One senator, two BYU interns, one incredible experience.

On what some might call a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, two BYU students are interning this semester (Winter 2006) in Washington, D.C., in the office of U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Although the office generally receives as many as 50 applications for the intern positions, Michael Lunberg, 23, from Logan and Ray Griffith, 23, from Cedar City, beat the odds and were selected as victorious candidates.

With majors in political science and history, Griffith and Lundberg, respectively, have both demonstrated interest in the political arena.

"I am a total politics junkie," said Griffith in a news release. "I wish I could get CSPAN injected straight into my veins. Sometimes my wife tells me I drive her bonkers talking about politics."

While in Washington, the interns are involved in a variety of assignments. In addition to attending press conferences, hearings, vote mark-ups and giving capitol tours, each intern is assigned to aid an area of Hatch's staff.

Griffith, for example, has been assigned to aid the staff over energy, agriculture, environment and defense, while Lundberg works with Hatch's judiciary staff. Lundberg arrived in Washington just in time for the confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

"On one of my first days, I attended the hearings and sat with the other staffers behind the Senators," Lundberg said. "I was surprised at how close I was to the action. It has been so amazing to view history in the making."

While Griffith and Lundberg are the only interns from BYU, there are six Utah college students currently interning in Hatch's office. The application process is a competitive one where schools recommend applicants based on factors such as GPA and extra-curricular activities. Then Hatch makes the final cut.

Although students can apply on their own, BYU's Washington Seminar has been a key factor in students landing the prestigious Hatch internship.

Students first apply to the Washington Seminar program and are then placed in various internships. With its prominent reputation in Washington, BYU's seminar program boasts a 100 percent placement rate, said J. Scott Dunaway, the seminar's director.

"The program has a strong reputation in Washington, and we have students there all the time," Dunaway said.

Patrick Nelson, a senior studying economics, interned in Hatch's office last fall through the Washington Seminar. He said he enjoyed having a closer look at political procedures and actually living in Washington for a whole semester.

"The biggest thing I learned was about American politics and American government," Nelson said. "It was interesting being involved in the whole process and learning how Congress works."

The Washington Seminar's information site describes the program as "a valuable supplement to your education and the chance to be better prepared for your career."

Both BYU interns have plans to continue their education in law or graduate school.

"I'm trying to nail down exactly what I want to do in politics and the internship is helping me do exactly that," Griffith said.

Lundberg said he has plans to return to the east coast for law school after he graduates in 2007 and is interested in clerking for a judge or being a judge himself.

"I've always wanted the opportunity to live in D.C.," Lundberg said in a news release on why he was originally interested in the internship. "I also thought it would be a good learning experience and help prepare me for my future endeavors."



Copyright Brigham Young University 2 Mar 2006