In political science classes, students learn how a bill becomes a law. Interning with Sen. Jay Rockefeller has made this process a reality for nine West Virginia University students this summer.

These highly competitive positions allow WVU students to experience a variety of legislative procedures. Interns attend committee hearings, write hearing reports and help legislative directors research topics that directly affect legislation in West Virginia. Additionally, each intern spends one week working in the commerce office.

Internships with Rockefeller are divided into two summer sessions. WVU students Tabitha Porterfield, Katie Wilson and Katherine Nyden interned at the Washington, D.C., office during the first session, while Taylor Richmond interned at the Beckley office. Interns currently serving in the DC office are Erica Rogers, Ian McCulloch, and Zach Watt; Jessica Bailey and Marc Basham are working at the Charleston office.

This experience has given me a better understanding of how the senator effectively represents his constituents. There are a lot of things to research and balance before you even get to the negotiating table, and its amazing to see so many people working hard behind the scenes to make sure the people of West Virginia are heard and treated fairly,said Rogers, of Weirton, who received a degree in political science in May and will return to Morgantown in August to begin her masters degree in public administration.

What struck me the most while working here was the important issues facing the state of West Virginia. These issues impact my friends and family, so it was not hard to become passionate about the work that we do,said Bailey, a senior political science major from Ripley.

The political science program at WVU is extremely rigorous and helps prepare students for internships of this caliber. Students said this hands-on experience has been the perfect bridge between class work and the real world.

Thanks to the political science department at WVU , which gave me a tremendous background in writing and research, I was able to dive straight into the sometimes complex research put in front of me by the senators staff,said Basham, a junior political science and journalism major from Beckley.

Students interested in applying for fall or spring internships with Rockefeller are asked to fax a completed application (found at http://rockefeller.senate.gov/students/internships.cfm ) along with a cover letter, resume, short writing sample and two letters of recommendation to 202-224-7665.

I would highly recommend this internship to anyone who has an interest in the issues facing West Virginia and the U.S. today. You dont have to be a political science major to appreciate all that goes on behind the scenes at a senators office to help the citizens of West Virginia,said Bailey.