Testimonials
Rong Rachael Hu, '06
Duke University, Agilent Technologies Intern
This program provides the great opportunity to participate the public policy process in the high-tech industry. Specifically, you would get lots of insights of how those leading technology companies interact with each other, interact with associations and interact with the government, from the public policy perspective. Come here and you would just become excited on the policy events in Washington DC. Besides, this fellowship provides great network opportunities for you to meet many great people, which is very important and only few internship programs could provide it.
Leslie Liang, '06
Stanford University, CEO Technology Council Intern
The Tisdale Fellowship was the perfect opportunity to experience the intersection of high-technology and public policy, allowing students like me to apply a technical background to issues that impact our industries, economy, and society. It was a perfect segue for me personally as I head to law school, and I am more inspired than ever to study IP and technology law. Regardless of background or experience, this Fellowship provides great exposure to high-tech policies, lobbying, and the DC environment. If nothing else, this Fellowship will demonstrate the integrity with which lobbyists, trade groups, and corporations advocate for particular issues and inspire you to carry forth with the same strong character in anything you do and perhaps one day return to DC.
David Ben Carollo, '06
Indiana University, Hewlett-Packard Intern
The exposure to the various policy issues will truly prepare me to approach my future policy studies as well as all sorts of professional situations. The access that I had to policy makers and the exposure I received to important issues far exceeded anything that my peers experienced during their internships. Additionally, the collegial atmosphere of the fellowship really helped me feel at home in D.C. Getting to know the other fellows was possibly the best part of the experience, and I am glad that I am able to call the seventh class of Tisdale Fellows my friends.
Erica Camese, '06
Carnegie Mellon University, Computing Research Analysis Intern
This Fellowship has allowed me to forge professional and personal relationships that are likely to last for a long time. I have learned through my experiences and feel that I have grown because of them. If you want to be able to have a meaningful experience, then you’ll apply for this Fellowship. I was able to be a meaningful part of a legislative affairs team. I was a part of a dynamic office that quickly enfolded me into their routine; I was a part of the team. I was able to go to Congressional hearings as well as discuss our position with Congressional staff. I posted policy blogs to display our position on our webpage and I summarized upcoming bills to be reviewed. I was even able to compose part of a report that will be presented to Congress when they reconvene.
Sherry Ambrose, '05
Princeton University, Dell Intern
The Tisdale Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to see the policy process from the perspective of the private sector while simultaneously enabling students interested in high tech issues to learn more about the companies that lead the high tech industry…. You'll attend meetings and hearings, learn about your sponsoring company, and get a crash course in the hot tech topics of the summer. Tisdale Fellows spend a lot of time out in the city learning by doing.Beyond that, the Tisdale Fellowship includes a network of great people. You'll meet peers who share your interests, administrators who care about your experience, and the friends of Eben Tisdale who will share his memory with you.
Min Li Chan, '05
Stanford University, Business Software Alliance Intern
In the nation’s capital, I had the opportunity to observe, experience, and engage in a dynamic interplay of market forces, legislative forces, and the fruits of applied science interlocking and ultimately articulating, amplifying, or tempering technology’s impact on society. This fuller and more complete snapshot of technology is especially gratifying to someone like me - an electrical engineering major with a strong interest in policy and the social sciences. This Fellowship is not confined to tech geeks; I learned a great deal from my fellow Fellows, who are Public Policy-oriented recent undergrads, grad students, and PhD students. I had the opportunity to observe and experience the full tech lobbying process of learning about issues, putting forward policy strategies as courses of action, soliciting feedback from Congress and the tech industry, lobbying for particular public policy priorities, and responding effectively to developments or challenges along the way.
Luana Espana, '05
University of California Berkeley, Agilent Technologies Intern
During the program, I had direct experiences in learning how to craft policy. I quickly saw that policy reports, press conferences, hearings, coalition meetings, and lobbying were integral parts in the creation of policy that benefits the high-tech industry, the economy and people. I worked on issues that are very important to maintaining the competitiveness of the United States: such as improving the math and science curriculum in k-12, ensuring that universities are properly funded to continue long-term research in science, math and engineering, and working on H-1B visas policy that benefits our economy.
