Communications of the ACM
Silicon Valley Beckoned, But He Went Home to Delaware
MIT senior Max Williamson is currently the director of outreach for Civic Synergy, which aims to bring students into productive cross-partisan conversations.
Credit: Jake Belcher
During his first year at MIT, Max Williamson faced what felt like a career-altering decision: pursue a coveted summer computer science research position at MIT, or return home to Delaware and intern for his senator.
His friends thought he was crazy to accept a summer internship with U.S. Senator Chris Coons over a high-paying career in Silicon Valley. Williamson supported the senator's constituent advocacy team, helping people with everything from filing taxes to avoiding eviction. He was exposed to a wide range of public policy issues in the process.
Now a senior majoring in computer science and electrical engineering with a minor in public policy, Williamson sees his technical background and coding skills as important assets in the policy arena. "As engineers, we can and should make meaningful, positive differences in public policy," he says.
From MIT News
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