Political science and public policy major Noah Cassil ’27 spent his summer immersed in community organizing and the happenings of local government.

From knocking on hundreds of doors as a constituent outreach intern for Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (D-20) to interning for a day with Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Carlos F. Acosta where he learned how due process applies in a court of law, Cassil got a first-hand look into how government impacts real people.

“Despite the current political climate, I continue to be interested in a career in public service, and potentially running for office, so I wanted to get involved with local government this summer to help spread awareness to my community about meaningful programs and benefits folks might be eligible for,” said Cassil, who helped register over 400 体育买球 students through nonpartisan registration efforts last fall.

Internship teaches the ways of community outreach and local government

During his internship with Charkoudian, Cassil, of Silver Spring, Maryland, knocked on hundreds of doors throughout his district providing residents with information guides to community resources including unemployment benefits, health insurance, energy assistance and nutrition programs. Cassil also gathered constituent feedback, helped promote District 20 events and shared information with Charkoudian to inform her legislative agenda.

“I heard directly from people impacted by government layoffs and budget cuts,” Cassil said. “I understand that me explaining to someone how they can initiate an unemployment insurance claim will not make up for them losing their job, but it’s a way to help provide immediate relief to those who desperately need it.”

Cassil, who interned in U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s Maryland district office, last summer, highlighted distinctive comparisons and differences from the two experiences.

“Both opportunities provided meaningful ways to help solve peoples’ problems that are interfering in their day-to-day lives. However, at a time when political polarization can be so overwhelming, the ability to interact face to face with folks is so important.”

While Cassil spent most of his 12-week internship knocking on doors and organizing events, he also spent time learning about policy making, community organizing and local Maryland politics from Charkoudian herself.

“Some of my favorite moments of the summer were driving to and from events with Lorig, when I could ask her questions and get her advice about pursuing a public service career,” Cassil said. “She always gave me straight answers and thoughtful counsel.”

Learning about the court system through an unexpected opportunity

At one of Charkoudian’s events Cassil helped organize, he struck up a conversation with an attendee who turned out to be Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Carlos F. Acosta. The judge, who coincidentally attended the same high school as Cassil, invited him to do a one-day internship to learn firsthand about the judicial system.

“I arrived at the courthouse at 8:30 a.m. and sat in on two cases that were polar opposites — one dealt with a civil claim about a car warranty, while the other focused on what evidence to allow in a child sexual abuse case,” Cassil said. In between hearings, Acosta took Cassil to lunch, where the two discussed the judge’s career path, first as a prosecutor and then his move to the bench.

“While learning more about the Maryland court system and the nuances involved in case proceedings, I also learned about Judge Acosta’s thought process when issuing his rulings,” Cassil said. “I have the utmost respect and appreciation for his thoughtful and holistic approach to the judiciary.”

Perseverance pays off

Despite Cassil interning with a U.S. senator during summer 2024 and multiple spring interviews for summer 2025 internships, he didn’t have an internship lined up at the start of summer break.

“Just as I was starting to panic, my mom saw a blurb in our local state delegate’s newsletter about a summer internship to conduct community outreach and passed the info on to me,” Cassil explained. “I quickly applied and within a week was hired as a constituent outreach intern. At the time, I had no idea how rewarding an experience it was going to be, or that it was going to lead to another opportunity.

“Adversity is inevitable, and I would argue it can be a positive. But it’s also important to remember, you don’t know where your next opportunity will be.”