Beginning in Spring 2022, UVU Legislative Interns will become Herbert Interns and will be part of the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy at Utah Valley University. UVU’s best and brightest will have the opportunity go to the State Capitol and intern for State House and Senate members during the annual Utah Legislative Session. Interns act as a Chief of Staff to legislators during the 45-day period and have a front row seat to the legislative process.
Herbert intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
Interns are paid a stipend of roughly $2,700 for their 6-week internship. The 2022 Utah State Legislative Session starts on Tuesday, January 18th and goes until Friday, March 4th, but students will need to be available full time starting January 3rd.
In 2021, Governor Herbert created the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy, a non-partisan public policy institute at Utah Valley University. The Institute engages students and the community promoting civic involvement. The Institute supports UVU’s mission by providing the community and students a unique opportunity to participate in public policy conversations, internships, and events that honor and highlight Governor Herbert’s 31-year legacy of community service.
Gary R. Herbert served as the 17th Governor of Utah from 2009 to 2021; Lt. Governor to Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. from 2004 to 2009; and served as chair of the National Governors Association from 2015 to 2016. As a native of Orem, Herbert served on the Utah County Commission for 14 years and was born in American Fork, Utah and moved to Orem as a young child. He grew up close to UVU’s campus, and to this day lives within blocks of the University.
Governor Herbert is a life-long supporter of UVU. He was a student of Utah Trade and Technical Institute and returned as an adjunct professor in the Woodbury School of Business. As an adjunct professor, he taught the largest evening class at the time.
The Herbert Internship program is a highly competitive and prestigious internship because of the high-profile interactions and responsibilities that students will enjoy. This internship is beneficial to students of any major due to the comprehensive nature of the duties and responsibilities focused on public policy. This internship immerses students in communications, policy, research, government, and social situations- all of which will resume building experience regardless of a student’s career path.
To apply an applicant must:
* Please note that this internship is open to all majors
During the first three weeks of the spring semester, Herbert Intern are required to take a preparatory course offered through UVU’s Political Science and Communication Departments, The Hinckley Institute, and UVU Internship Services. The two-week course schedule is held all-day, with one week of curriculum held at the Utah State Capitol. Assignments may be given prior to the start of spring semester (during the holiday break). The course is designed to better prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed while interning.
Additionally, during the session interns will attend lunch seminars once a week to discuss ongoing legislation, state policy and local politics with occasional guest speakers. The internship, preparation course, and weekly seminars combined total 12 credits. Students are not allowed to take any additional credits or have any other work commitments during internship.
Applications are submitted online through the link above. After applications have been collected and reviewed, final candidates will be interviewed by the selection committee; selections are made at the beginning of November. Specific dates and the application for the current year, are posted in August of each year.
Application requirements:
Please contact Jakell Larson, UVU Internship Manager for Government and High Impact Internships, with any questions.
