"With the assistance of the Walker Institute, I was able to apply for multiple internships that have benefitted me professionally but have also provided great personal connections. I first was a Management Intern for Syracuse City, where I worked on city council memos, helped the Mayor with research, and was even put in charge of writing a five-year plan for the City Museum. The personal connections I made and the skills I learned during my time working for Syracuse City helped me to eventually be selected as an intern in Congressman Rob Bishop’s Washington D.C. office, which provided me many opportunities for professional growth. One of which was being tasked to compose a briefing for the office’s chief of staff before a business trip abroad. My time in Washington D.C. has proven invaluable to me professionally, as well as personally. The Walker Institute was instrumental in my professional progress as a student and has now helped me take my next step post-graduation as a graduate student, having been accepted into the Middlebury Institute of International Studies starting Fall of 2021. The Walker Institute truly jump started my life as a young professional through the opportunities it presented to me. I recommend for any student interested in public service or politics to get involved with the Walker Institute. "
"My name is Abdiel Vazquez, and I am currently a Master's in Public Administration student at Penn State University and a Staff Assistant for Senator Mike Lee in Washington DC. The first internship I held was through the Salt Lake Chamber as the Policy Intern. While working with the policy team, I learned how lobbying efforts can be made by a group of companies advocating for specific legislation and extensively researching policy. My second internship was an internship with Congressman Rob Bishop. While in his district office, the main focus was to do constituent work and outreach; you quickly learn about complex issues of the federal government. My final internship was as an intern at theUtah State Legislature.. I interned with Senator Gregg Buxton.. This internship is by far my favorite internship. As a legislative intern, you receive hands-on experience while making many connections and friendships. After graduating, I became a campaign manager for Representative Mathew Gwynn, and worked for the GOP of Utah as the Director of Volunteer Services."
"I interned in Washington D.C. for Senator Lee and at the State Capitol for House Majority Whip Representative Gibson. Regardless of your career goals or major, every Weber State student should consider an internship with the Walker Institute because of the valuable professional experience you gain. My internships gave me the opportunity to meet and work with business, education, state, and national leaders. I can attribute my professional success to my internships because they opened the door to my first professional career after graduation which has lead to every other position I've had. I had the opportunity to do public policy for the Salt Lake Chamber and then work on the Utah House Majority staff doing policy and communications. I am now able to serve the community that I live in and love as the Development Director for Ogden-Weber Technical College."
"I was 22 when I started taking classes at Weber State and had no plan for what I wanted to do in the future. That question was far too overwhelming for someone who could barely figure out where to park and find their classes. I did not know at the time that the relationships I would build through the Walker Institute would provide opportunities that would help me grow personally and professionally. By the time I graduated, I had interned in the Utah State Legislature and the United States Senate. These internships helped prepare me for my job as an election specialist in the Lt. Governor’s office. The Walker Institute provided me with multiple internship opportunities through which I acquired knowledge, valuable experiences, and connections which put me in a strong position when I applied for my current job."