From Carolina to Capitol Hill
Posted on: November 1, 2013; Updated on: November 1, 2013
By Liz McCarthy, lwhite@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-2848
Jordan Dick is uncertain whether his future lies in the law or in advertising. But he does know that his semester in Washington, D.C., working for South Carolina’s senior senator has given him skills that will help him in either career.
A junior advertising major, Dick and 12 other students from S.C. colleges and universities, are living and working in Washington, D.C., as part of Carolina’s Washington Semester Internship Program. They take classes with the program’s professors, work on Capitol Hill and explore the city.
“I saw this as an opportunity to expand what I know,” says Dick, an Indian Land, S.C., native. “It’s much different than back home. I’m meeting a group of new people, and I hope to grow from this experience.”
Dick is using the opportunity to try to choose a career path, but he knows the experience working from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham will be valuable no matter what he chooses.
“I’m learning how to be professional and successful,” he said. “I’m learning to take pride in what I do.”
He also has learned how to represent South Carolina and USC.
“I feel a stronger connection to the university because, up here, I’m a representative of Carolina,” Dick said. “If I meet somebody who has never been to South Carolina, I’m their first impression.”
The Washington Semester Internship Program is run out of the South Carolina Honors College and accepts students from colleges and universities across the state. The students live in an apartment-style house near Capitol Hill.
Dick, who also is minoring in business, said he has built relationships with students from other universities.
“It just speaks volumes that USC offers this program. It’s a privilege,” he said. “The work I’m doing now will have an impact on my career in the future. It’s a really fun experience, and I’ve got a lot of stories from the job.”
For more information about the Washington Internship Semester Program check out the website.
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