Caleb Morse, left, and Stephanie Rivera, right.
At the University of West Georgia, experiential learning plays a significant role in helping prepare students for their future careers. Four UWG students seeking experience in the inner workings of government had front-row seats to the process this semester, with three Wolves participating in the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP) and another serving in the Office of the Chancellor for the University System of Georgia (USG).
University College students William Gilbert, Caleb Morse, Stephanie Rivera and Leetavious Maines are paving the way to success through internships at the state level as they pursue degrees in political science, civic engagement and public service.
Participants in the GLIP program earn credit hours toward their degrees while gaining real-world experience and establishing connections with working professionals.
Throughout the course of the program, the selected students work full-time in professional offices at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The internship lasts for the duration of the 40-day legislative session, which recently ended.
As legislative interns, Gilbert, Morse and Rivera performed similar duties, such as guiding people to the appropriate dignitaries, delivering bills to designated offices and assisting with various administrative tasks.
Gilbert, assigned to the Appropriations Committee, had the unique opportunity to sit in on discussions about bills, gaining insight into the political process.
“It helped me learn about the actual legislative process and politics as a whole,” said Gilbert. “I really put everything I learned in class into practice.”
Rivera’s primary focus is on reading and responding to constituent emails, organizing materials for committee meetings and running messages between senators. These responsibilities have helped her develop strong organizational and time management skills that she has applied to her own life.
“I have a list that I have to do every single day, or I’ll fall behind,” said Rivera. “I’ve definitely learned how to be on top of things.”
Morse has taken advantage of networking opportunities and meeting influential figures, which has helped him gain confidence, perceptiveness and effective communication skills. From work-related to casual conversations, he’s made a series of meaningful connections that could potentially aid him in his future career.
“I’ve really learned how to connect with people and make a good first impression,” said Morse. “I’ve gotten to meet the Secretary of State and the secretary of the Senate. Most of the people here love talking about what they do, their experiences and you.”
Through their work, all three students are learning to apply their classroom knowledge in real world settings while building skills that will serve them in their future careers.
For Maines, his internship role at the USG chancellor’s office has helped him learn about the political aspects of organizations, while honing crucial communication skills. Through his learning experiences in government and education, he discovered there are opportunities for success in both career fields, opening further possibilities for himself to make a profound impact.
“This opportunity represents a chance to gain invaluable insight into higher education administration while positioning myself to make a meaningful impact,” said Maines. “It’s more than just an internship; it’s an opportunity to grow, learn and develop as a leader.”
Maines credits strategic communication, strong leadership and research skills as key factors in his development. He has mastered navigating complex organizational structures and inspiring others toward a common goal—a process that mirrors the work of elected officials.
“Always go into the day with a positive mindset,” said Rivera. “If you start the day off with the idea that something’s going to be hard or bad, everything will overwhelm you.”
With a new profound confidence, a deeper knowledge of the legislative process, organization skills and a growth-mindset, these students encourage others to pursue their dreams and embrace change.
“While it may seem like certain things are unachievable, there’s always a way,” said Gilbert. “I put my best foot forward, stepped out of my comfort zone and here I am.”
