Stumping for politicians and registering voters could earn University of New Mexico students course credit this election season.
Academically prepared and motivated undergraduates are placed throughout the school year as interns in public agencies, political campaigns, with elected officials, veteran's associations and other volunteer organizations.
Students who complete the requisite hours and submit a final report describing the experience and relating it to political science concepts earn three to six credit hours.
“The internship program is a great opportunity for students to get applied experience,” said Ken Roberts, UNM Political Science Department chair. “It's a good way to supplement what is learned in the classroom and allows them to learn from a different vantage point. It may also open up an opportunity when they leave school.”
Each of the U.S. political campaigns – from Kerry to Bush and Wilson to Romero – is looking for volunteer interns, said Ellen Grigsby, intern program coordinator and UNM's pre-law advisor.
A number of students are working with the New Voters Project, which has field operations at dozens of campuses and communities in six states.
Last semester, the Albuquerque City Council became a classroom for intern Kelby Laabs, a UNM senior majoring in political science and minoring in sociology. Laabs weathered the smoking ban controversy and councilor Greg Payne's proposal to stop cruising and drag racing on Montgomery Avenue. Interaction with voters, who at times hammered him with phone calls, was the most intellectually engaging, he said.
Grigsby said internships also benefit students outside the political science discipline. “This is a way to engage engineering and other students in an area they might not otherwise explore. Field or service learning is a big idea that we turned into a practical goal, offering hands-on experience for all UNM students.”
Students are supervised in the field and meet regularly with Grigsby to chart progress. The final paper can be a research paper, self-assessment or critical review.
Interns this semester are assigned to numerous campaigns, state and national interest groups and public service agencies.
Contact Ellen Grigsby at 277-5233 or egrigsby@unm.edu for more information.
Contact: Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, (505) 277-5915
Posted by scarr at August 30, 2004 01:43 PM