Jessica Davis
Noah Patterson is one our favorite alums and one of those recently departed interns who leaves us grieving their absences. While he was here, this spring and summer, Noah contributed to an “underground” newsletter for CFJ interns that was a real hit in the lunch room and beyond. I asked him if I could borrow his interview with former intern Jessica Davis (below). Before we get to Jessica, let me just report that Noah is now a second year law student at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law where, on account of his demonstrated commitment to public service and public service law, he’s under full scholarship. He first interned at the Center from February to December 2006 while an undergraduate student at Whitworth University. Good thing for us he came back, this summer, to do another internship from May to August. Another good thing: Noah has agreed to continue his interviews of CFJ alumni and we’ll bring them to you, here, on a monthly basis, as Noah’s schedule permits.
Jessica Davis interned at the Center from January through May of 2006. Jessica was one of the first interns in the Center’s Community Advocacy program and also the very first Whitworth University intern to work at the Center. Jessica subsequently graduated from Whitworth in 2008.
Noah: What have you been doing since you interned at the Center?
Jessica: I recently graduated from Whitworth University with a B.A. in Journalism and History. I did not walk at graduation as I just returned from a five month trek through China and Southeast Asia. Part of my trip was spent in Burma after Cyclone Nargis killed thousands in the Irrawaddy Delta Region. I entered Burma on a tourist visa and smuggled in medical supplies. Once in Yangon (the capital), I handed out
Jessica in Burma
medical supplies, fed children and helped clear debris as much as I could. I had to do this all secretly, as the government was prohibiting all foreigners from distributing aid. I am currently searching for a job in hard news journalism.
Noah: What was it like being one of the first interns in the Center’s Community Advocacy (I think it was called Limited Advocacy when you were here) program?
Jessica: I learned so much as one of the first interns. Suellen allowed me to help shape the structure of the driver’s licensing program. I interviewed candidates, helped write letters to judges and organized files and data. I remember being very nervous about calling people. The internship helped me to become a better interviewer for my newspaper reporting.
Noah: What impact did working on Community Advocacy cases have on you?
Jessica: I remember listening to people expressing the desire to start working. First, they needed their driver’s license. I remember the people working hard to gain their lives back. What a difference something as simple as a driver’s license can make in someone’s life. Without a license people can have a hard time getting a job. I did so little for these people. I felt honored to be able to help them as much as I could.
Noah: What are your plans for the future?
Jessica: I plan to become an investigative journalist for a newspaper either in the United States or Southeast Asia.
Noah: If there is one thing you could say to Suellen Pritchard (the Community Advocacy supervisor), what would that be?
Jessica: Take a vacation!
Noah: Do you have a favorite quote? If so, what is it?
Jessica: “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” – Voltaire
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