Asking the Governor for career advice!

Sophomore political science and communication major Kourtney Thompson spent the summer as a public policy intern for the Arkansas Governor’s Office

I never dreamed my summer internship would be so much more than the typical 9-5 desk job. This summer I was able to learn and understand the inner workings of our state government. Not only observing but taking an active role. Every day was a new adventure learning more about the Arkansas State Government.

One morning we drove all the way out to Magnolia, Arkansas to visit the Game and Fish Commission Camp Robinson Firing Range. We spent the day learning about how they protect our wildlife with wildfires, drones and dogs. They taught us the importance of purchasing hunting & fishing licenses and how they help them to protect our beautiful state for generations to come. In the afternoon, they took us fishing and skeet shooting for us to try our hand and the commission’s main source of income.

A few days later, we all met at the United States Federal CourtHouse. My fellow interns and I sat in on the sentencing hearing. We listened to the arguments of the Public Defender and the Assistant United States Attorney for hours, anxiously waiting for the final sentencing of the defendant. After the hearing, United States District Judge Lee Rudofsky walked us through his appointment process and answered any questions we had about his current job, his career path, and advice for the rest of our time in school. Then we ventured down the street to the Arkansas Supreme Court. We got a private tour and learned the ins and outs of the court from Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood.

Trying on the Department of Military’s flying gear!

We toured the Department of Military and learned about all the different ways they can be called in to help Arkansas. We got to sit in their helicopters and try on their flying uniforms. They showed us the newest version of night vision goggles and their snipping simulator used for training. We learned about the benefits of working for the military and how you can serve while working another job.

Later in the Summer, we went to the Ouachita Correctional Facility in Malvern, Arkansas. We toured all of their facilities from the hospital to the new Omega Supervision Sanction Center. We saw our justice system come full circle and learned that it truly does take a village to run a correctional facility. We also learned of ways the state is trying to better prepare these men for reentering society after their time at the facility.

During our final days as interns, we were welcomed into the Arkansas Governor’s mansion by Governor Asa Hutchinson and First Lady Susan Hutchinson – and their dog Bandit! We enjoyed lemonade and hors d’oeuvres. We got to hear from the Governor about what he has done for Arkansas and how he decided he wanted to be Governor of Arkansas. I asked him for career advice, he told us he had been a United States Attorney, Congressman and (obviously) Governor of Arkansas. I asked him what career advice he had for the aspiring United States Attorneys, Congressmen and Governors in the room. He told us to make connections with people – the people we go to school with and the people we work with. He explained there is a beauty in connecting with people and you never know when someone will be your boss or appointing you into your dream job.

During the work week I worked for the Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services as their Communication and Personnel Management intern. I brainstormed new marketing techniques for the state, and even got to take over the Instagram story to show a day in the life of an intern! I conducted interviews with interns and other state employees. I sat in on budget and salary meetings and was often asked for my input. I made incredible connections with the professionals I worked with.

Additionally, I made some truly incredible friendships and connections with the other interns. These connections are accredited to many aspects of the internship, from struggling through our first 9-5 job together to some friendly competition. At the beginning of the internship we were sorted into 4 teams – Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green. Throughout the Summer we would have mini competitions in between speakers and events. These games not only served as ice breakers between the interns but incredible sources of bonding. I soon discovered that my fellow teammates and I shared a competitive bone in our bodies, and the Red Team ended the internship as the winners of the team competition.

This summer, I was able to learn from every leader in our state, including the Governor and his appointed secretaries, tour State and Federal facilities and participate in department projects. I saw the connectedness between each department of the state  and that they are all vital for a functioning Arkansas. I learned that a job for the government is so much more than red tape and bureaucracy. Every job has a direct impact on the lives of Arkansasans, every position presents an opportunity for meaningful change.