INTERNSHIP IN THE CAPITOL Senior Ashley Shelton gains research experience at the Heritage Foundation in D.C. S enior public administration major Ashley Shelton interned for 10 weeks with the Heritage Foundation, one of the largest political think tanks in the United States. Heritage, established in 1973 in Washington, D.C., was a research and education institution that promoted conservative public policies. The Heritage Foundation used summer internships to train young people to be future public servants by involving them in Heritage's projects, working with important research and people in the institution. Professor of Education Dr. Cheri Yecke, who taught Shelton in her administrative law and constitutional law classes, said that Shelton's selection distinguished her as "one of a very select group of young people" and that the experience would be a valuable experience in public administration. During her internship, Shelton served as a research assistant to the analyst in the department. According to Assistant Professor of Political Science Lori Klein, Shelton was chosen for the program partially because of her quantitative analysis skills. She researched income mobility, economic stimulus and food stamp participation. She used the data she gathered to run statistical analyses and to write posts for Heritage's blog. She also developed her own formula to describe the correlation between food stamp participation and unemployment. "Heritage provided lots of leadership opportunities," Shelton said. "Giving us real work in the first place was a big deal." Shelton said that Heritage provided resume help and taught interns how to negotiate, how to write a good opinion editorial and how to apply for jobs. Through Heritage, Shelton made many useful contacts such as the Network of Enlightened Women, the Federalist Society and Arkansas congressmen Tim Griffin and Rick Crawford, both of whom had Harding alumni in their offices. In addition to working for Heritage, Shelton attended speeches on various issues such as health care, welfare and education taxes. Shelton said she was able to hear from congressmen and senators such as Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul and Allen West. The differences between Heber Springs, Ark., Shelton's hometown, and Washington, D.C., caused some homesickness and culture shock, but Shelton came to enjoy the vibrant city. She enjoyed being able to hop on the Metro and to go to any museum or monument she wanted in a matter of minutes. The dorms provided by Heritage for the interns were near the Heritage building and a few blocks from the Capitol. Shelton was able to walk to the Capitol to attend hearings or other events hosted there. It was an exciting and mentally stimulating summer, as Shelton was immersed in the issues currently on the political table. She had the opportunity to professionally push for her beliefs and to interact with the brilliant minds representing those beliefs. Shelton thought the internship prepared her well for a career in public service or public policy. Savannah Lee Seniors 1117
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==