Frankfort, Illinois, Student Interns In Durbin's Washington, DC Office
WASHINGTON – Frankfort, Illinois, native Regan Sandberg spent this fall interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working behind the scenes in the Senator’s Capitol Hill office as an intern. Each year, close to 50 interns work in Durbin’s Washington, D.C. office.
“I started my career on Capitol Hill as a college intern for Senator Paul Douglas of Illinois,” Durbin said. “I will never forget that day in February of 1966 when he agreed to hire me as an intern to work in his office. As a student from East St. Louis, Illinois, going to work in the office of a U.S. Senator was one of the most exciting things I had ever done. I know what a valuable experience it can be and we strive to make sure all of our students get a glimpse into the workings of the United States Senate.”
Regan is from Frankfort, Illinois, and is currently a senior at Indiana University pursuing a degree in law and public policy with a minor in Spanish. Prior to arriving in Washington, D.C., she worked for the Village of Frankfort and spent two weeks in Ireland as a teaching assistant for a cross-cultural conflict class. On campus, she has worked as a teaching assistant for the O’Neill School and as a resident assistant for two years for the Civic Leaders Living Learning Community. Additionally, she was a member of Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM), pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta, and Women in Government.
“When I was applying for internships this past summer, I knew Senator Durbin’s office was where I wanted to work,” Regan said. “This was because I viewed Senator Durbin as kind, hardworking, and ultimately willing to stand up for what is right. After interning at the office, I learned that Senator Durbin and his team spend countless hours listening to constituents and doing research to make decisions on legislation that benefits Illinois. Being a part of an office that takes constituent voices to heart has been an honor and a privilege, and I could not have imagined a better experience.”
The intern responsibilities include assisting full-time staff in responding to constituent related topics, assisting with information inquiries, attending committee and agency hearings and briefings, researching legislative issues and policy questions, and observing floor proceedings. During that time, the students gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process, learn about the inner-workings of the federal government, and develop valuable research skills.
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