BLOOMINGTON, Ill.— With the 2008 presidential election only a few months away, the world of politics is earning an even brighter spotlight than usual. This summer, some Illinois Wesleyan University students are a close look at that spotlight through political internships.
An internship for Illinois State Sen. Bill Brady [R-44th District] is offering IWU senior Dan George insights. George, a music major from Schaumburg, Ill., said he is learning that government has less to do with political wrangling, and more to do with understanding the needs of people. “As an intern for Senator Brady, I am usually the first contact for his constituents,” said George. “If a resident of the district calls the office to comment on the quality of the roads, I will see that the message gets to the Senator. If someone stops into the office to advocate for the elderly, I will talk with the person to make sure his or her needs are met.”
Brady, who is a 1983 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, said he has found interns vital for research as well as providing another means of support for constituents. “Our interns assist constituents on a day-to-day basis with issues and solving their needs,” said Brady, who has utilized the research of interns on projects such as enhancing retired teacher pensions and promoting higher education projects.
This summer, Illinois Wesleyan junior Monica Shah is seeing not only how political offices run, but campaigns as well. Shah began the summer as an intern for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s [D-Illinois] Chicago office, working with day-to-day operations. Now she is an intern with his presidential campaign. “The word ‘excitement’ does not quite cover it,” said Shah, who is from Downers Grove, Ill. “It’s amazing to speak with so many people who call in to voice their opinion on different decisions or acts, and to know that people are not apathetic, and really are concerned with issues.”
An internship in politics is the first step toward a career in government after graduation, as Illinois Wesleyan alumnus Clint W. Sabin can attest.