Tom Hammond, Class of 2024, spent the summer interning with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. We caught up with him to learn more about his experience and advice for current students and alumni who are interested in public service. Tom is currently a sophomore at the University of Southern California (USC).
What inspired you to apply for an internship at the Office of the Mayor of San Francisco?
After the 2024 elections I knew I wanted to do something and get involved in government. With Mayor Lurie’s new administration coming into city hall in San Francisco, I figured that going local would be a good way to have a real impact.
Were there any projects you worked on that you're especially proud of? Is there a standout moment or memory from your internship that really stuck with you?
I worked on one project analyzing how the mayor spends his time across the city. It was a long process involving heavy amounts of data entry and analysis but at the end I got to present my report directly to the mayor. The opportunity to talk through my thoughts one on one with him, and answer his questions was an incredible one and has stuck with me since.
What skills did you find most valuable during your time there?
Versatility and openness to new opportunities. Because of those skills throughout the summer I got to work alongside a plethora of different departments on a range of different projects, instead of spending all of my time in one.
What advice would you give to students interested in interning with the Mayor’s Office or in public service more generally? How can current students connect with opportunities like the one you had?
In an election year (like 2026!) work on a campaign. Every campaign in America runs on volunteers, that is the single best opportunity to get your foot in the door. If your politician wins you'll already know some people in the office who can let you know when they have opportunities available. Outside of an election year, just reach out! Look at every level of government that represents you, from the local level to the federal, and see if your representative has an internship program. If they do and you like them, send an application. If not, find a staffers email and send them a message letting them know you're interested. You won't necessarily get accepted by each one but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
