SACOG Intern Spotlight

Nawel Tahraoui, Government & Public Affairs Intern

“What’s it like being an intern at SACOG?” is a question the agency is often asked by interns who consider how an experience at the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) can set them up for success in their education and careers. Nawel Tahraoui, who interned with the Government & Public Affairs team, shares her experience over the last year and how she is using the knowledge she’s gained while pursuing her undergraduate degree in political science and minor in public policy at the University of California, Berkeley.

“I was initially confused about SACOG’s function did when I was first researching the organization. Because my classes and course materials emphasized broader federal-level pieces. I didn’t have the knowledge of how regional policies and politics worked,” she shared. But now, Nawel says she has a deeper understanding about regional government and feels more confident in her grasp of politics because of the experience. 

With a strong background in and passion for writing, Nawel has worked with various teams and projects at SACOG, having the opportunity to interview local government leaders to create content for the agency. In addition, Nawel supported agency projects by conducting outreach and research for SACOG events and initiatives. With these experiences, she was able to bring new perspectives back to her classes at school. “My simultaneous participating in school and my internship helped create a seamlessly blending curriculum,” she shared, making her schoolwork easier and solidifying her career path for a future in policy work.

Reflecting on the connections she has gained, Nawel added, “I really appreciated how committed to the agency’s mission the staff members were and how supportive they were for my growth,” added Nawel. She has built valuable relationships at the agency and found passionate professionals who have been supportive of her journey, and she says she hopes to seek similar environments as she pursues her long-term career.

SACOG is proud to have been part of Nawel’s journey, and we wish her the best as she continues her educational and professional development.