If you have a concern for the Mayor’s Office, Viviana Lopez is happy to take your call. It is her job, after all.
Lopez is a political science student at UW-Milwaukee, and she is also the head intern and scheduling assistant in Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s Office. Lopez helps update and maintain the mayor’s calendar, fills in for the front-desk secretary on occasion, and helps provide guidance and direction for other interns in the office. She assists in drafting correspondence and writing proclamation letters and certificates. As the head intern, Lopez also proofreads the other interns’ work before it’s sent to the mayor for his signature.
“It’s really been a great opportunity here, thanks to UWM and the City of Milwaukee giving me a chance to work with them,” Lopez said.
Even though she likes the job now, Lopez was surprised that she got hired in the first place. Lopez is a first-generation college student. She grew up on Milwaukee’s south side and chose UWM because it was affordable and close to home. Being near her family is important to Lopez; it was her aunt who first sparked her interest in political science.
“She opened my eyes to government here in the United States. Growing up with my Hispanic family, it’s something that hits home a lot, with immigration (policies) and all of that,” Lopez said. “I wanted to study something that would help me be in a position of power to help people.”
She’s enjoyed her classes at UWM, especially a first-year seminar on the history of Milwaukee. She felt confident in her academics, but when she received an email asking for students to apply for internships in city government, Lopez thought she would be a long shot at best.
“I applied as a joke with my boyfriend. I was like, why not?” she said. To her surprise, she was asked to sit for an interview. To her greater surprise, she was offered a job. Now, two years later, Lopez has moved up the intern ranks and is a mentor to the students who came after her.
Being part of local government means getting to see politics in action. She’s seen how national politics impact the day-to-day function of Milwaukee. She’s watched as the policies set forth by Milwaukee’s Common Council are implemented in hopes of improving the lives of the city’s residents. She’s seen the lessons she learns in the classroom about history and governance play out on the city’s streets.
Most important of all, Lopez has learned that she likes helping others.
“When I’m sitting in the front, a lot of people come up here with questions, and getting to help them really does make my day, especially if it’s people who have a language barrier,” she said. “You can see in their expression how nice it is that another person of color who speaks their language is there to help them. I think that’s one of my favorite parts of the job, is that I get to help other people.”
It’s inspired her to start thinking about a career in politics. After graduation next year, she plans to attend graduate school – either to earn her masters of public administration or to become a lawyer.
Not only that, but this internship has also given Lopez a greater sense of self-confidence.
“I’m getting to grow as a person. I’ve definitely matured a lot,” she said. “When you put your mind to something, you can actually get it done. When you put yourself out there, the opportunities just get better.”
By Sarah Vickery, College of Letters & Science