So far, you’ve met interns from GIS and the Planning department. Let’s go behind the scenes and learn about someone from the team who ensures Charlotte Water operates within legal frameworks and navigates complex regulatory requirements. Today, I talked with Beatriz Romero Santiago, a law student from Houston, Texas, who’s gaining hands-on legal experience through her internship with Charlotte Water.

Q1: What school do you go to and what do you study?

Beatriz is pursuing her Juris Doctor at Regent University after earning her Economics and International Affairs undergraduate degree from Gordon College in Massachusetts. “I’ve been really lucky to have amazing professors at all of my schools,” she shared. Her academic background makes her a great candidate for interning at Charlotte Water due to her strong foundation in policy and law.

Q2: What kind of projects have you worked on during your internship?

During her internship, Beatriz has contributed to writing memos for various cases, assisted with legal research, and even participated in department meetings to help troubleshoot real-world issues. Her team also reviews contracts before they’re signed to ensure they’re up to par. “We get called in when there’s a problem,” she explained. From there, she will help by researching and working with her team to determine the best way forward.  

Q3: What’s something you didn’t expect to learn?

One thing that stood out to Beatriz during her time at Charlotte Water was the sheer scale and complexity of the utility. “I didn’t know how big a water department could be or how it works as a business, and especially how they’re still expanding while helping out smaller cities around us,” she says. She found it particularly interesting to learn how public utilities operate compared to private sector businesses.

Q4: How do you see this internship helping you in your future career?

Beatriz says the hands-on nature of the internship has been a valuable contrast to the theory-heavy approach of law school. “In school, we don’t really see how cases get filed or how lawyers interact with clients and other attorneys,” she noted. “This gave me a glimpse into how everything works.” The experience has helped solidify her goal of becoming a lawyer, though she’s still exploring whether that path will lead her to immigration law or estate planning.

From reviewing contracts to exploring behind-the-scenes legal processes, Beatriz’s summer at Charlotte Water has been both eye-opening and inspiring. Her experience shows how internships can bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, which benefits both the intern and the organization. With her thoughtful approach and strong academic background, there’s no doubt she’ll make a meaningful impact, wherever her law degree takes her!