Finding Purpose in a Politics Based Internship

Thanh Nguyen 

Sociology major 

I am interning as the Communications and Advocacy Intern for AARP Minnesota. Since June, I have worked to support AARP’s advocacy efforts to push legislation supporting the 50+ community in Minnesota, from issues like scams to caregiving to healthcare.  This involves collecting and organizing data and research, communicating AARP's  priorities to federal and state legislators, assisting at events that connect volunteers with AARP's efforts, and more. 

This internship has opened my eyes to how public policy is discussed, planned, and advocated by stakeholders that want to see change happen through outreach and lobbying with not just legislators, but also by those who are affected by issues. I also learned valuable skills through research, leadership, teamwork, diligence, communication, and taking steps beyond what I am normally comfortable with to help others in and outside the office, like the Capitol. The goal in my career has always been to aid and give a voice for others.Working as the Comms and Advocacy Intern for AARP has shown me the numerous paths I can take to do that.

Audrey Pearson 

Political Science major

As an intern for a state senator in the Minnesota Senate, I draft responses to constituent messages, sit in on my Senator’s committees and meetings, write for the office’s weekly newsletter, and track the progress of bills authored by my Senator through both houses.

It’s been so rewarding and eye opening to intern in the Senate! Reading about legislative progress and how political battles shape law in textbooks doesn’t tell the whole story. Without in-person experience, I’d be missing the part of education that only comes with living it! Being here for me has made me reconsider what I want out of a career. The life of a senator during session is extremely busy, high stress, and potentially  high-conflict. I’ve come to appreciate the importance for me of a career that both allows me to positively impact my community and allows me a healthy work/life balance. 

Mumtaaz Hirsi

Psychology major

As a Women’s Rights Intern at The Advocates for Human Rights, I research gender-based violence across different countries and examine how governments respond, both where they’ve made progress and where systems fall short. I’ve worked on issues like early and forced marriage, FGM, human trafficking, and access to justice, which has given me a deeper understanding of how policy and advocacy impact people’s lives globally.

This experience has been incredibly meaningful to me. It’s made public service feel very real and personal, especially given my background and the ways I’ve seen how instability and inequality affect communities. It’s definitely shaped the kind of work I want to do in the future, something that allows me to advocate for others while creating tangible change.

Internships are a valuable experience to explore careers and gain experience and connections. The Department of Political Science's Internship Program is the largest in the College of Liberal Arts. Photo by Johanna Heidorn Krey.

Megan McKenney

Political Science major

This semester I am interning at the Minnesota Senate under Senator Wiklund. Senator Wiklund serves as chair of the Health and Human Services committee, which has allowed me to learn about the Health and Human Services policies in Minnesota. 

I find this experience really valuable for two reasons. First, I have really enjoyed learning about what senators do behind the scenes; there are so many interesting aspects to lawmaking, and the office environment is very welcoming for us Interns. Second, it has been very informative to learn about legislation in the Health and Human Services area, which is a topic that I don't get a chance to learn about in school, but is very important to the welfare of Minnesotans and the overall public policy in the state.