Real-world experience is one of the hallmarks of learning. Recognizing this, the West Virginia Legislature created the Legislative Internship Program to give college and university students a chance to experience the inner workings of the State’s lawmaking process. The West Virginia Legislative Internship Program offers 70 internship positions in four separate programs. These programs allow interested students to gain valuable information about legislative functions and agency roles in state government.
The Rollins/Burk internships, named after the late Delegates Walter Rollins and Robert Burk, Jr., are available to students seeking a graduate degree in any major at an accredited in-state college or university. Rollins Scholars help individual Delegates or Senators prepare for floor sessions by researching issues and laws. Burk interns assist standing committee chairs and members of leadership by preparing bill abstracts and monitoring the legislative committee process. The Rollins/Burk programs offer a total of six internship positions.
Herndon Fellows, named after the late Senator Judith Herndon, gain direct experience of the legislative process by pairing with a Delegate or Senator. While attending the 60-day session, students work with their assigned legislator to draft legislation, research current law and understand the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. The Fellowship offers 10 positions to undergraduates of all majors who have completed at least 60 undergraduate hours.
For aspiring journalists the Legislative Public Information internship offers a variety of opportunities to work for members of both the House and the Senate. Interns work daily to update the Legislature’s web page with information about actions on both the House and Senate floors, write articles and summaries for the weekly publication Wrap-Up, and get a taste of the public relations aspect of public service by answering constituent requests and developing cutlines for in
house photographs. The internship offers four positions for graduates or undergraduates majoring in accredited journalism programs at the state universities.
Interns in the Frasure-Singleton program, named after the late West Virginia University Dean Emeritus Carl Frasure and the late Delegate Julius Singleton, spend a week at the Capitol and assist an individual Delegate or Senator. During that week interns shadow their assigned legislator and observe various aspects of the lawmaking process. Interns attend floor sessions, committee meetings and other legislative functions. The program offers 50 internships for sophomores and juniors of all majors who have completed at least one course of study in government.
All internships require that applicants be enrolled at a West Virginia college or university and that they be in good academic standing with that institution. While living in or commuting to Charleston, participants receive full-time credit hours, as well as a tuition waiver for their institution and a monthly stipend for housing.
Through the Legislative Internship Program, students gain a better understanding of West Virginia’s legislative process. It is the Legislature’s hope that these students will use that knowledge to promote to the public a better understanding of State government, the Legislature and the lawmaking process. For more information about the program, contact the Legislature toll-free at 1-877-56-LEGIS, or visit the Legislature’s Web site at www.legis.state.wv.us.
