This semester has afforded me with great opportunities as one of the first ETSU participants in an internship program through The Washington Center in Washington D.C.
This is not only the first year that ETSU has participated in their program but also the first year that the state of Tennessee has been numbered among the many other states and nations around the globe that annually send students to Washington D.C. for TWC’s internship program.
Since transferring to ETSU in 2006, after receiving my associates’ degree from Walter State Community College, I have been working on a BA in English with a minor in International Studies in preparation of law school.
Consequently, I was very fortunate to secure a placement on Capitol Hill as a legislative intern working for Sen. Mary Landrieu from Louisiana.
I considered this a wonderful placement for me as I am originally a native of Louisiana and have many family members still there who were surviving victims of both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
In addition to this, I also learned the nuts and bolts of law making. My duties included doing research for potential bill sponsorship and corresponding with constituents about the Senator’s position on votes either for or against a specific bill or issue.
Being on the hill also afforded me opportunities to attend Congressional Hearings of interest to me for independent research. Two of the most memorable hearings that I attended were those by the Committee on Foreign Affairs pertaining to the situations of genocide in Darfur and the persecutions of the citizens of Tibet. I was also privileged to meet actress Angelina Jolie at a forum on the “Children of Conflict” pertaining to the children of the Iraq war. I attended the forum representing Senator Landrieu’s office in research for an amendment she was preparing in aid to the five million Iraqi orphans by allowing them to become U.S. immigrants.
TWC hosted interesting events every Monday afternoon with a variety of nationally recognized figures including civil rights’ leaders, Congresswomen, corporate philanthropists, international organization heads, the president of NPR, and many others, which lectured and allowed us to ask questions.
On the weekends, my son and daughter who accompanied me in my internship in D.C. took advantage of all the wonderful museums and national sites available to visit for free.
We also participated as volunteers in a fundraiser event for Special Olympics where we met Mayor Adrian Fenty of Washington D.C.
At a Tennessee Tuesday breakfast on the hill we talked with Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander from Tennessee.
I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in The Washington Center internship program and would highly recommend it to anyone interested.
In all honesty, it was rigorous and challenging but a wonderful opportunity for hands on experience in your field of interest and networking with our nation’s leaders.
I will be functioning as the alumni representative of The Washington Center for ETSU students. Please feel free to contact with any further questions you may have about the program at zbrw33@goldmail.etsu.edu. In closing, I would encourage all interested students to apply regardless of your age, race, handicap or major. TWC will find a fit for you!

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