The Bridge: Senior Gianna Baeza-Smith Reflects on Summer Internships

"If there is anything I've learned about internships, it's that they serve as a bridge between academic studies and real-world professional experiences." Senior sociology major Gianna Baeza-Smith is in no doubt that her summer break was well spent. "I was fortunate enough to complete two internships. One was with a forensic psychologist in Shreveport, Louisiana, and another with the 81st District Judge in Texas." Baeza-Smtih said that although the two fields intertwine within the legal system, her internship experiences were very different from one another.

It was in Jennifer Dillingham's class (Dillingham is an assistant professor in the political science, sociology, and geography department at TLU-who also happens to sit on the bench of the 81st District Court) that Baeza-Smith got the idea to propose an internship.

"During one of her classes, I became intrigued by her role as a judge and her in-depth knowledge of legal procedures and the justice system," said Baeza-Smith, whose studies center around criminal justice. "I approached her after class one day and asked if she offered internships to students."

Good things come to those who ask, and Baeza-Smith is glad she took that initiative. Dillingham responded with enthusiasm, and the two arranged for an internship, to begin in mid-June. Baeza-Smith spent her days observing courtroom proceedings and learning the structure and language of the law. "In the courtroom, I observed how everyone co-existed and understood the roles of attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, the court reporter, and the judge herself," she said. "What surprised me the most was how procedural the environment was. There is a repetition to every arraignment, plea deal, and hearing, so this provided a steady way of helping me understand how everything moves through the court system. Over time, I could confidently say I could identify the phases of a regular court day or trial and fully understand the decisions that were made."

Baeza-Smith spent time with the judge, debriefing after spells in the courtroom, and discussing how decisions were made and why. "These conversations not only helped me connect with Judge Dillingham, but also helped me connect what I was witnessing in court with the subjects that were covered in my classes."

The forensic psychology internship offered a very different set of lessons. "In contrast, the forensic psychology experience concentrated on assessing people's mental states concerning a crime they committed," Baeza-Smtih said. Again, she took the initiative to land the internship-this one, through her father's connections. "My dad is currently finishing his final year of residency to become a psychiatrist, so you can imagine he's made a lot of connections," she said. "One of his colleagues had a connection with forensic psychologist Jennifer Russel and shared her email with me. I reached out, introduced myself, and asked if she would be open to a conversation about her work."

The two scheduled a Zoom call that blossomed into a full-fledged internship, wherein Baeza-Smith observed Russel performing psychological evaluations and occasional therapy sessions. "Psychological assessments are the best way for psychologists to gain a deeper understanding of a person, but they can also carry significant weight in court settings," Baeza-Smith said. Such assessments usually include a battery of detailed questions about childhood, accountability, and mental state overall or at the time a crime was committed. "At first, watching these evaluations was a bit overwhelming because I was unfamiliar with the process and terminology used."

But like Judge Dillingham, Dr. Russel spent time with Baeza-Smith, answering questions and explaining what was going on during the sessions. "As time went on, Dr. Russell and I would take time before a session to talk and review the background of case files. With every case, Dr. Russell appreciated my input on risk factors or symptoms I observed in client interviews."

Hearing about mental illness, trauma, and the disturbing nature of some of the crimes committed wasn't easy. "While both internships were intellectually enriching, they also carried a certain heaviness," Baeza-Smith admits. After all, she was visiting inmates and observing sessions with people suffering from mental illnesses. Although she often found sympathy for the inmates she visited, she learned, too, that "you cannot allow those feelings to prevent you from seeing that there are inmates who lie or malinger about things they've experienced or the truth of their crime."

Meanwhile, working with the judge carried a different kind of emotional weight. "In the courtroom, I saw a wide range of cases. From minor disputes to serious criminal charges, there was always something new to witness," Baeza-Smith said. "In court, there is a good chance that you're going to hear testimonies from both the defendant and the victim. With that, hearings and trials can be some of the most emotionally intense moments, and this goes for both criminal cases and civil cases."

Baeza-Smith learned from Dillingham's example how to be empathetic without being overwhelmed by emotions. "Achieving this delicate balance is crucial in any profession that deals with trauma, responsibility, and justice," she said.

One of the greatest gifts of the summer for Baeza-Smith was a sense of clarity over her future profession. "I was fascinated by forensic psychology before starting my internships, but I had little experience with what it looked like in real life," she said. "Through firsthand observation and being entrusted with specific responsibilities, I was able to confirm that this field is where my passion lies."

Although taking on two internships in one summer was challenging, Baeza-Smith wouldn't change a thing. "As I reflect on my two internships, I feel filled with purpose and am incredibly thankful," she said. "These encounters forced me to step outside of my usual routine and introduced me to fresh perspectives. I gained a greater comprehension of justice, trauma, human behavior, and healing. I developed valuable skills that I know will be helpful to me now and in the future. Above all, everything became clearer about the professional I want to be."