Meet Austin Ashcraft.
- Major: Political Science
- Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Favorite Ccereal: Cinnamon Life
- Last Movie He Watched: Rudy
- Intern For: Congressman Rob Bishop
AA: There have been a lot of incredible things that I have been able to see and do out here. One of my favorites was being able to watch the floor vote that confirmed Paul Ryan as Speaker of the House. It was great to be there and see the gavel pass from one speaker to another. It was a powerful experience.
Arlington National Cemetery
IOGP: What is it like working for Congressman Bishop? Have you been able to interact with him?
AA: I have loved working for Congressman Bishop. He has a great staff that has really made me feel like I was not just an intern, but an important part of the staff. That has really been a bright spot of my internship. They are great people who work hard and enjoy what they do. That attitude really helps. Congressman Bishop is great as well. He has a relatively small staff, and we get to see and interact with him quite regularly.
IOGP: What are your plans post-internship?
AA: I plan on trying to get involved in the non-profit sector. It is something that has always interested me, and seeing the interaction between non-profit organizations and government has made me want to learn more.
IOGP: Which classes really prepared you for this internship?
AA: Strange as it might sound, one class that has really helped me is National Security Policy, taught by Jeannie Johnson. I am not dealing with national security out here, but in that class we learned how to analyze a certain group or culture, and identify elements of their culture that help us understand the best way to work with them. Everyone is different, and looking for the best way to work with certain groups has helped me understand better the processes that are involved in politics.
The Ferris Wheel at the National Harbor
IOGP: What do you like most about DC?
AA: Washington DC has so much to offer. Whatever you like to do, odds are you can do it out here. The metro system is really nice for getting where you want to go. If you want to get super involved politically, you can do that. If you want to learn about history, there is so much to see here, from monuments to free museums and everything in between. If you want to discover different cultures, you are just a metro stop away. If you want to spend time outdoors, you are very close to some beautiful areas. If you like sports, DC has professional teams for all five major sports. Whatever you want to do, you can find it here.
Shaking Abraham Lincoln's hand at a Washington Nationals game
IOGP: Any recommended sights to see in DC?
AA: The National Mall is great, with all the monuments. It is really fun to see them at night when they are all lit up. There are free walking tours that are great. You meet a guide at a specific spot, and walk around with them talking and telling stories. The Smithsonian Museums (all 19 of them) are all really cool and they are free! Arlington National Cemetery is a must-see. The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is very powerful. If you are able to get out to Gettysburg (about 2 hours away), I would also suggest seeing that. They have a great museum there, and you can walk around the battlefields. It is a very profound experience. Make sure you see the movie at the museum. It is a couple dollars more, but it is completely worth it. There is so much to see and do out here. I have been here almost three months and feel like I have just barely scratched the surface!
White House Gardens
IOGP: What advice would you give to current students thinking of doing a political internship?
AA: Do it. An internship is not something I really even considered doing until Jashon came and asked me about it, but it is a decision that I definitely do not regret. The experience has taught me a lot about the political process, about what I want from the future and about myself in general. It has been a great opportunity.
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