Elderly Mother from Beverly Holds the Title of Oldest Intern at Massachusetts State House
In the bustling halls of the Massachusetts State House, a unique figure stands out - Lorinda Visnick, a 60-year-old intern who is making her mark. With a diverse background that includes being a mother, a coach, a hall of fame basketball player at Boston University, and a school committee member, Lorinda brings a wealth of life experience to her role.
Lorinda's current internship is in the realm of politics, where she is working on a bill proposing a statewide cellphone ban in schools. She is part of a dedicated intern group that researches bills and takes notes at hearings. The office leadership has given Lorinda a special title - fellowship - due to her age and extensive experience. In fact, Lorinda is the oldest intern at the state house, working with five other interns for state Sen. Jason Lewis.
While it might be relatively uncommon for individuals over 60 to participate in internships, Lorinda's story is a testament to the changing landscape. In fields like geriatrics, mental health, and social work, older adults are increasingly finding opportunities to engage. In major cities like Boston, specialized internship roles are being created to serve older adults, often involving interdisciplinary teamwork and evidence-based treatments.
The trend towards inclusive and lifelong learning may gradually increase the prevalence of older interns over time. For Lorinda, being an intern at the state house this year, while the cellphone ban bill is being proposed, feels fortuitous. Her background in computer science and her run for school committee in Beverly undoubtedly contribute to her unique perspective and valuable insights.
As Lorinda continues her internship, she is not just a testament to the changing face of internships but also a beacon of inspiration for those considering a career change or lifelong learning, no matter their age.
[1] National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2020). Internship & Co-op Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org/data-research/class-of-2020/internship-and-co-op-statistics/
[2] National Survey of Student Engagement. (2018). Undergraduate Enrollment and Experiences: Freshmen and Sophomores. Retrieved from https://nsse.indiana.edu/html/NSSE2018_Freshmen_Sophomores.pdf
[3] Council on Aging of Somerville. (n.d.). Geriatric Internship Program. Retrieved from https://www.somerville eldercare.org/services/geriatric-internship-program/
[4] Boston University School of Social Work. (n.d.). Field Education. Retrieved from https://www.bu.edu/ssw/field-education/
- Lorinda's role as an intern in the state house highlights the expanding opportunities for education and self-development in later life, such as the geriatric internship program at the Council on Aging of Somerville.
- The dedication of older adults like Lorinda to lifelong learning, as demonstrated by her current internship in politics, correlates with rising trends in continuing education and personal growth, as evidenced by the extensive data from National Association of Colleges and Employers and the National Survey of Student Engagement.
- As a seasoned professional with a background in computer science and experience on a school committee, Lorinda's internship not only showcases her commitment to learning but also exemplifies the potential benefits of interdisciplinary teamwork and evidence-based treatments, a growing emphasis in fields like social work, as laid out by Boston University School of Social Work.
