Madeline Rainwater -- 2012 Intern Back at LI
Enjoy getting to know Madeline Rainwater, LI’s new Junior Systems Technician. This is an informal interview series with employees of the Leadership Institute to let you get to know us beyond our trainings. The questions ask them to describe what makes them tick and their experience with LI at various levels.
1. What made you want to work at the Leadership Institute?
It’s actually more a question of what’s kept me from working at the Leadership Institute. After I interned at LI in 2012, I knew I wanted to come back in some capacity, but I just didn’t have the right skillset at the time, and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do long term. I’ve spent the last few years in a variety of different workplaces, and have since discovered that I love technology and I still love LI. I’m very happy to be back!
2. What unique skills and background do you bring to your new position and how do you hope to use them?
I have a background in communications and customer service, both very applicable for a junior technician. It’s easy to get lost in technological terms and concepts, and I hope to be a guide and resource to everyone at LI.
3. How does the DC area differ from your hometown?
I used to live in Chico, California, which is in a lot of ways the polar opposite of DC. It’s mostly agricultural land and more of a Mediterranean climate.
4. Who has had the most impact on your political philosophy?
Frederic Bastiat. The Law was nothing short of a total shift for me and how I thought of government policy, and also was my first real introduction to libertarian-inclined philosophy.
5. If you could visit any destination in the world, where would it be and why?
New Zealand – the scenery alone would make the trip worth it for me!
6. What is your favorite family tradition?
Every year after Thanksgiving, my parents buy a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, and asks that everyone help to complete it before New Year’s day. It’s a great way for people to engage in an activity together without making things overly structured, and it’s so satisfying to play a part in something with the whole family.
7. What are your thoughts about pineapple on pizza?
A quality Hawaiian pizza can be hard to find, but if you pretend that the sweet-tart pineapple and salty Canadian bacon doesn’t work well together, you’re just wrong.