Sarala Nagala, '05
Stanford University, Hewlett-Packard Intern
If you are looking for exposure to the world of high tech policymaking, lobbying and advocacy, or industry interactions with government, the Tisdale Fellowship is an excellent way to spend the summer. The program’s foundations in camaraderie and mentorship allow students to cultivate relationships with dedicated high-tech players in Washington, and the learning opportunities are both vast and unique. My experience this summer has made me consider a career in government relations, and the friendships I’ve formed with my class of Tisdale Fellows, the Tisdale Fellowship administrators, and my company sponsors at Hewlett-Packard are irreplaceable.
Claire Rojstaczer, '05
Pomona College, CEO Technology Council Intern
The most substantive contribution I made during my Fellowship was to CSPP’s white paper on healthcare information technology (HIT), where I was given the opportunity to fact-check, edit, and write various sections of the report. I also spent time digging up sources for other participants in the project and generally informing myself on HIT. I knew nothing about the topic before I began working at CSPP but now consider myself well enough informed to explain it to laymen, although not to debate it with experts. The contributions I made there, however, do not begin to equal the return I received from attending. Spending three days listening to expert high tech policy makers and industry representatives, all of whom were more than willing to answer my questions when approached, both enhanced my understanding of the issues and gave me an in-depth look into the work lives of high tech policy advocates
Erin Krampetz, '04
Stanford University, Hewlett Packard Intern
As Fellows, we were invited into the home of one of the program founders on the first day of the program, fostering an environment of family that is unheard of in most fellowship programs. I had never considered working in DC or working for the high-tech in the public policy arena. Now working in this field is not only a viable option, but something I hope to pursue either in DC or elsewhere focusing specifically on education technology policy.
Jason Yeh, '04
Carnegie Mellon University, Infotech Strategies Intern
With this fellowship, you learn about all the most important current tech policies and politics from the best mentors (also the best political consultants). During my fellowship, I researched and helped in the area of education assessment. Education assessment is becoming an increasingly important topic, because with the No Child Left Behind Act, testing will be used to compare learning progress nationally to ensure all students are progressing. Overall, this is an amazing internship. All you need to bring is a proactive attitude. Ask for work. Ask to sit in meetings. You do not need to have anything else
Ashwini Mal, '04
University of California Los Angeles, Business Software Alliance Intern
By placing the fellows in different companies we got a broad view on issues faced by the high-tech industry and the strategies used to overcome challenges. The lunches and other speaker events all helped us get a better sense of technology policy. Regardless of our background we were able to understand the technical, economic, business, and cultural issues faced by tech policy. Regardless of the field the fellows end up working in they will have an appreciation of high-tech policy and be official or unofficial advocates.
Wei Wendy Wu, '03
Duke University, Agilent Technologies Intern
The Tisdale Fellowship is a perfect opportunity for students who are interested in how the high tech industry interacts with the policy world. I covered a wide range of the hottest topics on the Capitol Hill, such as immigration, manufacturing outsourcing, homeland security, international tax and trade issues. Through intensively researching, attending meetings and writing reports on these issues, I have increased my knowledge base of these topics. Equally important, the fellowship and Agilent have provided me with great opportunities to enhance my communication and interpersonal skills. There were numerous occasions that I had to stand on my feet and talk with members of Congress and related staff, debate with other fellows on policy issues, and communicate my thoughts across to my colleagues.
Justin Lomheim, '03
University of California Los Angeles, CEO Technology Council Intern
While most of my friends were busy competing with hundreds of other interns for the opportunity to make coffee, answer a phone, or write a constituent letter; I had the incredible opportunity to experience the high-tech industry hands-on…. At the Computer Systems Policy Project I had the opportunity to contribute towards preparation for a retreat of eight major technology CTOs regarding current policy topics on the hill, research and write various policy recommendations, attend meetings on export controls, and perform research and substantive work in support of CSPP’s “economic growth and productivity” initiative…. Perhaps the best part of the Fellowship was not just the interaction with the Washington high-tech community, but also developing relationships with the other Tisdale Fellows. I am confident that the relationships will last for years to come, and I am excited to see where life takes each of them.
