CPA firm. This experience reinforced my preference for close working environments, clarified my strengths in a courtroom setting, and deepened my understanding of professional ethics and confidentiality within the legal field. Overall, the internship affirmed my interest in pursuing law and provided practical skills and mentorship relevant to my future law school application process.

Download
COinS
 

The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.