Interested in Becoming a Legislative Intern?
Come join us at the Capitol for the 2025 Georgia Legislative session! The Georgia Legislative Internship Program is open to currently enrolled juniors and seniors at any Georgia college or university. GLIP interns work full-time at the Georgia General Assembly for the entire session and receive both course credit and a weekly stipend.
We will be hosting an information session at the Capitol later this summer; more details will be forthcoming in the following months.
Questions and requests for information can be sent to Dr. Stephanie D. Kerce at [email protected].
Information is also available at https://ga.gsu.edu/ga-legislative-intern-program/
Intern of the Week 2024
Every week a different Georgia Legislative Intern Program intern will be featured on this page. The purpose of this feature is to introduce them to the campus, highlight their achievements while working at the capitol as well as their future goals.
Aubree Pope
Q&A with Aubree Pope
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I am from Cumming, Georgia.
Q: What is your major?
A: I am a Political Science major with a Criminal Justice minor with plans to attend law school in the next few years.
Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to?
A: I was assigned to the Senate Majority Caucus office working for Senator Larry Walker III. Senator Walker also serves as Chairman of the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee.
Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern?
A: On a day-to-day basis as an intern, I help to answer phones, watch the front desk, deliver bills, and support my office team with guidance from legislative assistants or senators.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience?
A: With this internship, the main thing that I am seeking is experience. Even though I may not be focusing on going directly into politics, so many different kinds of attorneys can be found throughout the Capitol.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: I think this internship will do a wonderful job of getting me used to a professional environment, and will really expose me to the governmental process firsthand. Getting to see what goes on behind the scenes of bills and lawmaking is so interesting. I believe the resources that are offered to me at the Capitol will greatly benefit me in law school. Lawyers are a major factor in helping the legislative process move along because they are the brain power when it comes to understanding the law. I think GLIP is by far the most exciting way for me to get my foot in the door, and I am ecstatic to have gotten this opportunity.
Aubree Pope
Vikram Sehgal
Q&A with Vikram Sehgal
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I am from Tucker, Georgia. It is a small city about 20 miles northeast of Downtown Atlanta.
Q: What is your major?
A: I am a junior majoring in Business Economics.
Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to?
A: With my internship with the Georgia General Assembly, I am assigned to the Senate Office of Policy and Legislative Analysis (OPLA), formerly know as the Senate Research Office.
Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern?
A: As an intern, I am responsible for tracking bills, conducting research as requested by Senators, and assisting in the preparation of bill summaries for committee meetings.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience?
A: I am eager to gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process by immersing myself in it firsthand. I anticipate not only observing the proceedings of the Georgia General Assembly but also comprehending its operational intricacies.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: During this internship, I am cultivating invaluable professional relationships, acquiring hands-on work experience, and honing new skills—all of which will significantly contribute to my future career pursuits.
Vikram Sehgal
Jinnefer Lin
Q&A with Jinnefer Lin
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I grew up in Duluth, Georgia.
Q: What is your major?
A: I have an interdisciplinary major, meaning I have 3 different concentrations in my major: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Recently I just declared a minor in Finance. I’m on the road to more knowledge!
Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to?
A: I am assigned to the House of Representatives Education Committee with Chairman Chris Erwin.
Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern?
A: As a legislative intern, my responsibilities are extensive yet adaptable. Day to day, I manage documents and bills crucial to the representatives, ensuring seamless coordination of their meetings and schedules. Additionally, I undertake various projects assigned by the representatives, ranging from organizing road or bridge dedications to preparing and printing summaries of recent bills.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience?
A: In this GLIP experience, I aspire to enhance my social skills and cultivate the confidence to engage with individuals in the broader community. The world is brimming with diverse people and countless opportunities, and I am eager to explore them all. Within the dynamic environment of the Capitol Building, where individuals from across the globe converge, I aim to actively connect with everyone, eager to learn from their unique perspectives and contributions.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: The internship is poised to expand my horizons and present opportunities that would have eluded me otherwise. I am enthusiastic about the exciting connections I will make with diverse individuals.
