Campaign interns political experience
Students in capital city get politically involved, active at state headquarters
Christina Elmore
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: News
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As republican and democratic candidates compete in the race to be president, internship opportunities open up for students in the McCain and Clinton campaigns at Columbia branches.
B.J. Boling, the state communication director with the South Carolina branch of the McCain campaign, said interns are essential in promoting a candidate successfully.
"Interns are the backbone of any campaign. Campaigns work on limited budgets, and interns provide resources to help with that," Boling said.
While the job description of a political intern varies depending on the department that he or she works in, general responsibilities include making phone calls to voters, campaigning door to door in local areas and helping out anytime their respective candidate comes into town.
Viki Alvarez, a second-year political science student and intern with the McCain campaign, said one of the ways she is helping the campaign is by promoting the Republican candidate on USC's campus.
"Well, in addition to doing office work and clerical duties, I'm attempting to develop a Gamecocks for McCain organization on campus," Alvarez said.
By doing so Alvarez believes she can help change the indifferent opinion many college students tend to have when it comes to politics.
"Getting involved in political internships helps to combat the sense of apathy that is so common in our generation," Alvarez said.
Zac Wright, the communication director of the South Carolina branch of the Clinton campaign, said hard work and the hours interns put into the campaign can give them many benefits.
"Interns can gain a tremendous amount of work experience, and in the Clinton campaign, the satisfaction of knowing that you helped make history," Wright said.
Along with work experience, interns also have the opportunity to possibly meet the candidate that they passionately work for.
"Anytime the senator visits, interns get access to someone who could possibly be the next president," Boling said of John McCain.
B.J. Boling, the state communication director with the South Carolina branch of the McCain campaign, said interns are essential in promoting a candidate successfully.
"Interns are the backbone of any campaign. Campaigns work on limited budgets, and interns provide resources to help with that," Boling said.
While the job description of a political intern varies depending on the department that he or she works in, general responsibilities include making phone calls to voters, campaigning door to door in local areas and helping out anytime their respective candidate comes into town.
Viki Alvarez, a second-year political science student and intern with the McCain campaign, said one of the ways she is helping the campaign is by promoting the Republican candidate on USC's campus.
"Well, in addition to doing office work and clerical duties, I'm attempting to develop a Gamecocks for McCain organization on campus," Alvarez said.
By doing so Alvarez believes she can help change the indifferent opinion many college students tend to have when it comes to politics.
"Getting involved in political internships helps to combat the sense of apathy that is so common in our generation," Alvarez said.
Zac Wright, the communication director of the South Carolina branch of the Clinton campaign, said hard work and the hours interns put into the campaign can give them many benefits.
"Interns can gain a tremendous amount of work experience, and in the Clinton campaign, the satisfaction of knowing that you helped make history," Wright said.
Along with work experience, interns also have the opportunity to possibly meet the candidate that they passionately work for.
"Anytime the senator visits, interns get access to someone who could possibly be the next president," Boling said of John McCain.
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