During January Term (J-term) 2017, several Randolph-Macon College students got a close-up look at Virginia’s political scene when they served as interns at the General Assembly. RMC’s popular J-term provides students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, embark on an internship, conduct groundbreaking research or explore other areas of study on campus. This year, 1316 students participated in J-term, including internships, study-abroad, and on-campus courses.

Photos: General Assembly

In the General Assembly Building in Richmond, Virginia, six students—Daniel Whitehead ’17, Brandon Settle ’17, Baxter Carter ’18, Andrew Miller ’17, Tristan Ramsey ’19, and Jordan Pavie ’19—got a behind-the-scenes view of how the General Assembly operates.

Buzzing with Activity
RMC Political Science Professor Richard Meagher, who coordinates local interns for the Department of Political Science, says the General Assembly is a great place for students to get a sense of politics in real time.

“During the short legislative session, the building is like a beehive, just buzzing with energy and activity,” says Meagher. “When I stopped by Delegate Chris Peace’s office for a visit, Jordan and Tristan were just coming back from a committee hearing and getting ready to respond to constituent e-mails. Brandon was tracking bills for his Delegate, and Daniel was meeting with visitors to register their concerns for Senator Chase. They’re not just studying politics; they’re practicing it.”

Daniel Whitehead ’17
Whitehead, a political science major and religious studies and economics minor, interned under the guidance of Julianne Condrey, legislative assistant to Senator Amanda Chase. During his fast-paced internship, he filmed committee meetings in which Chase presented bills that she sponsors. The filming, he explains, was done in part as a result of a newly created Transparency Caucus.

“The Transparency Caucus was established to provide clear information to the public on bills sponsored or brought forth by Senator Chase,” says Whitehead, whose videos were posted on Chase’s YouTube channel. Whitehead also represented Chase at events hosted on and off the General Assembly’s grounds.
Whitehead, secretary of RMC’s Political Science Student Association, says, “My internship provided me with a behind-the-scenes look into state and local politics and provided the work experience I need to be successful in my future career.” In addition to gearing up for spring semester, he is busy studying for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

“I plan on earning a law degree and a master’s degree in political science through the Dual Master’s Program at the University of Louisville and/or George Mason University,” he says. “Ultimately, I want to play a role in the political process of this country. Running for office is a strong possibility for me.”

Brandon Settle ’17
Settle, a political science major and education minor, interned for Delegate Nick Freitas. He responded to constituents’ emails and phone calls, met with lobbyists and attended committee meetings. He also sat in on a caucus.

“My internship not only helped prepare me for the ‘real world,’ but it also gave me the opportunity to network with a lot of people,” he says. “It was a great way to get my foot in the door and make connections with a variety of professionals.”

A member of the Virginia Education Association, he is also a member of RMC’s Young Republicans Club. Settle is planning for a career as a secondary school social studies teacher.
“My internship has helped me build a Plan B—perhaps a future career in politics—while also gaining experience to become a better teacher,” he says.

Baxter Carter ’18
At Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam’s office in Richmond, VA, Carter interned for Chief of Staff Clark Mercer. Carter, a political science and philosophy major and classics minor, was tasked with a variety of duties. Whether it was writing memos and briefs for the Lt. Governor, or attending press conferences, there was never a dull moment for Carter.

“I did legislative tracking and put into an excel sheet all legislation that was pertinent to the Lt. Governor,” he explains. “Hands-on experience is one of the best ways to learn about something.”

This was Carter’s third internship. In 2016 he served as an intern in the Constituent Services of the Governor and at the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia.

“My internships gave me insight into the world of work,” says Carter, the executive vice president of RMC’s Student Government Association. “In addition, internships are a great résumé booster, and the networking I did will help me in my future endeavors.”

Carter’s post-RMC plans may include law school, but “as my internships would suggest, I am interested in lots of different opportunities in politics. I am not sure exactly what my ideal profession would be. I look forward to finding out.”

RMC Internships
J-term internships offer a real-world setting for connecting academic learning with the workplace. RMC’s Edge Career Center and dedicated faculty assist students in finding the perfect internship opportunity.

The Edge, an intensive four-year program that prepares students for life after college, gives students a competitive advantage in the job market or graduate-school admissions process. Workshops, internships, one-on one advising, a career and networking Boot Camp, and a host of other resources ensure that students who graduate from RMC are lifelong learners who can think critically and adapt to new situations.

RMC’s Bassett Internship program offers academic credit and connects students with tailor-made internships to explore a wide range of career fields in various locations. Students can also choose from a variety of paid or volunteer internship opportunities.