Different institutions in the Baton Rouge area are havens for four interns working for government institutions as part of their internship program. These interns have to work at these government institutions for one full semester, Mondays through Thursdays. They are not paid interns, but they receive a stipend, paid tuition and housing at Louisiana State University or Southern University if needed. Also, students earn 15 hours of academic credit.

On Fridays, the students attend a class at Nicholls with Dr. Glenn Antizzo, the Center for Women and Government internship director. In class, they go over issues that are in any way affecting government. In addition, they have to write research papers on government-based articles.

This internship program gives the interns hands-on experience on governmental procedures and a better understanding of how things are run in government institutions.

Alaina Cavell, government junior from Thibodaux, is an intern working at the Republican Legislative Delegation.

“This internship has opened up so many career avenues to explore,” Cavell said.

Established in 1990, The Louisiana Center for Women and Government gives men and women who have completed 60 hours of college credit the opportunity to advance themselves in government by offering the internship program.

Monique Crochet, acting director, is on the search committee, which selects the students who will be interning for the semester.

“We [Nicholls] have the only center for Women and Government in Louisiana,” Crochet said.

Students from other universities like Dillard, Southern University of New Orleans and Grambling have inquired about the program.

Students will need an official college transcript, a letter of interest and two letters of recommendation, which have to be turned in to the Department of History and Social Sciences.

There will be a review of all student applications by the search committee, followed by an interview process where students are selected.

“I’m only a college student, yet I spend my days around the state capitol, working with legislators and making valuable connections that I can use after graduation,” Cavell said.

The center is exploring other options for other institutions where students could work besides Baton Rouge.

“In the future, I’ll be traveling to different universities making presentations to promote women government,” Crochet said.

“We’re [Center for Women and Government] looking to expand the internship to different cities like Metairie and Hammond, not just Baton Rouge.”