A group of over 20 students served as interns for the Utah Legislature this legislative session. Many admit the experience provided a opportunity to view local government up close.

"The internship has allowed me to spend time with my legislators," said Erin Grygla, 24, from Albaquerque, N. M. majoring in international studies. "It has allowed me to understand their bills, their beliefs and their reasoning."

Experiences like communicating with legislators and going to meetings not allowed for the public gave ways for interns to get a look at the inner workings of Utah government.

"I've got a really open legislator," said Seth Hansen, 24, from Boise, Idaho majoring in American studies. "He tells me everything, he talks open with me, and he takes me into the meetings. I just get a real broad perspective of what goes on there and how the process works."

The students go through a rigorous application process that involves resumes, recommendations and interviews, said Bob Goss, a political science and public policy professor who coordinates with the interns.

Goss also teaches the class required for interns before they start the session. The course is a three credit hour class crammed into two weeks.

Interns learn how state legislatures work and learn research skills that will help them research legislators' bills.

Most state legislatures provide a full-time personal staff for their legislators, but Utah is a minority because the interns are the only personal staff legislators have, Goss said.

"It's a great opportunity for undergrads to get work experience others only get working full-time," Goss said.

Interns are paid a stipend for their work and are assigned to work with one or two legislators.

BYU students admit they do the internship for a number of reasons. For some it helps prepare for law school or to serve politically in the future.

"Now that I have done an internship I think my chances of running for office are a lot greater than before," said Jacob Eaton, 26, from Heber, Utah majoring in political science.

Sara Bytheway, 21, from Glenwood, Utah majoring in history, admits one of the reasons she chose to do the internship was because of her families past involvement in politics.

Hansen admits he does not want to go into politics, but he still has something to gain from the experience.

"I just feel a sense of responsibility in the future and I felt like if I got to know how the whole system worked, than I could be more informed and I could be a better citizen the rest of my life," Hansen said.

The experience has always been positive for BYU students and they have a lot to learn from the process, Goss said.

"I would say its pretty tough to find something non-beneficial when you learn a lot," said Jacob Ellis, 23, from Vancouver Island, British Columbia majoring in political science. "Whether they're good or bad experiences, you still learn a lot."
Copyright Brigham Young University 11 Mar 2003