LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University junior Jessica Beard has been selected to be an intern in Frankfort, working at least 30 hours a week for a member of the Kentucky General Assembly through the 2010 Frankfort Semester Legislative Internship Program.
Beard, a political science major from Albany, Ky., will be responding to constituent inquiries, assisting in the crafting and passage of legislation and performing other duties integral to the legislative process. In addition, she will take two upper division seminar courses focusing on state government, legislative history and research.
The internship program is an initiative of the Association of Independent Kentucky College and Universities (AIKCU), a group made up of the 20 nonprofit, independent colleges and universities in Kentucky. This is the 10th year of the program, whose aim is to enhance students’ academic, civic and professional skills through the internship experience.
“After graduation from law school, I plan to become actively involved in Kentucky government, and this experience with the AIKCU program will provide me with both the knowledge and connections that are essential aspects of being a successful member of government,” said Beard.
In even-numbered years, interns work directly for members of the general assembly, while in odd years they serve in a variety of state government agencies. Juniors, seniors and graduate students in good standing and attending one of AIKCU’s member institutions are eligible to apply for the internship. The program begins in January and runs through mid-April.