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| Governor Tim Pawlenty with Inver Hills Student Joseph McIntyre |
Joseph McIntyre first learned about the possibility of an internship at the Minnesota legislature from Political Science instructor Doug Griffith in fall of 2005. Griffith urged McIntyre to apply for the upcoming legislative session, but with work and school, McIntyre, like many adult students couldn't make the time.
"I told Professor Griffith that I just couldn't do it," said McIntyre, who was working full time at Thomson West. "I continued taking classes, and I would run into him and he would mention the internship. In summer 2007 he reminded me again, and that fall, two years later, I told him I could make it work." With Griffith's help in the application process, McIntyre started in late January this year, assigned to Senator Ron Latz (DFL, St. Louis Park).
"The experience was phenomenal. Most of my daily responsibilities focused on constituent services-responding to letters and email, requests for information, and other inquiries. But each day was unique, especially as the events and the legislative issues changed." McIntyre worked half-days four days a week usually. In addition to the work in the office, there was a training and acclimation period and later duties in connecting with other legislators whom Senator Latz was working with on legislation. Those included higher education funding and the 35W bridge collapse victims assistance bill.
It was a challenge, giving up a regular income to participate in the internship, says McIntyre. "Although it can be a sacrifice, and it depends on your circumstances, it was well worth it. I would recommend it to any student."
Griffith was a motivator for McIntyre. "You could feel his passion, and I loved his course. He's a professional and he doesn't coddle students; he challenged me to think. You're really responsible for the material and you have to demonstrate that in essay questions."
There's also a sense of mutual respect that McIntyre says is a great reinforcement for students. "He has a genuine interest in seeing students succeed. He kept encouraging me all along, and I admire him as an instructor and person."
McIntyre has about 40 credits at Inver Hills and has a GPA over 3.00. He will transfer to the University of Minnesota this fall and wants to continue on to a bachelor's degree in political science. Career plans could include working in public or government relations, he says, with law school as an end goal.