Nina Bilimoria, '03
Stanford University, Philips Electronics Intern
From the weekly lunches that created stimulating roundtable discussions about high-tech policy to the touching dinners that set the mood at the beginning and the end of the summer, everything was perfectly orchestrated. The commitment that the directors made to each fellow to offer advice at any point in our budding careers is rarely made by other politicians in DC and even more rarely meant. In the office, I was exposed to opportunities and meetings that no undergraduate could ever think to be invited to participate in. My two main projects for the summer were Philips’ efforts to gain a share of the very current US-led Iraq reconstruction and an internal project to improve the company’s government procurement structure. As a student of international development, I was more than pleased to delve into the intricate networking and teamwork that drove the Iraq project. Alongside vice presidents and CEOs, I experienced firsthand an unprecedented type of project at the Philips Washington Office…. The exposure that I received to multiple arenas of DC politics and business will be invaluable as I decide the path that I would like my career in public policy to take.
Christen Young, '02
Stanford University, Hewlett Packard Intern
As a Tisdale fellow I was thrown into the middle of an exciting community, bubbling with concerns about intellectual property, homeland security, recycling, education, tax law, international trade agreements, and much more. I spent my days racing back and forth between the Hewlett-Packard Government Affairs office, Capitol Hill, fundraisers for members of congress, the State Department, and Tisdale fellowship events and meetings. Yet the diversity of the Tisdale experience is balanced by specificity-fellows are responsible for preparing a long-term project at their sponsoring organization or company. In my case I worked on codifying HP’s approach to Digital Rights Management, a project that challenged my creativity, research skills, and writing ability.
Laura Forlano, '02
Columbia University, Infotech Strategies Intern
The professional network that one can build in just eight short weeks by being part of the Tisdale Fellowship is really amazing. In addition, I have become friends with some of the other Fellows who will undoubtedly be a lifelong peer network in the fields as we pursue the career plans that led us to the Tisdale Fellowship…. At my internship, I carefully followed the debate over export controls, privacy, digital rights management, and other tech policies in the Capitol. Attending committee hearings and think tank symposiums provided great insight into the minds of the policymakers and corporate decision makers who decide how and when new technologies will affect public policy.
Elvia Morales, '02
Carnegie Mellon University, Agilent Technologies Intern
Public policy is very difficult to explain without the hands on experience -real world practice - without the physical presence in the heated environment of Washington DC! The experience I received from my fellowship placement is very indicative of that of a seasoned technology advocate, and the mentorship from my supervisors was remarkable. Everyone involved with the Eben Tisdale Fellowship is interested in instilling on us the personal qualities with which Eben approached his work and earned his title, respect, and admiration from everyone in the technology industry.
Matthew Crafton, '02
University of Virginia, Business Software Alliance Intern
Each Fellow is given responsibility as well as personal attention to help him grow in knowledge and gain experience. This is not your typical internship. My host organization (BSA) tailored my work to my interests and gave me the freedom to pursue what I wanted. I was able to draw on my background in Economics in working toward the passage of Trade Promotion Authority, which will have far-reaching consequences on international trade in years to come.
Catherine Simonsen, '02
Stanford University, Philips Electronics Intern
I was given the opportunity to sit in on countless internal meetings and lobbying initiatives with key lawyers, engineers, policymakers, and Congress people. I also wrote two updates for the website about their recent lobbying initiatives and the fruits thereof. Finally, during the last half of the program, I researched and developed a lengthy report about the future trends in consumer audio and the direction Philips Electronics should head based on those trends. Philips circulated that report within the internal communications website of the company…. The companionship I formed with the other fellows over the course of the summer was quite unique, and I believe I will stay in touch with many of them in the coming years.
Billy Hwan, '01
Stanford University, IBM Intern
What most impressed me about the experience was the people involved. My co-workers were extremely talented and sharp, yet friendly and supportive. Help was always there when I needed it, and my mentors provided appropriate amounts of guidance, autonomy, and feedback. Also, the organizers of the Fellowship were genuinely concerned with our well-being and fostered a sense of family absent from most other internship programs. I also respected and valued the other fellows immensely; each was uniquely accomplished, open-minded, and engages.