Jinnefer Lin
Blanca Flor Gomez
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I’m a first generation student from a small rural town in South Georgia called Hazlehurst.
Q: What is your major?
A: When I first started at GSU, I was a Criminal Justice major with a minor in French. However, after participating in a Political Science Study Abroad Program, I fell in love with Political Science and quickly changed my major. I’m currently a Political Science major with a minor in Criminal Justice.
Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to?
A: I was assigned to the House Media Services Office as the assistant for the Director of Media and her immediate team.
Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern?
A: My responsibilities encompass meticulous note-taking during House Committee meetings, aiding in the drafting of press releases, and promptly sharing meeting videos with House Representatives upon their request.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience?
A: I hope to gain invaluable behind-the-scenes insight into the workings of state-level legislation and the collaborative efforts of legislators, transcending political divides, as they navigate the legislative process.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: This experience is instrumental in aligning with my long-term aspirations within the field of international relations/affairs. It has not only solidified my career path but also ignited a passion to pursue law school following my graduation in the spring.
Blanca Flor Gomez
Leah Soller
Q: Where is your hometown? A: I grew up in Roswell, Georgia.
Q: What is your major?
A: I’m a Political Science major with a concentration in Pre-Law.
Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to?
A: I was assigned to Representative Sharon Cooper who is the Chairwoman for the Public Health Committee.
Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern?
A: As Representative Cooper’s intern, I attend and take notes at many of her meetings. I also assist in keeping track of subjects and bills discussed and follow up with people after. I aid in monitoring the progress of numerous projects which in turn enables her to focus on each one and ensuring that they are all moving forward according to her requirements.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience?
A: I hope that this experience will teach me the skills I need to navigate a professional environment. This internship has opened my eyes to the value of team work and how much can be accomplished when people work together. I want to learn more about the ecosystem of Georgia. It has been intriguing to observe the diverse interactions among various companies and organizations that collectively constitute the state of Georgia.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: In the little time I have worked at the Capitol, I have seen how important small changes in the language of bills are, and how it can affect the lives of people. It has increased my interest in going to law school so that I can become more fluent in understanding the technical jargons used.
Leah Soller
Zahra Abdullah
Q: Where is your hometown? A: I grew up in Trenton, New Jersey.
Q: What is your major?
A: I’m in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration on Law and Society.
Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to?
A: I am assigned to Health and Human Services.
Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern?
A: Some of the tasks I have as an intern include legislative tracking, filing bills and documents and constituent correspondence. I also attend and help organize committee meetings, senate page directory, bill pickup and drop off, writing letters, and researching areas of public policies necessary to my senators’ political goals.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience?
A: I hope to learn about the internal mechanisms of the legislature and the ways it tangibly impacts our daily lives. I also want to be able to witness various forms of law in all of its forms: including public policy, attorney work, lobbying efforts, and constituent political engagement. I believe that the opportunity to develop life long connections and a greater understanding of our legislative process will provide me with the tools necessary to one day excel in my own career.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: This experience will help me in my future career plans by providing guidance with regard to which area of law I want to pursue, establish important networking and life long mentors, and greatly improve skills necessary for my future occupation; such as writing, research, analysis, professional conduct, and public speaking.
Zahra Abdullah
Ibunkun Ogunkunle
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I grew up in Snellville, Georgia.
Q: What is your major?
A: I’m majoring in Political Science.
Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to?
A: The offices I was placed under were: Re-Apportionment and Re-Districting under Chairman Leverett; State Planning and Community Affairs under Chairlady Mathiak, along with Representative Persinger and Representative Byrd; Lastly, House Media and Services.
Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern?
