Jonathan Garcia: INTERNview

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a senior from Highland, Utah. I have very much enjoyed my time at BYU in the American Studies major because it has afforded me flexibility and rigorous training. I like poetry, old movies, Cafe Rio pork burritos, and playing soccer.

Future career plans. Go on; dream big.
This fall I will apply for the joint JD/MBA program at BYU and a few other schools.  Combining the excellent legal training and leadership skills that this degree offers will open numerous doors to me if I want to continue in either field. I think it would be great to be a judge, author, professor, poet, business owner, translator, world-changer, etc.

Where did you intern?

I interned through the Utah State Legislature Internship. It started on the 23rd of January and ended on the 8th of March. 

Alisa Hardy: INTERNview

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a Senior at BYU, graduating in American Studies with a minor in Latin American Studies. I love my major! I have taken classes mostly in History, Political Science, and Religion. I served a mission in Chile, and love speaking Spanish. I like playing the piano, riding motorcycles, and traveling.

Future career plans. Go on; dream big.
I will be starting BYU's MPA program in the Fall. I hope to emphasize in Local Government Administration, and work with policy concerning Latinos in the United States. I want to apply what I have learned as an American Studies major by bettering the community around me.

Where did you intern? How long?
 I interned with the LDS Church Historian, Rick Turley. I am a research intern for a book he is writing about an early church leader, Theodore Turley. I comb through all journals available from the Nauvoo time period, trying to find references to Turley, and contextual information to include in the book. I started in December, and the internship will officially end in April. However, I will continue working on the project as long as I am in Utah.

Jennifer Foote: INTERNview

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm an American Studies major with a French minor. I'm from Reno, Nevada and I'm the middle of 7 kids. I love music, summer, France, Disneyland and wakeboarding.

Future career plans. Go on; dream big.
Law school baby

Where did you intern? How long?
The regional Justice Center in Las Vegas in District Court Department 12 with Judge Michelle Leavitt. 6 weeks.

featured INTERNview

Kristin Lybbert

"Here is a picture from my last day at Heritage when I
participated in a live panel discussion streamed on the to
young adults throughout the  country.  Far left was my
immediate supervisor, Douglas Ernst and in the center was
my coworker/fellow intern from the College of the
Holy Cross, Samantha Rocci."

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am from Kennewick, Washington. I am a 5th year senior in the American Studies program at BYU and I will be graduating in a month!


Future career plans. Go on; dream big.
To be honest, I don't know what I want to do. Sometimes the unlimited options are exhilarating and other times they are paralyzing. However, I know that my studies have led me to develop strong critical thinking and writing skills that can be applied to any position. Who knows where I'll end up working? Maybe for the FBI, in Hollywood, or in some foreign land!


Where did you intern?
I interned for a semester at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. through BYU's Washington Seminar program.


How did you learn about this internship?
I first learned about the Heritage Foundation through family and then learned more about their internship program through the Washington Seminar internship database.


What did you love about living in D.C.?
What's not to love about Washington D.C.? Cherry blossoms, politics, friends, food, and shopping. The Barlow Center is perfectly located at Foggy Bottom in between Georgetown and the White House - BYU sure knows how to pick property!


What were two valuable skills you learned/developed during your internship?
Technical writing - I was composing memos, responding to emails, and writing proposals. All of these tasks were relatively new to me, but because of my studies at BYU I was able to adapt and learn quickly. Working as a team - Teamwork is not like the group work you are forced to do in some college classes. It was refreshing to see that working as part of a team was actually enjoyable rather than miserable. I was used to being stuck with all the work, but at Heritage everyone was focused on getting the job done and therefore willing to contribute their best effort.


I always _floss my teeth_ before I go to bed.


Favorite diet soda.
Diet Dr. Pepper


Advice to students looking for internships.
Apply for it even if you don't think you have a chance. I've noticed that BYU students tend to underestimate their abilities, especially in relation to the powerhouse schools. I didn't think the Heritage Foundation would ever pick me, but I ended up fitting in with the rest of the interns from the big schools around the country.


Between _cake_ & _ice cream_ I would definitely choose _ice cream_.


American Studies _is the perfect major for me_.

featured INTERNview

Chris Krewson

Tell us a little about yourself.
I have a family of three with a just-turned 1 year old. We love to play games, throw a football around and do vacations.


Where did you intern?
I interned at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington D.C. I worked in the information sources office and got to learn a tone about case law and how judges do their job. I also got to apply my statistics background by doing Web analytics and presenting written reports to my director. I found out about this opportunity through the Washington Seminar program.


What three things did you enjoy most about your internship?
The work environment - working with professionals who know how to be successful. Being an intern - people don't know necessarily what to expect of you so you get to create a good first impression and just go to work! Living in D.C. - what a place!


What did you love about in D.C.?
I loved being able to take trips to the Smithsonian museums, Supreme Court, and Congress.


What important skills did you develop while you were interning?
Confidence - I learned I can be a success. My mentors were very encouraging and willing to give me work and feedback because I was willing to do my best. Networking - I learned to branch outside of my little work area and speak with all kinds of people by setting up interviews and doing random visits. I have made lifelong friends and connections this way.


Next place you would like to travel.
Samoa because I haven't been back since my mission. That was kind of obvious.... but it is true!


I can't travel without _Sudoku_.


In 2015 you will be...
probably out of Provo. But maybe not, who knows?


Advice to students seeking internships.
Don't be scared to work and talk with everyone you meet. The people you intern for aren't expecting a wizard. They just want someone who fits in and is willing to do their part. Doing your part will lead to more opportunities to do what you really want.


Between _batman_ & _superman_ I would choose _batman_.


American Studies _rocks_.