Ryan W. Ozimek, '01
University of California Los Angeles, Infotech Strategies Intern
In order to be successful in the policy arena, you need to build a network of individuals fighting for you causes. This fellowship provides you the key to open doors in the Washington community. The people you meet are the leaders of corporations, trade associations, interest groups, and public office. It gives you the opportunity to bridge interests in policy and technology to help promote a successful model for future high-tech governance.
Sandra Liu, '01
Stanford University, Business Software Alliance Intern
During my first week at the Business Software Alliance, I attended a dinner meeting with our Policy Council members. I had barely learned which Metro stop was which before I was meeting the heads of the government affairs offices of key companies such as Apple, Compaq, Network Associates, IBM and Microsoft. I was sent up to the Hill to write-up House and Senate hearings on tech issues such as consumer privacy, domain name record, and the Internet tax moratorium for the BSA.
Rupa Patel, '01
Stanford University, Dell Intern
I left Washington armed with knowledge about key high tech issues, as well as a first hand glimpse into what the industry is doing about them. I had a wide range of responsibilities while at Dell. I wrote reports on how knowledge controls affect Dell, as well as summaries on education legislation. In addition, I attended hearings on Internet taxation, workplace ergonomics, and expert controls. Other projects I undertook were setting up an online database of Dell's meetings with legislators, and coordinating a reception on Capitol Hill.
Nathaniel Klemp, '01
Stanford University, Hewlett Packard Intern
When I first read about the Tisdale Fellowship, two words grabbed my attention: technology and lobbying. The word, which troubled me at first, was lobbying. Before the fellowship, I viewed lobbying pejoratively. It represented everything that I thought was wrong with our democratic system. What I found, however, was that there is no way to draw such black and white distinctions in politics. By working along side many lobbying is an important part of the IT industry, lobbying is an important part of the political process; it allows the industry to inform legislators and help shape policy.
Margaret Vo, '01
Stanford University, Agilent Technologies Intern
The Tisdale Fellowship provides a unique and intriguing view of the interaction between the high tech industry and government policy. During my Fellowship, the related legislative focus on the Hill was Internet privacy and broadband deployment. Being able to attend Congressional hearings on these issues gave me a much more complete understanding not only of the complexities of these issues, but also of the legislative process…. My mentors at Agilent were wonderful and have been positively conscientious about making sure that I am challenged with a variety of issues: both familiar and new to me, both in the office and on the Hill.
Gary Ong, '00
Stanford University, Infotech Strategies
I highly recommend the Tisdale Fellowship because it is the one and only fellowship of its kind that provides a simultaneous high-tech and public policy experience. Both high-tech included individuals wanting to learn more about high-tech policy issues and public policy majors who want to have broader exposure to high-tech developments in the high-tech world will find the Tisdale Fellowship an invaluable addition to their experience. The Fellowship at Infotech Strategies involved work projects on such diverse and interesting issues as network security and critical infrastructure protection, online privacy, export controls and Internet taxation. Lunches with other Tisdale Fellows included presentations on subjects ranging from education technology to intellectual property to software piracy to biotechnology, dynamically extending the range of experience even further.
Michelle Ontiveros, '00
Stanford University, IBM Intern
A person with a high interest in government affairs would be short-changed if he or she did not spend a summer interning in DC. There is not a better way to engulf oneself in politics then to go to where crucial political decisions are made everyday. Because Washington, DC is a perfect location for interns to settle for the summer, the number of available internships is immense. The Eben Tisdale Fellowship stands out because it places you with strong companies/organizations that are dedicated to making your summer a successful one. You will get hands-on experience in government affairs and have many opportunities to fine tune areas that you are already familiar with.
Stephen Obenski, '00
University of California Los Angeles, IBM Intern
There was a high level of autonomy and creativity I was expected to express at IBM. My co-workers were genuinely interested in my ideas. They were also concerned that I have a meaningful experience as an intern. For example, they knew from my application that I had interests in e-commerce and in international law and they immediately put me to work on crafting IBM's approach to e-commerce issues in upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations.