At DSPolitical, we believe in investing in the next generation of tech and media leaders. This summer, our cycle interns bring a vibrant boost to our DC office with their fresh perspectives and energy.
Some of our current team members got their start exactly where this year’s interns are now. Erin joined DSPolitical as an intern and is currently a Senior Media Planning Associate, proof of the growth this internship can lead to. Here’s what she had to say about her journey:
“I started at DSPolitical as an intern in 2022, interested in strategy and politics, and had such a positive experience that I came back full time in 2024. It has come full circle now that I manage the Media Planning Intern Team. My biggest goal is to make sure they walk away with the same experience I did.”
Last month, we welcomed several talented interns to our team across departments. To see how they have settled into their roles, we spoke with interns Malaika and Diego from our Media Planning Team, as well as Laurel and Yuguo from our Programmatic Trading Team, to talk about their first impressions, our team culture, and their goals during the internship.
Q: What brought you to DSPolitical?
Diego: My previous experiences all focus on community engagement and social impact. DSPolitical stood out as a place where I could grow professionally without losing sight of the mission-driven work I care about. The focus on the technology side of advertising will give me a fresh perspective I haven’t experienced before.
Malaika: My internship experiences consisted of knocking on doors, community outreach, and hands-on field work. When I came across DSPolitical, I thought it would be a great opportunity to build on that work through a new lens!
Yuguo: I was really drawn to the intersection of politics, technology, and voter data. I’ve done field campaign work before for a Democratic candidate, and I was excited by the opportunity to learn how campaigns reach voters from the digital advertising side.
Q: What are you most looking forward to learning about during this internship?
Malaika: I am looking forward to learning about the strategies that go into forming a media plan and how I can make a meaningful impact on Democratic campaigns through technology.
Yuguo: I’m interested in learning about how to evaluate campaign performance and better understand the political advertising landscape. I’m especially curious about diving deeper into the data and tech that reach persuadable voters.
Laurel: I want to explore a new side of politics. My background is in policy and communications, so this is my first time seeing the tech infrastructure behind the messaging and Democratic campaigns.
Q: What is one thing about the company or the team culture that surprised you within your first few days?
Diego: There seems to be a strong sense of community and efficiency. Things move fast but not without attention to detail, collaboration, and having a good time along the way.
Laurel: I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how collaborative the environment is. There has definitely been a learning curve, but everyone has been very eager to help, and the team has made it feel a lot less intimidating.
Yuguo: I was surprised by how welcoming, flexible, and relaxed the team culture feels. Everyone has been very approachable and willing to answer questions, even with a hybrid work environment.
Q: If you could fast-forward to your last week here, what is one thing you hope to have accomplished?
Malaika: By my last week, I hope to walk away with a real understanding of how media planning drives results for campaigns. I also hope that I’ll have built friendships and connections that I can carry with me for a lifetime.
Diego: I aim to have gained deep proficiency in the systems and workflows essential to the Media Planning department. I’ve appreciated the hands-on training from my mentors, and my primary goal is to see the growth in how I contribute to the team by November.
Laurel: I’d love to look back and have a clear understanding of how digital advertising tech powers Democratic campaigns, from start to finish. I’m hoping to walk away with a sense of how programmatic advertising translates into political impact.
Q: What is your go-to morning routine or caffeine source to get ready for the day?
Malaika: I always start my day with an iced latte! Most days I just add brown sugar or honey to sweeten my latte, but when I feel fancy, I’ll add a spoon of chocolate chip cookie dough syrup. I also love a good matcha.
Diego: I have to start my morning by listening to an energetic album, usually Beyoncé, on the way to work. Definitely give Alien Superstar a listen!
Yuguo: I love making my own coffee, whether that’s an apple Americano or a hot latte. I also like watering my plants, which makes the day feel a little calmer before work starts.
Laurel: I typically start my morning with a strong iced coffee while I play the NYT Connections and Sudoku – non-negotiable!
Just the Beginning
Our 2026 Intern Class is incredibly passionate and excited for their summer at DSPolitical. We’re thrilled to have them on board and can’t wait to watch them grow as professionals and see the amazing work they’ll accomplish throughout the rest of their time with us.