Madison Price, a Path Scholar and agricultural business major from Branch, Arkansas, completed an internship in Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson’s office as part of the Arkansas Governor’s Summer Internship Program. She researched topics, prepared briefing memos for the governor, and got an eye-opening opportunity to work on a difficult issue — human trafficking in the state of Arkansas.
As I was looking for opportunities to better myself during the summer, a peer mentor of mine, who I met through the Honors College Path Program, mentioned the Arkansas Governor’s Internship Program. He believed in me, a small-town girl with a focus on agriculture, to take a chance at interning at the Arkansas State Capitol. I was hesitant to apply, but the more I heard about it, the more it became an easy choice. I knew I wanted to spend my summer in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Every morning I would arrive at the Capitol full of so many emotions: the anticipation of upcoming meetings with state leaders, the gratification from research conducted for the benefit of the state and the joy of getting to know fellow interns and staff, to name a few. I enjoyed every day that I was able to help the state of Arkansas under Governor Asa Hutchinson’s administration.
Over the course of eight weeks, I worked on many projects. Some of my work related to reading and briefing memos for the governor. At times, we would be in a full staff meeting and he would ask for research to be done on certain topics. He would want interns to report back what we had researched. These topics included how Arkansas ranked in a survey completed by a private foundation and a COVID-19 report about when and if states ended their health emergency.
The intern group also welcomed tours and guest speakers, and I provided a couple of briefing memos for when the Governor was asked to speak at events. These memos would describe who would be in attendance, what key points were expected to be talked about, and what questions would be brought up in conversation. Those briefings were typically the most rewarding because I could see how my information helped Governor Hutchinson at his events and meetings. There was nothing better than receiving a positive message back from the governor regarding the work I had completed that ended up on his desk.
One of the most rewarding projects I was able to help with was a human trafficking state self-survey. A federal committee asked each state to work with stakeholders and get information regarding their effort to combat human trafficking. The committee will work with the states to recognize the positives and work on the negatives regarding their efforts to diminish human trafficking. I worked with the Senior Advisor for Child Welfare and Intern Director, Mrs. Phyllis Bell, on this project. The importance of knowing how to properly write an email, communicate on the phone with stakeholders, and produce a helpful Microsoft Excel sheet were crucial to this project. This project truly opened my eyes to the horrors of human trafficking in the state of Arkansas. It has led me to be more aware and to be an advocate for men and women who are faced with this horrible system.
Coming into this internship, I knew that my time at County Line High School, the University of Arkansas Honors College, and my leadership activities had prepared me for this milestone in my life. Every step of the way I was pushed to my limits, which allowed for so much growth. I knew that if I were to cling onto hard work and perseverance, as I have been taught all my life, I could succeed at whatever the experience had to offer. Through so many leadership opportunities during my high school career and my first year of college, I was prepared to communicate properly, work effectively and have a good sense of teamwork.
My next step is undecided, but I hope to either find an internship opportunity in Washington, D.C., or study abroad, COVID-19 permitting. I know that my mentors within Bumpers College, the Honors College and the Honors College Path Program will help me plan my next steps as I look for new opportunities and experiences to better my future.