A: Some duties include answering constituent calls while providing solutions to get their voices heard; bill-tracking, picking up bills, and proofreading them when needed. I’ve also been managing emails/letters. Recently, I got added to the committee, House Media and Services, where I manage the camera angles, microphone settings, and ensuring that all electronics are ready for floor sessions and committee meetings which are typically broadcasted.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience?
A: I hope to gain further knowledge on what are the full duties of a State Representative. It’s easy to hear in classes what each representative or senator does, but to witness it; makes it better to comprehend and respect the members of the legislator body even more.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: This experience will help with my future advocacy. I hope to strengthen my connections and bring about actual change to the Juvenile Justice System; ensuring that the youths don’t wind up in adverse circumstances which may essentially keep them stagnant or hold them back in life. My ultimate goal is for our youth to know that their voice can be heard, and it always matters. I also plan to obtain my master’s degree following undergrad.
Ibunkun Ogunkunle
Artemio Gonzalez
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I grew up in Gwinnett and lived in Sugar Hill from the moment I was born until the day I moved out for college. The memories and lessons I made in my hometown made me the person I am today and I hold them very dear to me.
Q: What is your major?
A: My major is Finance and I’m minoring in Political Science.
Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to?
A: I’m assigned to Senator Brandon Beach’s office who serves as the Chairman of the Economic Development & Tourism committee.
Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern?
A: As a legislative intern at the State Capitol, I am engaged in a dynamic role where every day brings fresh challenges. Central to my duties is the meticulous organization and preparation of essential paperwork and documentation for bills slated for committee deliberation. Moreover, I am tasked with handling constituent inquiries via phone, adeptly noting and addressing their concerns regarding district matters.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience?
A: Through my internship with GLIP, I hope to gain invaluable insights into the inner workings of government and the legislative process. My primary objective for this session is to nurture meaningful professional connections with Senators, dedicated staffers, and like-minded interns, thereby embracing a wealth of diverse perspectives and experiences.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: Participating in the GLIP program offers an excellent opportunity for me to delve into potential career paths, especially in Government and Politics, a field I am actively contemplating. As someone navigating the crossroads of career exploration, the hands-on experience provided by GLIP is instrumental in shedding light on diverse professional trajectories. Whether I ultimately carve a path within government and politics or venture into alternative avenues, the skills, knowledge, and perspectives acquired through this internship will undoubtedly catalyze my professional evolution and maturation.
Artemio Gonzalez
Nicholas Parra
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I was raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County.
Q: What is your major?
A: I am a second-year Political Science major, with a minor in Public Policy, and a concentration in International Affairs.
Q: Which office/committee are you assigned to?
A: I am assigned to the House Minority Leader’s office.
Q: What are some of your duties as a legislative intern?
A: I create multiple bill research reports for the Minority Leader each day, meet with lobbyists to sponsor meetings with the House Democratic Caucus, and attend subcommittee meetings to speak to the representatives and witnesses.
Q: What do you hope to learn or come away with from the GLIP experience?
A: As a former intern from a U.S. Congressman’s office, I learned about the various federal agencies that provided constituent services. Now, working for the Georgia General Assembly, I would like to educate myself on the different state agencies and programs that can benefit Georgians of all backgrounds.
Q: How will this experience help you in your future career plans?
A: I am building invaluable experience to launch a successful political campaign in 2026. Many elected officials, staff, and candidates have inspired me to seek public office. As the son of immigrants, I am proud to participate in constituent service initiatives, focusing on the importance of voting rights in minority communities. I still have a lot left to learn, but working under the Gold Dome is a step in the right direction.
Nicholas Parra
Contact Us
Michael Parkerson
Vice President, Government & Community Affairs
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-2030
Jason Thomas
Assistant Director for State Relations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-1405
Debbie Jones
Associate to the Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-2030
Vinesh Sahadeo Singh
Data Analyst
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-1405
Address
Government and Community Affairs
Centennial Hall
100 Auburn Avenue, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30303
