The Washington State Legislature 2024 session provided hands-on experiences to six Saint Martin’s University student interns, the largest group from any college in the state. The University’s Internship Hub in the Center for Career and Calling collaborates with the Legislature’s Internship Program, offering students the opportunity to earn academic credit while helping to solve real-world problems by assisting the state House of Representatives and Senate.
Center for Career and Calling Director Ann Adams says these state government internships offer students multiple benefits. “This is a full-time paid internship where students are directly involved in the legislative process during the session,” she explains. “It is an amazing networking opportunity for students to meet legislators and other interns and to learn about different work experiences.”
Saint Martin’s University’s Six Interns in 2024 Cohort ‘See How Things Work’ in State House of Representatives and State Senate
The Legislature established its internship program in 1955. Saint Martin’s University students have participated for more than two decades. House of Representatives Civic Education Director Leo O’Leary says each session the House typically hires 22 college interns, while the Senate employs 44. Saint Martin’s University’s six interns in the 2024 cohort worked in both legislative chambers.
O’Leary states that one goal of the program is to encourage interns to consider government careers. Students serve in non-partisan positions. “It lets interns take a step back and see how things work,” he explains.
“Our internships are really interesting,” adds O’Leary. Internships are open to four-year college juniors and seniors in all majors. Interns are placed in the offices of legislators or caucus staff based on the student’s skills and interests. Interns conduct research and summarize issues; attend hearings and meetings; correspond with constituents, lobbyists and state agencies; track legislation; draft letters, resolutions, talking points, press releases and newsletters; assist with office tasks; and participate in intern classes, workshops and policy exercises.
Interns learn together as a cohort and receive professional development instruction, including pointers on writing effective resumes. “There’s academic and professional development in this program,” says Avril Regis, a 2024 intern and Saint Martin’s University senior.
Saint Martin’s University Interns Say Their Government Internships Deliver Academic and Professional Development
Regis plans to attend law school after she graduates. She was assigned to three House representatives’ offices. “I had a multitude of experiences,” she says, including responding to correspondence, participating in meetings, handling calls and writing talking points for a proposed immigration bill. She also job-shadowed State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu. “I really want to encourage other students to apply,” adds Regis. “It’s a truly unique opportunity — once in a lifetime. As an intern, I could immerse myself and put into practice what I was learning in the classroom.”
Saint Martin’s University senior Celine Paez likewise strongly encourages students to apply. Paez is majoring in communications and political science. She details that, among many other duties in her internship, she assisted a state senator’s communication staff member with her social media and year-end report. She observed legislative work up close by watching the action from the wings of the Senate floor. “The internship was definitely beneficial,” says Paez. “I was able to meet other brilliant students with different educational backgrounds and upbringings. I got to see our legislators in action, voting and debating on the Senate floor.”
“Outside the educational experience aspect, it was heartwarming to witness empathy and authenticity from legislators towards bills that greatly impact their constituents and their personal stories,” Paez adds.
Saint Martin’s University’s Career Readiness Opportunities Make Connections Between Students and Future Employers
Saint Martin’s University internships prepare students for post-college life. “Employers look for this experience in applications, and while students develop many career readiness skills in the classroom, having an internship exposes the students to various work environments, supervisors, co-workers and training,” Adams says. She says the University helps students seek and obtain high-impact internships like those at the Legislature. The University’s Internship Hub’s full-time staff are dedicated to forging connections between students and employers.
“Every student has an opportunity to gain work experience during their academic career at Saint Martin’s,” Adams explains. “Even if it is not part of their academic program, we encourage and support all of our students to experience not only an internship but job shadows, information interviews, and career conversations with the employers and alumni. We are very fortunate that our legislature has developed a structured learning experience that is personalized for the intern. Their program serves as a model for any employer seeking to start an internship program in their organization.”
To learn more about these college internships, visit the Saint Martin’s University Center for Career and Calling and the Washington State Legislative Internship Program web pages. The 2025 legislative session applications open on September 1, 2024.
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Center for Career and Calling, Old Main 257
Internship Hub, Harned Hall 113
5000 Abbey Way SE, Lacey
360.688.2835
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