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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1997)
University revamps government internship program ■ POLITICS: Students have the opportunity to learn about Oregon legislature By Laurie Phillips Freelance Reporter Students ready for a challenge can learn about politics and earn credit for their work while partici pating in the newly redesigned Legislative Internship Program. The practice of placing Univer sity students in governmental in ternship positions is not a new one. During the 1980s, the Universi ty put 60 interns to work in Salem, comprising the strongest program in the state among partic ipating schools. About 25 law stu dents and 12 other undergradu ates are currently working as student interns. Leslie Gray, a senior political science major, interns two days a week through the Planning, Pub lic Policy and Management De partment. She serves on the Ore gon Student Association, which educates lawmakers about stu dent issues and earns four credits for her work. Gray recommends the program for students who are not easily in timidated and are "able to stand [their] ground.” “[Ultimately] it’s an incredible opportunity to learn about the laws that affect your lives, and have the power to change those laws,” Gray said. Carl Hosticka, associate vice president for Educational Ser vices and Academic Affairs, said problems with the University pro gram arose due to its very struc ture. The majority of student in terns come from the School of Law, Political Science and PPPM Departments, all of which have different requirements. The School of Law also func tions differently from the rest of the University both in its semes ter system and its method of cal culating credits. Although the University pro gram was strong as a whole, Ho sticka said, connecting the three groups “was not made a top prior ity.” To solve this problem, Leg islative Relations created a Pro gram Coordinator position and hired Judy Shioshi to fill it. Shioshi considers the program both an opportunity to gain “life experience in the workplace” and to “begin networking early.” She should know: In 1989, Shioshi served with the legislature as a re searcher for the senate. Now it is her duty to recruit, train and su pervise all University interns, pe riodically checking with them on an individual basis and facilitat ing group meetings at least twice a term. Students are now being recruit ed for spring term, which Shioshi believes is the legislature’s "most fast and furious period.” Training offered during this time will be more intense, thus allowing stu dents to begin working at the same level of fall interns. The leg islature reconvened two weeks ago and will be examining a vari ety of issues for possible student involvement. After interns are requested by legislators, they are placed where any openings exist. Opportunities include work on committees and in the governor’s office. Kirk Baily, director of Legisla tive Relations, feels the program is about “making connections” on a variety of levels. Structurally, uni fying the three participating pro grams makes logistics easier for administrative purposes. Socially, students enjoy camaraderie by getting to know each other and learning from shared experiences, he said. “[In the past] I’d go visit the in terns in Salem, and people who went to the same school didn’t know each other.” She hopes that by encompass ing a broader focus the program will be even more successful than it was in the past. Interns must commit to work at least one day a week and arrange for their own transportation to Salem. fit [Ultimately] it’s an incredible opportunity to learn about the laws that affect your lives, and have the power to change those laws. — Leslie Gray Senior, Political Science -33 All students are welcome to ap ply, said Baily, given they demon strate “a pretty high interest in the legislative process and state gov ernment.” In addition, they should “have a desire to get in volved” and be prepared to work in a “high-energy environment.” Interested students should con tact Judy Shioshi for an informal interview. She can be reached at 346-2169 and shioshij@oregon. Applications can be picked up in her office in 10B Johnson Hall. Find out about employment opportunities and possibly set up an interview. All students and disciplines welcome. Bring copies of your resume. 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