We regularly feature the interns whose hard work positively impacts the Library. Today’s interview is with a 2022 participant in the Fall cohort of the Library of Congress Internships (LOCI) program, Alicia Moran.
Describe your background.
I am a first-generation Mexican-American, born and raised in New York City. I am studying information technology with a focus on security and information assurance at Pace University. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in information technology in December 2022. My career aspirations are to work in cybersecurity or digital forensics. In my spare time, I enjoy going to concerts, traveling, and playing with my cats and dog.
What is your academic/professional history?
I started my academic journey at Bergen Community College, where I gained a passion for leadership and volunteering. Through my involvement in clubs, I was able to work on many projects ranging from creating an academic program for undecided students to monitoring brain waves in reaction to ASMR and music. In 2019, I won the Gilman International Scholarship, where I was able to study at the International College of Seville in Spain.
In 2020, I transferred to Pace University, where I fell in love with digital forensics. I led data recovery projects and network security projects. For my final semester, I studied at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. I explored my interest in psychology and studied group counseling methods and advertising psychology.
How would you describe your job to other people?
I am a program analyst intern at the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) in the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) division. During my internship, I supported the BCDR team operations to ensure that the Library’s information systems are available in the event of an IT service disruption.
I also coordinated official approvals for IT System Contingency Plans from senior managers and directors across the Library. This helped ensure the Library had plans in place to recover critical business processes during major IT service disruptions.
Lastly, I coordinated with system engineers and application administrators to conduct root cause analysis for system disruptions to ensure we address root issues and promote a more stable IT environment.
Why did you want to work at the Library of Congress?
I decided to work at the Library of Congress because I wanted to contribute to the Library’s mission to promote education and creativity on a national level. I also loved how the Library’s resources are open and available to the public to continue their journey for knowledge. This internship has been life-changing for me, and I want to be able to have another opportunity to work for an organization that is beneficial to the public.
What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the Library of Congress?
The most interesting fact I learned is that the Thomas Jefferson Building is decorated with quotes from history’s greatest writers including Milton, Bacon, and Tennyson. My favorite quote is “Ignorance is the curse of God, knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven” by William Shakespeare.
What is something most of your co-workers do not know about you?
My coworkers don’t know that my favorite hobby is international travel. I have been to five continents and visited 17 countries. This summer, I traveled through South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. My favorite memory was visiting an animal sanctuary in Phuket and feeding the elephants fruit.