By Kylie Rowe

I nterning over the summer in Washington, D.C., is a coveted opportunity for many young people, and Georgia College & State University students Kassie Arps and Sam Paton aren’t wasting the opportunity. 

The two rising seniors — Arps a mass communication major and Paton a political science student — met their freshman year, became roommates in Milledgeville and are now both working on Capitol Hill. 

Kassie Arps, Scott Circle Communications

A reference from the “Hamilton” musical got Arps’ foot in the door.

During her interview with Scott Circle Communications, she quoted Aaron Burr, stating that she “wants to be in the room where it happens.” Just a few months later, she found herself in our nation’s capital, doing important communications work and meeting politicians like Hillary and Bill Clinton.

Arps is a media relations intern. She helps nonprofit organizations, coordinating their media outreach and monitoring their publicity. Arps has five of her own clients based in the healthcare field that she communicates with on a weekly basis.

“The types of writing that I had to do at GCSU, including writing pitch emails and press releases in AP style, really prepared me for the writing that I am doing right now,” said Arps.

At Scott Circle Communications, Arps is learning firsthand in a variety of notable rooms. For many early-career professionals, being in these environments might feel daunting; however, Arps feels prepared.

“The teachers at GCSU have always encouraged me and challenged me to ask questions,” said Arps. “I think a lot of people view asking questions as a weakness … but because of GCSU, I know that it is a strength to ask for clarity.”

Sam Paton, U.S House of Representatives

Paton’s journey to D.C. was a whirlwind: She was offered her internship with just a week’s notice to pack up and leave to serve as a congressional intern.

Now, Paton writes memos and letters for constituents, meets with lobbying groups and gives tours of the Capitol Building. The most important part of her internship is staying informed about what is going to be on the floor during session weeks, as well as networking with other congressional personnel.

“What I learned in Leadership Programs helped me with my people skills,” said Paton. “As far as coursework, I learned how to write memos from Steve Elliott-Gower’s National Security Policy class.”

Leadership Programs are a key component of GCSU’s academic journey. In fact, a total of 93% of all 2024 graduates participated in high-impact learning practices — including Leadership Programs, internships, mentored undergraduate research, study abroad and service learning — during their time on campus. These practices offer students unique access to transformative experiential learning activities that often lead directly to career opportunities.

After graduation, Paton hopes to land a full-time position in policy writing, and she’s confident that her Capitol Hill internship has primed her for success. 

GC in DC

Both Arps and Paton are working in Washington this summer as part of the GC in DC program at Georgia College. GC in DC provides students with support as they pursue internships on Capitol Hill. The program is available to students of all majors, including those in the humanities, mass communication, business, political science and natural and environmental sciences. Students are matched with a mentor from the GC in DC team. These mentors guide students through the internship process and continue to oversee students throughout their internship by checking in over the course of the semester and ensuring their D.C. experience is substantive and rewarding.