Internship Location: Madison WI
Organization Type: State Government
Policy Areas: I was able to touch on many areas through my work with constituent service and taking lobby group meetings (GOAT and Ways and Means Committees, Healthcare, Environment and Conservation, Transportation, Education, Social Justice, etc.)
I learned so much working in the State Legislature this semester! As a Psychology Major, I went in knowing very little about how our state government works and about policy writing, but the staff in my office were extremely supportive as I adjusted to the learning curve. The majority of my experience was in written constituent communication, however I had the opportunity to create research reports, write an op-ed, attend different hearings, assist with lobby group meetings, attend internship workshops, etc. Honing these concrete skills was incredibly valuable, however, being in an office (Rep. Bare, D-Verona) that prioritized my learning and explaining what goes into the projects the office works on is what I’ll remember most. It was truly eye-opening. I would definitely recommend this internship to future students, even if you’re unsure if working in the legislature interests you. It teaches you a lot about different levels of public policy and helps you think about future career through interactions with legislators, legislative staff, state agencies, and more.