Each day the Capitol is filled with lawmakers and staff but a select group of individuals work behind the scenes. During each session, students from a variety of universities and colleges in West Virginia get an inside look into politics and legislative procedures by working as interns at the Legislature.
The West Virginia Legislature is comprised of 100 delegates and 34 senators elected to act as a voice for their constituents. These legislators meet in formal session for 60 days consecutively during the year. During this time, the Legislature is busier than ever with a continual flow of information, increased citizen participation and daily lawmaking activity.
During regular session, an extra set of hands are needed in all arenas of the Legislature. Interns are used to address the increased volume of activity by assisting members of the Legislature and staff through daily tasks and lawmaking responsibilities.
The West Virginia Legislature Internship Program is comprised of three internship and two fellowship programs.
The Walter Rollins Scholars and Robert W. Burk Jr., Internship programs consist of graduate students that assist lawmakers serving in leadership positions of the Senate and House of Delegates. These programs allow interns to participate in the lawmaking process by researching current issues, preparing for floor deliberations and monitoring legislation from its introduction to implementation. Frasure-Singleton interns are undergraduate students assigned to work with a senator or delegate for one week during the 60-day regular session. These interns get a crash course in the legislative process by attending committee meetings and public hearings, sitting in on daily floor sessions and aiding members with daily legislative duties.
The Legislative Information Journalism Internship program provides journalism students interested in the field of government relations with professional field experience. Interns uphold a high journalistic responsibility by collaborating with multiple senators and delegates on weekly columns while corresponding with constituents and members of the media. Additionally, journalism interns actively participate in the publication of the Legislature’s weekly newsletter by writing feature articles and bill summaries, as well as, updating information on the legislative Web site.
The Lewis McManus Fellowship is a competitive internship program offered to one second year full-time graduate student pursuing the Master of Public Administration or Political Science through West Virginia University or Marshall University. The program enables interns to gain knowledge of the policy making process while grasping the understanding of what it takes to fulfill a career as a public servant.
The Judith A. Herndon Fellowship allows undergraduate students to assist a legislator from either the Senate or House of Delegates during the regular session. The program allows participants to have a hands-on experience of the legislative process while developing an understanding of legislative research, bill drafting and the functionality of committees.
Within each program offered at the Legislature, interns gain invaluable experience on the legislative process while enhancing their education and making valued contacts for future job opportunities. Often times, interns in these programs earn an advantage over competitors for choice positions.
When you look inside the walls of the State Capitol you will not only find lobbyists, lawmakers and staff, but you will also be able to see into the future of West Virginia as the young men and women of these internships aspire to be the next generation of political leaders.
To learn more about the internship opportunities that are offered, visit the Legislature’s Web site at www.wvlegislature.gov and click on the educational link.
