Samantha Friedman, a senior paralegal studies student at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, was recently recognized by Indiana INTERNnet, the statewide resource for internship opportunities from the Indiana Chamber, as one of the top interns for 2008. The award was presented during the organization’s annual IMPACT Awards luncheon.

Friedman, a native of Jasper, Ind., served as a Senate Democrat intern during the 2008 session of the 115th Indiana General Assembly. She worked with State Senator John Broden (D-South Bend) and the Minority Attorney's Office.

“Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is honored that the Indiana Chamber and Indiana INTERNnet selected Samantha as one of the top student interns in the state,” said Jackie Fischer, director of interns at SMWC. “It is so important, particularly in today's competitive job market, that our students have quality internship experiences with professionals like Sen. Broden.”

The Indiana Senate Democratic Internship is open to all college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students in good academic standing. No specific major is required. Interns work full time for the duration of the session and earn a stipend as well as academic credit. The internship provides students with a unique educational opportunity to gain hands-on experience in Indiana state government.

As a legislative intern, Friedman’s duties included constituent correspondence, staffing committee hearings and working closely with senators to research legislative issues. The annual internship program is designed to provide valuable experiences for students who are integrally involved in the legislative process.

Friedman applied for the internship because she thought it would be a great opportunity. The internship also served as a chance for her to decide which area of the law she wanted to work in.

“It was a huge honor to have the opportunity to serve in this internship and to be nominated for this award,” Friedman said.

Kathryn L. Myers, associate professor and coordinator of paralegal studies at SMWC, says Friedman has definitely earned the recognition that she has received.

In addition to winning a coveted spot as a legislative intern, Friedman received an award for Legal Research and has been employed part time in a law office where she completed a second internship. She has also been involved in Indiana Legal Assistants at the Woods and is currently its president, she has served on the Paralegal Advisory Board, and she has helped organize in the College’s annual Law Day.

“Part of the value of our paralegal program is the emphasis on teaching practical skills and on making the students market-ready upon their graduation,” Myers said. “Our program and our graduates enjoy an excellent reputation nationwide. Employers know that our students can do the job of a paralegal and that their foundation of education is broad-based and rigorous.”

SMWC’s paralegal program aims to set the standard of excellence in liberal arts-based, career-oriented education that is both academically and technologically progressive within a personal, supportive environment. To achieve its educational mission, the paralegal program provides for the study and exchange of ideas and for the acquisition of career skills so that students think and communicate with greater awareness of themselves and others, gain valuable tools for employment, and develop resources for future opportunities. The program enjoys a 90% placement rate.

Students can pursue a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies through the campus-based program or the Woods External Degree (WED) distance-learning program. For more information, contact the SMWC Office of Admission by email at smwcadms@smwc.edu or by phone at 812-535-5106 or 1-800-926-SMWC.

Indiana INTERNnet is the statewide resource for internship opportunities from the Indiana Chamber. For more information about the Indiana INTERNnet program, visit www.indianaintern.net.