Congressional Internship Program – Eli Hicks
Every year, a select group of University of Tennessee, Knoxville students work on Capitol Hill through the Baker School’s Congressional Internship Program. This opportunity places students in the offices of Members of Congress, federal agencies, or government-related organizations, where they gain hands-on experience in public service, policy, and legislative work.
Each student brought their curiosity, professionalism, and Volunteer spirit to Washington, D.C. We caught up with them to ask what they learned, what surprised them, and how the experience is shaping their future plans.
Name: Eli Hicks
Graduation Year and Major: Junior, Public Affairs
Hometown: Oak Ridge, TN
Why did you apply for the Congressional Intern Program? What interested you most about this opportunity?
I have always been interested in politics and policy, and this internship gave me the opportunity to see how policy moves at the highest level. CIP is also a great opportunity to experience living in D.C. for a summer without having to fully commit to moving. It’s a great experience to help you get a feel for the city and what living and working up here would truly feel like.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me includes tasks such as compiling all the TV clips and articles that mentioned or quoted the Congressman, answering phone calls from constituents, and leading Capitol tours. I also have a long-term legislative project that I have been working on with one of our staff members, so I have been doing lots of outreach to other offices to try and get cosponsors for our legislation.
What’s one moment, project, or interaction during your internship that has made a strong impact on you so far?
I have gotten to do a lot of work on one specific piece of legislation during my time here, which has made me feel like I’m actually making an impact at something. I have been able to collect multiple cosponsors for this legislation through my outreach efforts to other offices.
How has this experience influenced your goals for the future or changed how you view public service?
I think my goals have pretty much stayed the same. I plan on attending law school after I finish undergrad and then practicing law in some sort of public service capacity.
What skills or lessons are you learning that you’ll take with you after this internship?
The main lesson I learned from this is that I need my career to be something where I feel like I am working toward a greater mission. Working on the Hill gives you the opportunity to see how people are impacted by everything our government does, and I want to be able to work in a capacity where I can help people.
Is there a specific issue or policy area you’re especially passionate about? If so, tell us why.
I would say that I’m probably most passionate about education policy, but this summer I got to learn a lot about transportation policy by doing projects in that area, which was super interesting since I knew very little about that area beforehand.
What has surprised you most about working in D.C. or in a congressional office?
Everyone is super helpful. I was so nervous for my first week, but all the staff were amazing at helping me get integrated. Also, during the first week or two, all the other interns are still finding their place, so it is easy to make friends during this time.
What would you say to another UT student considering applying for this program in the future?
Be true to yourself and your values. If your values don’t align with the person/organization you are working for, you’re probably not going to enjoy your experience.