Thomas Wennerstrom, a junior majoring in political science, is getting a first hand look at the political process as he ends his first month in the Tennessee State Senate. Wennerstrom is a legislative intern for State Senator Bo Watson, UTC ‘83 (R-Hixson) and a participant in the University’s Legislative Intern Program.“Although I had state and local government classes, it is quite different looking at the political process from the inside of government,” said Wennerstrom. “The duties associated with the internship vary widely from the simplest task to actually working on legislation. It has been a great experience so far.”
Wennerstrom is one of two legislative interns from UTC. Zeth Campe, philosophy major with a minor in political science, is working with Representative Craig Fitzhugh.
The General Assembly has a total of 95 interns from 16 universities across the state. The intern program provides students with opportunities to work with individual legislators, committees, and legislative leaders. It also provides weekly information meetings where interns hear from state decision-makers, as well as opportunities to see other workings of state government, like a visit to the Riverbend maximum-security prison and the Tennessee Supreme Court.
“The internship program is a great opportunity for a student interested in public service. There is no greater teacher than experience and no better classroom on the development of public policy than the legislature,” said Watson. “Thomas is not only getting valuable personal experience, he is serving the people of the 11th senatorial district in Hamilton County.”
If students are interested in interning for the 2009 session, they must be Juniors, seniors, or graduate students studying political science, history, administration, social work, economics, sociology, journalism, or related fields are eligible to apply for an internship for the 2009 session.
For more information, contact Donna Morgan at (615) 741-3299 or donna.morgan@legislature.state.tn.us. To speak with the UTC representative for the program, contact Dr. Christopher Horne at (423) 425-1709 or at Christopher-horne@utc.edu.
