Political Science students hold internships
in the Texas House Speaker’s Office

Ryan Clay and Megan Titus, both Political Science majors, are two of only 10 students statewide to be offered positions in the Speaker’s Internship Program during the 80th Legislative Session this spring. The internship program is designed to provide outstanding Texas students with firsthand experience in the legislative process by working in the Office of the Speaker during a regular legislative session. Interns participate in policy design and implementation, and become acquainted with the political process and the significant issues facing Texas.

Clay assisted the Speaker’s Tax Counsel during the Legislative session. He worked with senior staff members, lobbyists, and state representatives in all stages of the legislative process. Among his duties, he reported on the activities of five House Committees (Ways & Means, Local Government Ways & Means, Financial Institutions, Pensions & Investments, and Energy Resources). He tracked more than 1,000 bills, researched policies and statutes in support of the Speaker's legislative agenda, and responded to constituent requests and concerns on behalf of the Speaker. Clay, from Arlington, will graduate in December 2007. He said the internship taught him a great deal about the state's systems of taxation, budgeting, and appropriation, as well as the legislative process generally.

Titus worked in the Speaker’s Office for Dr. Harrison Keller, Director of Research. She researched topics, tracked bills, wrote bill analyses, composed talking points for issues on the Speaker’s agenda, and answered constituent mail. Titus, from Friendswood, will graduate in May 2008. As a result of her internship, she is thinking about going to a public policy school for a master’s degree. She said the internship helped her to learn more about the legislative process and improve her research and analytical skills.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science can learn more about the Speaker’s Internship Program and other internship programs by contacting:

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Internship
Contact: Dr. Patricia Parent, pp07@txstate.edu, ELA 330, (512) 245-2143, ext. 3269

Internship information for undergraduates and graduates pursuing other degrees in Political Science is available from the following faculty:

Bachelor of Public Administration: Internship in Public Administration
Contact: Ms. Sherri Mora, sm43@txstate.edu, ELA 250, (512) 245-7427

Master of Arts in Political Science Internship
Contact: Dr. Cecilia Castillo, cr09@txstate.edu, ELA 329, (512) 245-3255

Master of Public Administration: Internship in Government
Contact: Dr. Patricia Shields, ps07@txstate.edu, ELA 266, (512) 245-2143

Law Office Internship—POSI 5380
for students in the MA in Legal Studies Program
and the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program
Contact: Dr. Terry Hull, th10@txstate.edu, ELA 266, (512) 245-3286