An Interview with Tiffany Jones, Intern with the Office of External Relations

Describe your background

I was born in Queens, New York and I’m the first generation born in America being that both of my parents are from Guyana, which is in South America. I am the oldest of four siblings.

What is your academic/professional history?

I successfully earned my B.S. in communications technology and a minor in marketing in June, 2018 at York College, The City University of New York (CUNY). While completing my major I had the opportunity to work on my craft by creating content and marketing for twelve top market companies in New York such as Emmis Communications and iHeartRadio. I also was able to become president of the National Society of Leadership and Success that had over 750 students, and I received the Anthony Mason Scholarship. Like me, the former NBA player Anthony Mason is a Queens native.

How would you describe your job to other people?

I am an External Relations intern for the Law Library of Congress and work under the supervision of Donna Sokol, Chief, Office of External Relations. My duties on the Law Library’s External Relations team are to generate new content for the award-winning blog, In Custodia Legis, our popular social media accounts, and to produce micro-videos related to the Law Library’s services, collections, and expertise.

Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?

I wanted to work at the Law Library of Congress to experience federal work outside of my regular field of expertise. Having the opportunity to be a part of the library not only meant working at the world’s largest library, but it also meant that I would have the opportunity to enhance my knowledge of materials and resources obtained by The Library of Congress. Most importantly, I hope to devote my skills and knowledge to growing the contributions of the library to the public.

What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the Library of Congress?

The most interesting fact that I have learned so far is that there is so much more than just learning about the law or specific changing exhibits: you can learn about your heritage. While having the opportunity to go on tours with different librarians, I learned that there is a section of the library called the Hispanic Reading Room where I can explore my heritage.

I am truly fascinated to learn more about Guyana and other countries in South America, and to have the opportunity to work and visit the Hispanic room and its accessible materials is truly exciting.

What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?

My number one goal in life is to not only to travel the world, but to start a scholarship in my name for students who grew up in the same neighborhood as me, and then expand it to the rest of the world by giving other students the opportunity to go to school and follow their dreams, regardless of their circumstances.