From my experience serving as one of the inaugural Legislative Aides, I learned how to work with legislators to seek funding for community projects. As a result, I was able to obtain several million dollars in state funding from the New Mexico legislature to support a statewide parenting education program for teen parents, single parents, foster parents, grandparents raising grandchildren and incarcerated parents.

The experience was significant, formative and instrumental to my professional development.

It was a wonderful experience that marked the beginning of my interest in politics and civic responsibility. In that time, I also realized the full range of career possibilities that are available to a FACS graduate. I count the Legislative Aide program as an important rung in the ladder I’ve climbed in the decades since I was in Washington D.C.

Serving as a FACS Congressional Aide was a life-changing experience. My FACS internship gave me the chance to live my dream of working on Capitol Hill. I got to experience the positive impact elected officials can make in the lives of constituents. I saw the value of choosing the right staff for the right roles. I learned the importance of networking and gaining the trust of colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Most importantly for me, it helped me realize that where I could best use my skills and talents was not on the federal level but the local and state levels. My time as a Congressional Aide changed my career focus and opened up new doors for me to explore. I am grateful to FACS for such a wonderful opportunity to learn more about myself and for the courage to let go of one dream to pursue another!

My internship in Washington introduced me to the legislative process and the daily activities of representatives – meetings with constituents, committee sessions and interactions with stakeholders with a wide variety of interests. I assisted with fielding inquiries from constituents, and because I was working on my doctorate in child and family development, I did some background research for my representative on federal funding for childcare. That experience and D.C. socialization really set me up for my career in state government, conducting program evaluations and research in juvenile justice and social service programs and advocating for evidence-based practices and related legislation in state agencies, the courts, legislatures and governors’ offices in Florida and California. It made a real difference in the direction of my career.

Getting out of the classroom and seeing how public policy is formed was a great learning experience. My advice to students: pursue and get those internships! You start building a circle of contacts and you’ll take those with you the rest of your life.

I loved my time as a Legislative Aide. It helped open my eyes to how our government is run on a daily basis. Senator Broun was a wonderful influence and always wanted to know my opinion of the issues.

I absolutely loved my time as an aide in 2001 working for the Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus. Instead of having one boss, I had over 40. I adored the team I worked with and made lifelong friends; the relationships I made 22 years ago have helped me in my career since. It was such a rewarding experience.

The Legislative Aide program provided a unique experience with a front row seat to the Georgia General Assembly. The professional experience gained from this program was invaluable and has paved the way for opportunities in my career. I am forever grateful for having been a part of this incredible program and for having had the opportunity to work alongside Representative Louise McBee.

The FACS Legislative Aide program gave me a good understanding on how our state legislative process works, including the process for a bill becoming a law and the amount of time this could take. It allows me to talk with clients who are anxious about current legislation.

I’m forever grateful I did the program because it’s led me to the path I’m on today. It was really a fun time in my life that required me to step out of my comfort zone.

I am responsible for managing and recruiting volunteers who want to connect people to their natural and cultural resources and inspire them to become stewards for our parks and the environment. Thanks to the Legislative Aide program, I discovered how the pieces of the legislative puzzle fit together and the importance of representing your constituents’ needs and goals. This knowledge helps when writing grants as well as advocating for our natural and cultural resources in my county.

The Legislative Aide program was an essential chapter in my life after college. The connections I forged within the program were a compass in my professional development in the real estate and banking industries, specifically. Witnessing diverse perspectives and building relationships across our great state was a voyage of enrichment and enduring value.

I owe so much to the FACS Legislative Aide program for getting me to where I am today and will always be grateful for the doors it helped open. As an undergrad, it helped me identify a career path and led me to a job I’m passionate about. It brings me so much joy to know the program is still going strong and hope it continues for decades to come. Participation in the program helped establish my career trajectory, and I’m forever grateful to Dr. Sweaney for encouraging me to apply. I've been working at the state Capitol and in government relations ever since and employed as a lobbyist.

The Legislative Aide program taught me how to professionally network and built my confidence in public speaking. The program also directly led to my first job out of college as a legal assistant at Senator Bill Cowsert’s law office in Athens. Everything I was exposed to during that semester at the Capitol helped shape me into the person I am today! The program is invaluable and gives real world experience to someone still in college.

Being a Legislative Aide was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. I was a non-traditional Legislative Aide, since my college major was dietetics. I learned big-picture lessons like how laws are crafted and how much work is involved in policy making. I also learned internal lessons about how to be a hard worker in a fast-paced and high-stakes environment. I would recommend any student take advantage of the opportunities provided by the program.

The Legislative Aide program opened my eyes to the importance of state policy and encouraged me to pursue a law degree.