By: Huntre Keip ’20, assistant editor
At Lebanon Valley College, professors urge students to take on internships during their college careers.
This semester, ten students have internships in Harrisburg. Each internship role varies based on student interest. The internships include the Mavericks, Long Nyquist, Greenlee Partners, the Commonwealth Foundation, PA House Legislative Fellowship, Governor Tom Wolf’s office, the head office of the Republican Party of PA, George Scott for Congress campaign and the Harrisburg World Affairs Council.
Internships enable students to learn daily tasks that a full-time job may entail and what life after graduation may look like.
“My internship consists of legislative research, policy analysis and aiding in the government affairs section of our office,” Logan Stover, a senior politics major, said. “I thoroughly enjoy the political realm and the gamesmanship that goes on within Harrisburg.”
Stover is interning at the Commonwealth Foundation, a free-market think tank. He enjoys his position but realizes he would prefer working in the public sector or lobbying firm.
“I believe an internship enables students to create connections in their desired field, and it also teaches students what they like and dislike about their desired career path,” Stover said.
Students who are considering an internship may be worried about balancing academics and a social life. Shilesky Montalvo, a senior English major and fellow for the PA House of Legislation, understands those concerns, but she believes an internship experience is beneficial in the long run.
“I am very involved on campus, and I feel that helps me stay focus on what I have to do,” Montavlo said. “I use a planner and white boards, so I know what to do on a day-to-day basis as well as what my schedule looks like for the week.”
Internships, particularly at the state’s capital, involve operations like think tanks and lobbying firms, but political offices hold a significant place in Harrisburg.
“I have a better understanding of the type of work a political party does and the amount of information they manage,” Joshua Snader, a junior politics major and intern for the Republican Party of PA, said. “I help with committee outreach, collect and manage data and assist in general requests by candidates and voters.”
Election day is quickly approaching, so every governmental office is busy and full of excitement for learning college students.