Administering Justice

Brad Blizzard ’17 found a front-row seat to the federal justice system this summer as an intern for the U.S. Attorney’s Alexandria, Virginia, office.

Blizzard, a criminal justice studies major from Bethesda, Maryland, saw the legal process from the perspective of those directly affected by crime as he worked in the victim witness unit. That meant a summer of meeting with high-profile prisoners, assisting and communicating with victims and witnesses throughout court proceedings.

“It’s hard to fathom the fact I can say I worked for the U.S. government,” Blizzard said. “Just being able to say that is rewarding, but it’s an unbelievable feeling to know I spent the summer working for something much greater than myself.”

The summer opened Blizzard’s eyes to future internship and career possibilities. He recognized the significance of exploring career preparation early in his college years.

“I now have the confidence to seek other opportunities I may have been hesitant to seek,” he said. “Now, I feel like I can definitely make a positive impact in any work environment.”

The experience also gave the intern newfound gratitude for the thousands of people who staff federal offices across the country.

“Many people don’t understand how many people work for the government and how hard they work to keep the nation running,” Blizzard said. “Seeing how they loved their jobs and that hard work gave me greater appreciation for them because they often go unnoticed.”