NGU senior interns in Washington, D.C.
Kaitlyn Lundy, News Editor
In the last semester of his senior year, American studies major, John Mark Haase spent two months representing NGU as a student in The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) Capital Semester program in Washington, D.C. where he was able to intern under Congressman Ralph Norman. While there he attended night classes at George Mason University, while he pursued his internship during the daytime.
According to their website, TFAS is “an educational nonprofit that is changing the world by developing leaders for a free society.”
During the Capital Semester programs, students work about 30 hours a week where they are able to gain work experience, attend seminars, develop skills, and network with individuals in their future field of work.
“I was excited about taking classes at another university and about the internship and meeting new people and I was hopeful that there would be aspects of my professional career that might develop through it academically,” Haase said.
Haase was provided a mentor who specialized in economics, something Haase wasn’t as experienced in, so through the program he was able to gain more knowledge in that regard. His mentor was once a junior economic advisor to the president, so he had countless knowledge to share with Haase.
In the summer of 2019, Haase interned with Senator Tim Scott. He also served as junior class vice president last year as well as treasurer of the Philosophy Club. While interning with Tim Scott, Haase spoke with constituents connecting them to the correct staff member, in addition to working on various research projects on education and international affairs.
“Having the internship with Tim Scott, helping found the Philosophy Club, and having leadership qualities at Chick-fil-a I think really helped me get this internship. TFAS is looking for people who share similar ideologies as them, so I think those things led to my acceptance,” he said.
Living in the heart of the capital, Haase was able to experience incredible things. “I got to tour the West Wing of the White House which you have to know someone who knows someone in order to and TFAS knows everyone. That was really cool,” he said.
Haase is pursuing a track that will eventually lead him to a government position, although he currently doesn’t know what that will exactly look like. With the Tim Scoot internship as well as the TFAS internship, Haase has well-rounded experience in the knowing how the House as well as the Senate run. He plans to take the LSAT at some point in the near future and will most likely begin preparing for law school post-grad.
“I have a desire for things to be better and when you see problems, you go to the government to solve them, which is why I like the political compass,” Haase commented.
The TFAS academic internship programs are available for students in the fall and spring with a focus on limited government, free-market economics, and honorable leadership.
“Today, there are more than 42,000 TFAS alumni making the difference in their communities and throughout the world by upholding the values essential to the preservation and success of a free society,” the website states.
Anyone interested in applying can visit the recruitment website here.
