Did you know, there’s a law in Missouri that makes it illegal to drive with an uncaged bear in your car? And another in Florida that forbids single women from parachuting? And an Arizona law makes it illegal to feed garbage to pigs?
If you’ve ever wondered how state laws are made, and how they can get so wildly specific, a paid internship with the Utah State Legislature is calling your name.
Every spring, students from the University of Utah are immersed in the thrilling and impactful world of a legislative internship. This unique internship program, operated by the Hinckley Institute, pairs students with a lawmaker, advocacy group or lobbying firm that suits their academic and career interests. From there, they work for the duration of Utah’s 45-day law-making session as full-time employees. This special group of students gets a front-row seat to witness how laws are made and the government operates. Oftentimes, they are invited to play a key part in crafting future policies and translating the concerns and priorities of the public.
Recent graduate Thaiss del Rio remembers her time as a legislative intern as one of exciting responsibility, “I researched and created talking points and fact sheets that explained bills, attended committee meetings, responded to constituents, and ensured that everything ran smoothly so that the Senator I interned for was always ready to go.” Looking back, she noted the important takeaways the experience provided, “I learned the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and accuracy. I gained valuable research, communication and leadership skills that will assist me as I continue with my academic journey and beyond. Most importantly, I learned the power that exists in our voices when we as a community speak up about issues that we care about and impact us.”
The Legislative Intern Program is an incredibly rewarding experience for students from a variety of majors and backgrounds. While many political science and pre-law students apply for this internship, students from across campus understand how familiarity with government will benefit them as they pursue their careers and become active citizens. Nisha Patel, a recent graduate who majored in biology, participated in a legislative internship because she was interested in the laws concerning health and science. Not only did she gain a more thorough understanding of them, but she also made key connections with legislators who, when not serving the state, also work in the health sciences fields.
Each year, students come away from this experience impressed by the amount of agency they were given and proud of the personal growth they made. The 2025 Legislative Session is set to be a year like no other and will surely be an incredible time to be an intern.