USC White House interns reflect on their time in the capital

Giancarlo Ceja had just graduated from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Jordan Lee had transferred into USC. Isabel Rodriguez was about to start graduate school at the university. Arriving from different stages of their academic careers, these Trojans achieved something that is a dream for many — an internship at the White House.

The 10-week internship — which included six Trojans this year — puts students in various offices at the White House over a summer. Drawing from their different backgrounds and regions of the country, the six White House interns show what is possible when academic achievement meets a commitment to public service.

Each intern shared their inspirations, experiences and aspirations to create a better world.

Giancarlo Ceja

• Hometown: Corona
• USC degree: Bachelor of Science in environmental studies and Bachelor of Arts in international relations and affairs

Giancarlo Ceja’s passion for public service and combating climate change started at a young age. Growing up in Corona, Ceja saw firsthand the effects of climate change in a historically disadvantaged community. That’s why he majored in environmental studies and international relations when he came to USC. Ceja said the combination allowed him to focus on the impacts of environmental policy.

“I’m indebted to my community for where I am today and what I’m doing now,” Ceja said.

At the White House, Ceja worked in the Office on Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation, where his responsibilities included data implementation for the clean energy provision of the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as engagement and administrative organization related to the daily operations of the office.

At the end of the 10 weeks, Ceja accepted a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute fellowship placement to stay in the White House in its Council on Environmental Quality. Ceja said that once that fellowship ends, he hopes to attend law school and earn his master’s degree in public policy.

“The broader goal is to help make sure that the resources that communities like mine need to combat the climate crisis are properly allocated and make sure that those people are properly protected from what’s about to happen if we don’t dramatically shift our climate trajectory,” Ceja said.

Emilia Correa

• Hometown: Santa Ana
• USC degree: Bachelor of Arts in public relations/image management

As the daughter of an elected official, Emilia Correa has seen the impact of public service her entire life. Her father, Lou Correa, represents California’s 46th Congressional District, which includes Santa Ana, a city with a high population of undocumented immigrants. Her personal passion for politics, however, developed after she witnessed how the 2016 election affected her community.

“That year was a huge turning point in the sense that I can do something, and this personally affects me and my life and my loved ones and my family — that’s what’s always been a guiding light for me,” Correa said.

Correa started her collegiate career at Chapman University in Orange before transferring to the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. While at USC, Correa interned with the Superior Court of California, the county of Orange and Super Bowl LVI. She graduated from USC in 2023 and was accepted into the White House internship program a year later, after her third time applying.

“I’m thankful I didn’t get accepted the first or second time I applied because I wouldn’t have had all the experience or knowledge that I do today,” Correa said.

After interning for the White House Office of Digital Strategy, Correa stayed in Washington, D.C. — and at the White House — accepting a position in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. She aims to pursue law school and entrepreneurial ventures in media and politics. Regardless of her path, she knows her experiences — good and bad — will help carry her to her next opportunity.

“At USC, I had to work for what I wanted and who I wanted to get in contact with,” Correa said. “There’s always someone who will land your dream role or job because they have the audacity to ask for it or put themselves in front of the person doing it.”

Jordan Lee

• Hometown: New York City
• USC degree: Bachelor of Arts in political science and Master of Science in social entrepreneurship

Jordan Lee’s path to the White House started in elementary school, when he served as fifth-grade class president. From there, he knew he wanted to dedicate his life to public service. This would eventually bring the Queens native to the political science program at USC Dornsife, where resources from the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab at the USC Marshall School of Business introduced him to the world of politics and furthered his passion for public service.

While at the White House, Lee worked in the Office of Management and Administration, where he said he was inspired to work with “inspirational movers and shakers all committed to public service and serving the public good.”

As someone focused on his social impact and planning to work in social sector strategy post-graduation, Lee emphasized his goal to run a philanthropic foundation, combining his experience in government, social entrepreneurship and nonprofit sectors.

“People see that as this extremely daunting task, but I like to take the optimistic viewpoint — we can do this if we have strong collaboration and put our actions where our mouths are,” Lee said.

Julianna Melendez

• Hometown: Las Vegas
• USC degree: Bachelor of Arts in international relations

Government was on Julianna Melendez’s path from a young age: As a high school student in Las Vegas, Melendez participated in the Nevada Youth Legislature. That experience led her to the international relations program at USC Dornsife, where Melendez said she’s been able to push herself inside and outside of the classroom.

“USC and my time here gave me the confidence to pursue the White House internship in the first place,” she said.

A first-generation, low-income student, Melendez interned in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, working with state legislators on policy priorities such as childcare, paid leave and gun violence. She said her time in the capital helped show her what’s possible for first-generation Latinas in government.

Melendez emphasized the importance of faith and representation in her advocacy work and plans to attend graduate school, potentially pursuing a master’s degree in Latin American studies or a law degree.

“I believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, and if I can get my foot in the door, I might as well bring in more people behind me,” she said.

Isabel Rodriguez

• Hometown: Hacienda Heights
• USC degree: Master of Public Diplomacy candidate

Unlike others in her cohort, Isabel Rodriguez had not yet taken a class at USC when she started her internship. After earning her bachelor’s degree in media studies from the University of California, Berkeley, Rodriguez was preparing to begin a graduate program in public diplomacy at the USC Annenberg when she learned she would be interning in the nation’s capital.

Through the internship, Rodriguez worked in the White House Office of Communications, specializing in outreach to marginalized communities.

“I always want to prioritize and amplify the voices of unheard people, as well as ensure that marginalized communities receive important and accurate news from specific outlets they trust most,” Rodriguez said.

Going forward, she aims to use her degree to work in international communications, continuing her commitment to public service and democratic preservation.

“I’ve always really been focused on how my work as a communicator can transform lives in the sense that knowledge is power,” she said.

Rachel Rosenblatt

• Hometown: Calabasas
• USC degree: Bachelor of Science in public policy

Rachel Rosenblatt found her passion for politics and got involved with student government in high school. During that time, she interned for her hometown of Calabasas, always with the support of her family.

“My parents both come from creative spaces, so I got my inspiration to try anything from them,” Rosenblatt said.

Although she began her time as a Trojan as a journalism major at USC Annenberg, Rosenblatt soon pivoted to the USC Price School of Public Policy. To preserve a creative outlet, she maintained a minor in public relations. In between classes, she combined her interests in public relations and policy through internships at multiple levels of government. Once in Washington, D.C., she interned in the Office of Digital Strategy, creating content for the official social media pages of the White House and President Joe Biden.

“I’ve always been kind of a shy person, but when it came to government and politics, I feel I didn’t necessarily have to be the loudest voice in the room to have my voice heard and be able to contribute a lot of really positive change,” Rosenblatt said.

After the internship, she worked for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. She said that for her next steps, she aspires to continue working in government, particularly in a creative capacity. The White House internship helped open doors Rosenblatt did not think possible, so she encouraged anyone interested to apply.

“It’s just an incredible all-around experience,” she said. “Just to see how the White House works — I don’t think you need to study political science to have a fruitful experience doing that.”