Five things our interns taught us this summer

Every summer, the Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget (PSB) invites a group of bright, eager students to spend 10-12 weeks with us as part of our public service internship program. These PSB interns gain hands-on experience, participate in professional development opportunities, and get a real chance to make an impact in their communities. In return, they bring fresh perspectives that help us see our work through a new lens. This summer was no different.

Here are the top five things they taught us:

1. Enthusiasm is contagious (and necessary)

There’s nothing quite like the energy of someone who’s eager to make a difference. Our interns jumped into big projects with both feet, bringing a level of enthusiasm that was not only refreshing but downright inspiring. Whether it was diving into the Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Strategic Plan or spending hours in the Archives to research our approach to managing environmentally sensitive lands, they approached each challenge with a “can-do” spirit that rubbed off on the rest of us. Their passion reminded us that enthusiasm is indeed contagious—and it has the power to drive meaningful change.

2. In addition to the many explicit rules, the many unsaid rules make it challenging to work with government

Working in government is like navigating a maze—one with clearly marked paths and, more often than not, plenty of hidden ones, too. While interns were quick to learn the explicit rules of our processes and procedures, it was the “unsaid rules” that truly highlighted the complexities of working in public service.

For instance, missing a meeting here isn’t just about not showing up; it’s about understanding the ripple effect it can have on multiple teams. When do you use email vs. phone? Interns taught us how much of our day-to-day is based on norms that aren’t always explained outright. Their willingness to ask questions, even seemingly obvious ones, reminded us how important it is to make these unwritten rules more transparent—for everyone’s sake.

3. Growth happens when you share strengths and challenges

One of the most remarkable things we observed this summer was how much our interns grew after the mid-point retreat. During this gathering, they had the opportunity to openly share common challenges they were facing, as well as the unique strengths each of them brought to the table. This honest exchange not only built trust but also created a strong sense of camaraderie among them.

By openly discussing their experiences, the interns realized that many of their struggles—whether it was navigating complex procedures, understanding the unwritten rules, or managing workloads—were shared. This realization created a supportive environment where they felt comfortable asking for help and leaning on each other for advice and encouragement. More importantly, it allowed them to identify areas where they wanted additional learning and development. Armed with this insight, we were able to organize targeted professional development workshops led by colleagues in our department. These workshops provided hands-on learning experiences and mentorship that were directly aligned with the interns’ needs.

The result?

Exponential growth. The interns not only deepened their understanding of public service but also built confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully to our work. Their experience showed us that growth isn’t just about individual effort; it’s about creating spaces where people can share, support each other, and collectively push toward new heights. It was an important reminder that when we embrace both our challenges and our strengths, we all move forward together.

4. Sharing power (and snacks) leads to better results

When you share power, you share ownership—and when you share ownership, amazing things happen. This summer, our interns transformed a loosely organized summer potluck into an inclusive and enjoyable event themed around “the Paris Olympics.” Not only was there a music and an MC to keep the energy high, but the interns arranged for a fencing lesson from a former junior Olympic fencer, medals for the best Olympic-inspired dishes, and an authentic Ethiopian coffee demonstration.

It wasn’t just about official roles, though. The interns also taught us the power of sharing in smaller, more personal ways—like bringing snacks to meetings (seriously, who knew furikake chex mix could unite us all?). These simple acts of sharing showed us that a little kindness, collaboration, and yes, snacks, can go a long way in achieving better results.

5. Smelling the roses is important

In the hustle and bustle of back-to-back meetings, emails, and report writing – it’s easy to lose sight of the world outside our office walls. Our interns reminded us of the importance of stepping back and appreciating the context in which we operate. Whether it was field trips to the King County Airport, Brightwater Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Harbor Island Studios, or simply exploring the rich history around us in the International District and the Courthouse, our interns taught us to take a break and “smell the roses.” These experiences helped us gain a renewed appreciation for how far we’ve come, and a deeper understanding of the communities we serve.

Fresh perspectives, renewed energy

Our interns didn’t just bring fresh perspectives; they brought valuable lessons that have enriched our work and our teams. They helped us appreciate the challenges that community members face when working with us and showed us how we can better support each other as we grow together. Most importantly, they reminded us to use the power of enthusiasm, shared authority, and shared snacks to achieve better results.

As we reflect on this summer, we’re reminded of how far we’ve come and feel a renewed sense of energy for where we want to go. A huge thank you to Esther Yang-Duquez, Hayden Wong, Mackenzie Crampton, Nani Galoro, and Stephanie Espinoza for being an important part of our teams this summer; as well as the intern managers T.J. Stutman, Steven Sawada, Michelle Peterson, Susano Surface, Sasha Gourevitch and Ivan Miller; and intern program team Stephanie Killough, Madeleine Magana, Janet Lee, Seth Watson and Michael Jacobson. Here’s to the next generation of public service leaders—they’ve left their mark on us, and we hope we’ve left a mark on them too.

Pictured: The PSB interns learn about how Brightwater Wastewater Treatment Plant processes our waste without emitting any smells to the nearby community.

Pictured: On a walking tour of the International District, we learned how to “read” what the different balcony styles tells us about the history of discriminatory practices.

Pictured: No summer is complete without a trip on the King County Water Taxi! One of the many unique services we provide is a 10-minute water taxi from Downtown Seattle to West Seattle.

Pictured: Harbor Island Studios is one of King County’s latest innovative efforts to support the creative economy. PSB interns had an opportunity to sit on set and see what it takes to make a movie.