The University of Tennessee at Martin has participated in the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program since it began in 1972. The program invites 37 public and private colleges and universities in Tennessee to send selected students to assist with members of the Tennessee General Assembly during most of the spring semester to gain hands-on working experience within the state government.
This year’s UT Martin legislative interns are Alex Nelson, a senior political science major from Memphis, and Natalie Pyron, a senior history major from Collierville. Their service in the Tennessee State Capitol runs from January through the end of April.
Dr. Chris Baxter, professor of political science, is more than the university’s faculty representative in the program; he was one of the UT Martin students to take part, serving with then-Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh in spring 1993.
Baxter has been the university representative for the program since 2007, succeeding the late Dr. Ted Mosch, who served in that capacity from the program’s start to his retirement.
Each year, 70 to 80 students from across the state take part in the program to learn about leadership responsibilities and develop legislative process skills. The interns assist legislative offices with their activities and work functions.
Baxter said that Nelson and Pyron are “outstanding students – very bright and energetic.”
“We are allowed to nominate up to three students from campus to go the state interviews for the state internship program,” he said. “Those interviews happened in the fall. They both went up and did an outstanding job.”
This year, Baxter serves on the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program selection committee.
Nelson is working with state Rep. Sam McKenzie (D-Dist. 15), who represents most of Knox County. McKenzie is the House minority whip. Pyron is working with state Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Dist. 10), serving Bledsoe, Hamilton, Marion and Sequatchie counties.
Both interns will earn 12 hours of academic credit for their work in the Capitol and will receive a grade for their time in service.
However, the interns’ work doesn’t end when their time at the Capitol ends.
“Usually, I will have them do a reflective essay at the end of the semester,” Baxter said. “They are working 40-plus-hour weeks, and they are seeing the committee meetings and the floor meetings and the House and Senate live as they happen.”
Nelson sees his internship as providing him great experience in his chosen major.
“As a political science major, this internship in the state legislature will provide me with valuable insights into the complexities of state government operations,” he said in an email interview. “In preparation for my graduate studies in policy analysis, I’ve been able to analyze legislation and assess its potential impact on the lives of Tennesseans.
“One surprising thing I’ve learned about the legislature is how quickly legislation moves. Before this internship, I assumed the law-making process would be slower, but in reality, it’s much faster. Another thing I’ve discovered about the inner workings of the legislature is that every piece of legislation has a real person behind it, whether it’s a constituent or a member.”
Nelson said his experience in the process is also something he will always take with him.
“Being able to witness the legislative process in person has highlighted the importance of staying informed about what is happening at the state level,” he said. “It has shown me how decisions made in these chambers directly impact our daily lives, from education and health care to infrastructure and environmental policies.
“Understanding the process is crucial for being an active and engaged citizen, as it enables us to advocate for changes, hold representatives accountable, and ensure that our voices are heard in shaping the laws that govern us.”
A stipend of $500 per week is paid to each full-time intern, and $13.33 per hour to each part-time intern. Full-time interns are also reimbursed for travel between their home institution and Nashville.
Juniors, seniors and graduate students with majors including law, political science, history, administration, social work, economics, journalism and related fields are eligible for the program. Students must be at least 20 years old before the starting date for the program and be registered to vote in Tennessee.
The selection is based on academic qualifications, including a grade-point average of 3.0 or better, the applicant’s expected potential for professional research and a variety of other job assignments in connection with the work of the General Assembly.
The duties for each intern vary, but include bill analysis, constituent work, research and general office work.
“Just picking up and going to Nashville for a semester is harder for some than others,” Baxter said. “Science majors being away from labs and business students being away from classes – it’s tough,” Bater said. “We will give them enough hours to maintain their full-time status, but for some majors, it’s more of a sacrifice than others.
“They have the option of taking online classes if that fits into their course schedules.”
UT Martin students who are interested in taking part in the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program should contact Baxter at cbaxter@utm.edu or 731-881-7367 to get application materials.
Baxter said the screening process begins in the fall, usually around the first week of September. Sometimes, a screening committee is used to pick three candidates from UTM to take part. The state interviews are usually held in the first week of November, and final decisions are made before Thanksgiving.
For more information about the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program, visit www.capitol.tn.gov/intern.
For more information about the University of Tennessee at Martin, call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861) or visit www.utm.edu.
PHOTO: Alex Nelson, a senior political science major from Memphis, is one of two UT Martin students serving as interns in the Tennessee General Assembly this semester. He is working with state Rep. Sam McKenzie, a Democrat from District 15 in East Tennessee.
