The State Legislative Internship Joan Christensen and Sandra Davis 1

The State Legislative Internship How to Select a State Legislator: It Can Be Your Choice! Picking a Legislator: -District -Committee -Partisanship Initial Contact -Cover Letter The Interview 2

The State Legislative Internship The Three Faces of a State Internship 1. Capitol Experience 2. The District Office Experience 3. The Campaign Trail Experience 3

The State Legislative Internship The Three Faces of a State Internship: Capitol Experience What State House Interns Do: -Greet visitors -Respond to constituents -Organize office -Track legislation -Policy research The Nuts and Bolts of the Legislative Office: - Learning Your Role and Responsibilities - Special Projects Research Question? How do I find testimony on a particular bill? 4

The State Legislative Internship The Three Faces of a State Internship: The District Office Experience What District Office Interns Do: - Constituent service - Write letters - Attend meetings Representing The Legislators (Ambassador for the Legislator) - Gathering Information - Reporting Back 5

The State Legislative Internship The Three Faces of a State Internship: Campaign Experience What Campaign Interns Do: - Campaign Management - Field Operations: Canvassing - Phone Banks - LTEs, Op-Eds -Research - GOTVs 6

The State Legislative Internship Getting Started on the Job 1. Keeping Track of Time 2. Dependability: Attendance and Punctuality 3. Learning to Take and Keep Notes 7

The State Legislative Internship A Little Grunt Work Can’t Hurt You (or Will It?) Grunt Work: -newspaper clippings -filing -answering phones Rule of Thumb: Interns should do as much as a paid staffer 8

The State Legislative Internship Professional Ethics and Confidentiality - Obligation not to discuss constituent issues - Loyalty to the legislator - Negativity has a way of getting back to your “boss.” Being and Feeling a Part of the Team Having Fun 9

The State Legislative Internship Saying Goodbye 1. Leave on Good Terms 2. Ask for a Letter of Reference 3. Remember to Say Thank You 10