Meet the interns

It’s summertime and that means that interns, co-ops and fellows are joining the BSD ranks for the next several months. Blue State Digital is excited to welcome these new additions to our team.

We have thirteen interns, co-ops and fellows joining us in our D.C. and New York offices, and we’re excited to showcase their impressive achievements and hobbies. BSD welcomes a debate team coach, two avid painters, a few cooks, and students of communications, political science, art, design, international economics, and much more.They come from everywhere, including Texas, New York, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Joey Appley-Epstein is a senior political science major at The George Washington University and has interned with BSD since 2007, except for a short break to work at the Federal Trade Commission.He focuses on research and content as well as new business development. When not working or in class, he enjoys hanging out in DC and Atlanta, spending time with his fraternity brothers, and watching college football.

How many peppers did Peter Piper pick?
I wasn’t there nor do I have a lot of pepper-picking experience but 6 sounds like a good guess.

Emilie Aries graduated from Brown University this May with a B.A. in political science. Born and raised in South Windsor, CT, Emilie has worked on political campaigns in CT, VA, RI, and NH, focusing on communications and new media. Besides politics, Emilie also loves the outdoors (hiking, biking, beach volleyball, running) and old TCM romance flicks.

When you were in kindergarten, what did you want to be and why?
First female President of the United States. When I heard there hadn’t yet been a woman elected to the highest office, I considered it a challenge.

 

 

David Berman grew up in New York City and is currently a junior at Brown University where he is working towards completing a degree in political science. He has also worked at Global Strategy Group where he performed research to assist in developing polls for campaigns in Ohio, California, Illinois and New York. David loves to play sports, basketball in particular, in his spare time.

What’s your favorite way to waste time online? (Not that we do ANY of that at BSD, of course!)
Sporcle.com, the most addicting site on the web

Joe Berman just finished his freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University where he is studying Electrical and Computer Engineering. For the past two summers, Joe worked on the IT team with the Obama Campaign. In his free time, Joe enjoys playing sports and listening to Classic Rock and Blues music.

What’s been your best day in college?
My best day in college has got to be the Monday after parents weekend, not because I was finally free again, but because I got to see the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band put on a six hour concert for the Obama campaign at Penn State.

Conner Finlay will be a fourth year student at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. He is currently studying Applied Networking, Security, and Systems Administration with a minor in Criminal Justice. While at school Conner participates in the Security Practices and Research Student (SPARSA) organization, works at the school's data center, and plays intramural soccer (5-time champion). In his free time he like to play sports and hang out with friends.

When you were in kindergarten, what did you want to be and why?
When I was in kindergarten I wanted to be Boston Red Sox player. I am from the Boston area, so I grew up watching the Red Sox.

Vanessa Koch is entering her senior year at Carnegie Mellon University where she studies communication design.  Last summer she interned with Troika Design Group working on various broadcast branding projects. She spent her fall 2008 semester studying design in Florence, Italy. She enjoys photographing people and places and traveling the world.

If you could have any job (existing or newly created) in Obama’s White House, what would you choose?
Color expert for choosing Obama's ties

 

Matthew McKnight was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He earned his B.A. in English from Morehouse College in 2008 and is currently studying journalism at Georgetown University. When he’s not working or in class, Matthew enjoys running, listening to jazz, and reading.

What are your three favorite television shows?
Seinfeld, Good Eats and Jeopardy!

 

 

Originally from Connecticut, Shana McMahon graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in International Politics and International Economics.  Currently she is pursuing a master's degree in PR/Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.  Outside of work, she is an avid fan of UConn basketball, enjoys most sports and loves to travel any chance she gets.

If you were any tool in the toolbox, which would you be and why?
Monkey wrench, because I have always wondered how they came up with that name!

John Patrick is a graduate student in the Human Communication Studies Department at California State University, Fullerton. His emphasis is in persuasion, argumentation and social influence. In his free time John likes to play and write music, coach debate, and paddle around in his kayak. His past jobs have included Jungle Cruise Skipper at the Disneyland Resort and professional journalist. He will begin working as an adjunct professor of speech communication at the University of La Verne in the fall.

If they made a movie of your life, who would be cast to play you?
Keifer Sutherland, because people actually stop me on the street to tell me I look like him. They also say Tom Green sometimes. I prefer the former.

Lucas Pattan is from South Carolina by way of Texas and is a rising junior at New York University where he's studying history and public policy. He has worked for the Clinton Foundation, Mayor Bloomberg's Office, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's Office, and as an intern with Congressman Patrick Kennedy. He's an avid rower, biker, cook and a huge fan of NPR’s "This American Life."

If you made it to the Miss/Mr. USA pageant talent round – what do you do to knock out the competition?
Take the time to switch out the questions normally posed to contestants and replace them with questions from Trivial Pursuit.

Mike Schneider is from Hillsdale, NJ and is a senior at Colgate University. Prior to joining BSD, he launched two businesses and served as the eCampaign Coordinator for Christopher Shays’ congressional campaign. After that campaign was trounced by BSD’s toolset, Mike was eager to come aboard.

What are your top 3 favorite television shows of all time?
Toss up for first and second is between Nickelodeon GUTS and Legends of the Hidden Temple. After those, Lost and Entourage tie for third (yes, I realize that’s 4).

Matthew Stern is an aspiring artist who is currently attending the Art Institute of Washington. Much of his time is consumed by very serious business, which is comprised mainly of painting. In his free time (of which there is very little) Matthew enjoys drawing pretty pictures and painting.

What’s your favorite cartoon character and why?
I’m a fan of the Joker, because he always has a fashionable exit strategy.

Linda Yang hails from Texas and studies public policy and international affairs at Princeton University. She is a self-taught designer and new media specialist because she spent her youth on the Internet. She likes to eat, dance, paint, eat, DJ, write, eat, travel, read, eat.

What’s your favorite viral link or video?
I love videos by Improv Everywhere and flash mob dance videos, most especially Hammer Pants Dance!

Emilie Aries helped compile and write this blog post.

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