Hatch taps USU students for senate internship

Utah State University students Don and Elizabeth Wortley, originally from North Salt Lake, are learning about a government for the people and by the people with a semester as interns in the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

“I wanted to learn first hand how our government works and how laws are made,” Elizabeth said. “Who wouldn’t want to come out here? What an amazing opportunity it is to be here. I am really looking forward to seeing all that D.C. has to offer, exploring the city, and learning about America’s history.”

“I wanted to come out here to see how the most powerful government in the world does business,” Don said. “I also want to expand my knowledge of a successful office environment.”

Studying public relations and human resources, Elizabeth has been assigned to aid Hatch’s press staff. A business student, Don works with Hatch’s staff members in charge of energy, education, defense, and trade policy. A rarity for internship experiences in a single Capitol Hill office, the two happen to be married to each other.

“We are so lucky,” Elizabeth said. “We have never worked together before, so it is so much fun to go to and from work together and see each other at lunch. It’s also exciting to learn what the other is involved with and to learn and grow from this experience together.”

“It’s like being an intern for Senator Hatch not only once, but twice,” Don said. “It’s an adventure living and working in D.C., and it’s a thrill that we get to share that adventure.”

The Wortleys and their fellow interns have the inimitable chance to attend press conferences, hearings, and committee meetings, so they can sample a gamut of Capitol Hill experiences. They also give Capitol tours and help on the office’s work for Utah constituents.

“I appreciate everything the Wortleys are doing for me here,” Hatch said. “They’re eager and they get the job done. I’m grateful to have them working in my office.”

Each semester, Hatch gathers interns from Utah. Dozens of students apply for the office’s handful of openings, and summer spots are the most competitive because more students are generally available.

Schools recommend a group of applicants to the internship program based on their grade point average, extra-curricular activities and other accomplishments, then Hatch makes the final cut. Students may also apply on their own using Hatch’s website, hatch.senate.gov. (Click on “Teachers and Students,” then “Internships.”)

“Congressional internships are very tough to land,” Hatch said. “There is competition among the students, and there is competition among the various D.C. internship programs to get the best applicants.”