Emily was a Utah Senate Intern for the Utah State Legislature during Winter 2026.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
I spent the 2026 General Session as sole assistant to Sen. Lincoln Fillmore (R-South Jordan). During the session, he serves as the chair of the Senate Rules Committee and is a member of the following committees: Senate Education Committee; Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee; Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee; Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; and Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
Because he sponsored 22 bills and floor sponsored 16 more, I functioned less as a passive observer and more as an operations manager. I tracked his bills, drafted talking points, fielded emails, prepared handouts for committee and caucus, coordinated with lobbyists and advocacy groups, entered data from 200+ mail-in surveys, and managed his incredibly busy schedule. The pace was quick, especially in the final week. I shadowed Sen. Fillmore to all meetings unless he needed me elsewhere, working from 8am to 5 or 6pm for the first 5 weeks, then longer.
Overall, I was reliable, punctual, and professional, and did all I could to help Sen. Fillmore look good. I asked for weekly feedback and implemented changes immediately. Throughout the internship, I developed diverse professional skills. I learned to juggle multiple deadlines; prepare concise and attractive visual aids; manage a busy schedule; communicate effectively with lobbyists and interest groups; and generally keep everything organized.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I learned to trust our governmental system a lot more because I saw how it works and I saw the checks on government powers.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
I now hope to get an MPA and potentially work in the public sector as a policy analyst.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
I prayed for help to be aware of the needs of Senator Fillmore as well as others around me, and I feel like God gave me the strength and insights to serve well. (I was 8 months pregnant when I finished the internship)
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
Absolutely! I loved the network I built, and I felt like I learned a lot about communication, organization, and building trust.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
It was incredible!
