The Sycamore Institute would like to offer a warm welcome to Max Bernstein and Walt Spickler, our summer Policy Interns. We asked Max and Walk to share a little bit about themselves below. If you or someone you know is interested in an internship with Sycamore, please visit SycamoreTN.org/jobs.
First let’s meet Max (pictured, left)!
Name: Max Bernstein
School: Emory University
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Why did you want to intern at the Sycamore Institute?
As someone who has no idea what they want to do with their career, I chose to intern at the Sycamore Institute to explore my passion for politics and research. Sycamore’s values of nonpartisan, data-driven research stood out as a great way to make meaningful change in my state.
Where do you want to be in 15 years?
In 15 years, I hope to travel the world with my amazing wife and perfect kids. By this time, I would like to have tried skydiving.
What are your interests and activities outside of school?
My interests outside of school revolve around two things: sports and music. I’m a die-hard Titans, White Sox, and Predators fan and spend much of my time agonizing over their most recent disappointments. For music, I am an avid fan of rock groups such as the Rolling Stones, Foreigner, and the Police. I dabble with playing guitar and keys as well.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I’m a really big fan of Euro-style board games and have blown a lot of money on them.
Now, let’s meet Walt (pictured, right)!
Name: Walt Spickler
School: Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands)
Major: Public Administration
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Why did you want to intern at the Sycamore Institute?
For a long time I really only followed national politics and policy making but I wanted to start to learn more about how the government functions at a local level specifically in my home state. Once I learned about Sycamore and their Tennessee focused policy research I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for me.
Where do you want to be in 15 years?
In 15 years I’d like to have passed the Foreign Service Officer Test and work in the political or economic career tracks. The idea of moving around the world working in different embassies and really getting to know a country for a couple of years before moving on fascinates me. With this I also hope to learn a second language as I have always wanted to become fluent in a foreign language.
What are your interests and activities outside of school?
In my free time you will find me playing either pickup soccer, basketball or whatever sport we have enough people for. I’m also somewhat of a history and geography nerd so I enjoy reading about those subjects. Finally, I love to travel and have been lucky enough to be able to solo travel a fair amount during my two years in college.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I can solve a rubik’s cube blindfolded.
