Each fall, students at universities from across the state of Tennessee apply to be a part of the Legislative internship program. This year UTM was awarded five of the roughly 90 coveted internship spots available.
Bailey Hudlow, Cassie Rogers, Sara Christopher, Caleb Poole and Cole Grosvenor are the students representing UTM in Nashville this semester.
These students are considered to have maintained high academic standards and are heavily involved around the UTM campus. They completed an application process that started in Martin, and then were recommended by a committee to represent UTM in the final interviews in Nashville.
They serve in public officials’ offices and with a designated committee of the Tennessee Legislature.
During the interview process, each applicant submitted a biography that allowed the internship staff to help place students in a position that best suits them.
Hudlow, a junior Political Science major, was placed with Speaker of the House Beth Harwell.
“I love meeting everyone – representatives, senators, the Japanese and Canadian consulates from the local embassies, Morgan Spurlock from CNN (and creator of the ‘Supersize Me’ a food documentary about McDonald’s) and several others,” Hudlow said. “I love how upbeat the office is, and I love how busy it is. I love specifically being in Speaker Harwell’s office, because she is such an amazing person and a huge inspiration to me as a powerful female in politics.”
These students started with the Tennessee General Assembly on January 13th and will live and serve in Nashville until the end of the Legislative session in May. The internship for UTM students is paid and will allow them to earn 12 credit hours toward their education.
The esteemed program is run by Donna Morgan. The program allows students to receive valuable hands-on learning experience and the ability to make relationships to help them in their future endeavors. Grosvenor said his favorite part of the internship thus far was being able to “interact with current legislators and being a part of making bills pass.”
On a daily basis, Rogers keeps busy with legislative work. She is interning for Senator Mike Bell and the Government Operations Committee.
“I file bills, do any necessary research, talk to constituents, help set up for committee, schedule and sit in on private meetings between the Senator and his constituents, committee members, lobbyists or various other guests. I also do any other miscellaneous paperwork or office work needed of me,” Rogers said.
“I think it’s great getting to be involved with the legislation from the drafting level to filing bills to hearing and amending them in committee before they go on the floor. It’s great to see ideas develop and change as more and more people become involved with the process.”
The students hear testimonies from former legislative interns on what they are now doing to give them examples of how their experience can allow them to pursue career ambitions in the future. While many of the UTM interns want to attend law school, Grosvenor said he would like to pursue a career in the lobbying profession.
Grosvenor credits Garrett Cote, a senior Political Science major and a legislative intern during the 107th General Assembly, for recommending the internship to him.
“My favorite part would have to be getting to see government in action; it’s really an amazing thing. Getting to meet all kinds of people from all across the state isn’t bad either,” Poole said.
“The single thing that I would have to say so far was the best was getting to sit in on the Governor’s State of the State address.”
Even though the students are enjoying the busy city of Nashville, Grosvenor said he missed the friends and atmosphere that Martin offers. The interns also said that they miss having their adviser around for advice.
“Once again, UTM was able to send some exceptional students to serve as legislative interns, and once again, our students were blessed with some fantastic office assignments. All four of our students are working with widely-respected Capitol Hill veterans who will have a lot to teach our students. Every year my hope is that our interns get good assignments that put them right in the middle of the action, and I was not disappointed,” UTM adviser Chris Baxter said.
The internship has also given a new perspective on government and how things are run.
“This experience has completely changed the way I look at the legislative process. I have learned so much, and absolutely love working at the Capitol with people who have the ability to effect change in our state,” Christopher said.
Rogers, will return to UTM in the fall to continue her degree.
“It’s an exciting opportunity that I would recommend for anyone who wants to get a hands-on experience with government and the legislative process,” Rogers said.
