On Friday, we were scheduled to meet with our supervisor from 10 am to 5 pm to discuss Project 72. Project 72 is the most complicated process that I have ever seen. Project 72 details how the budget is executed on a daily basis. The problem with Project 72 is that it combines data found in the BEAs internal budgeting software with information stored on Microsoft Excel. It then requires a user to filter through the combined data, removing extraneous information in order to make the document easier to read. At the end of the process, a user has to convert the data into PDF format. The actual execution of this process is more difficult than words can describe.
During our meeting, Jeff gave our supervisor a new idea to help her get through the process more efficiently. His idea was to utilize a random protocol in Microsoft Excel that would color discrepancies purple, making them easier to remove after combining documents. Our supervisor was ecstatic, convincing him to try his idea. I was happy to see how easily she takes advice. Many bosses that I have seen are apprehensive about taking advice from interns. I am proud to say that she is not one of them.
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About Capital Careers
SPA students learn by doing. Capital Careers is a blog series that chronicles our students' internships in federal agencies, non-profits and other hubs of influence, which offer students the chance to live what they learn in class. Learn more.
About The Author
As a second year graduate student in the MPA program, my coursework focuses on social policy and how it is advocated to policymakers. I will be attending law school next year after completing this degree. I hope to combine the skills acquired through JD and MPA coursework to become a successful attorney and public manager.
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