• Skip to main content

The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Baker School logo
  • Future Students
  • Student Experience
    • TN Legislative Internship Program
    • Knoxville Fellows Program
    • Japan Ambassadors Program
    • Living Learning Community
    • Baker Scholars
    • Washington Fellows
    • Public Policy Analytics Minor
  • MPPA
    • General Information
    • Student Resources
    • Application
    • Governance
  • Research Centers
    • CETEP
    • NSFA
  • News and Events
  • Institute of American Civics
  • Engage
  • Overview
    • Overview
    • Faculty and Staff
    • History
    • Board
    • Modern Political Archives
The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs logo
Future Students Student Experience MPPA Research Centers News & Events Institute of American Civics Engage Overview

Aug 31 2023

TN Legislative Internship Program Applications Now Open

Baker School logo
  • Podcast: You Might Be Right
  • Tuesdays in the Toyota
  • Upcoming Events
  • News
  • Baker Briefing Newsletter
  • Event Archive
  • News Archive

TN Legislative Internship Program Applications Now Open

For more than 50 years, the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program (TLIP) has provided students from across the state with the opportunity to experience Tennessee politics firsthand and contribute to the democratic process by serving as interns in the Tennessee General Assembly. At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TLIP is jointly administered by the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy & Public Affairs and the Department of Political Science. 

“If you really want to understand how something works, there is no better way than to participate,” said Jon Ring, director of undergraduate studies at the Baker School. “TLIP challenges students to grow in ways that are difficult to capture in a classroom, building the momentum they need to succeed in their next stages.” 

Through TLIP, students will be assigned to legislative offices for the session of the TN General Assembly for the period of January 8 until April 26, 2024. Interns will work side by side with legislators and their staff on a full Monday – Friday schedule. Duties vary from office to office but could include bill analysis, constituent work, research, and general office work.  

“My biggest takeaway from the internship was learning the contrast between expectation versus reality,” states Anna Ree Darby, a senior who interned for Senator Richard Briggs in the 2023 session. “My preconceived notions about the law, how it is created, and how it is executed changed quickly once I got to the Capital.” 

Outside their internship duties, they will be expected to attend weekly intern meetings; some will include guest speakers, while others will be site visits and networking events. Students can register for 12-15 hours of academic credit during their semester internship. The Baker School and the Department of Political Science collaborate to offer students courses that provide support and context for their internship experience.  

“TLIP provides an excellent opportunity to explore career opportunities in government,” states Patricia Freeland, professor and associate head of the Political Science Department. Former interns report that the experience and contacts gained from TLP helped them find employment after graduation.” 

TLIP is open to students enrolled as a junior, senior, graduate, or law students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applications are open now until September 22nd. For more information on the TLIP program, eligibility, and to apply, visit the Baker School’s TLIP page. 

Written by Patricia Contic · Categorized: News

Engagement

Visiting the Baker School

Facilities & Reservations

Modern Political Archives

Baker Briefing Newsletter

News and Events

Podcast

About Us

Future Students

Student Experience

MPPA

Faculty and Staff

Mission and Vision

University of Tennessee logo

1640 Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3340
Phone: 865-974-0931
Email: bakerschool@utk.edu

Engagement

Visiting the Baker School

Facilities & Reservations

Modern Political Archives

Baker Briefing Newsletter

News and Events

Podcast

About Us

Future Students

Student Experience

MPPA

Faculty and Staff

Mission and Vision

Find an Expert

University of Tennessee logo

“I increasingly believe that the essence of leadership...is to be an eloquent listener.”
—Howard H. Baker Jr.





Copyright © 2023 · Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy