Laurel was a USL Intern for the Utah State Legislature during Winter 2026.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
I interned as the sole assistant for Utah state Senator Harper during the 2026 legislative session. I tracked his 24 plus bills, coordinated meetings, provided talking points for committee hearings and floor presentations, and, provided assistance while he served as president pro tempore. This experience was an incredible learning opportunity as I gained a first hand look at policy making in real time. I gained a greater appreciation for the effort, negotiation, compromise, and time that goes into policy making. I left the internship with a better understanding of how our state government operates and how I can make real change as a citizen. I also gained incredible professional skills while completing my daily responsibilities mentioned earlier.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I was surprised to learn how to read bills and summarize them quickly. I also was surprised to learn how much goes into making policy.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
It didn’t change my future plans, but helped me learn about various opportunities I could pursue in my career field.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
I gained a deep appreciation that I live in a democratic society where those in public service are held accountable by daily citizens. I feel inspired to continue learning and working towards a career that directly affects our laws and civil society.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
Yes. It is an incredible hands on experience that gives you opportunities to learn and grow!
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
Loved it!!
