SGA internship allows for opportunity

The West Virginia University Student Government Association Internship Program is accepting applications for the 2012-13 school year.

Governor Bridget Boyd, current head of the Internship Program, said she encourages all students interested in being a part of SGA or to get involved closely with West Virginia University to apply.

"A misconception of the word ‘intern’ is someone who does busy work for someone – someone who makes copies or gets coffee, but an SGA intern is something completely different," Boyd said.

Each intern is paired with a member of the Board of Governors or of the Executive Branch, based on the applicant’s interests.

Interns will work closely with that individual and their projects throughout the year to give them an in-depth look into the SGA and how it operates.

The application for the program asks applicants on their interests – which projects and platforms they’d be interested in working with, their future ambitions and what they hope to accomplish as an intern.

"Last year, we did sort of an intern speed dating before an SGA meeting, where all of the interns and governors came and spoke with one another about their programs and goals," Boyd said. "It was a really good way for the interns and governors to figure out who they wanted to work with."

Boyd’s goal for the internship program is for each governor and executive to be paired with an intern.

Many governors and executives began SGA through the internship program, and believe it’s something freshmen and all others interested in getting involved should consider.

SGA Director of Student Organizations Farah Famouri served as an intern last year under
Governor Isabelle Shepherd.

"Isabelle and I had classes together, and I knew she was involved in SGA, so I reached out to her on how to get involved," Famouri said. "I knew I wanted to give back to WVU and really make a change, and SGA is a brilliant way of doing that."

Famouri said the internship program provided her with the opportunity to learn more about the University and better understand how SGA operates.

"I would definitely recommend this program to interested students, because it is the best way of getting a feel for SGA before becoming involved fully," Famouri said. "You get a feel of the organization and what goes on while still being very involved."

While freshman students are encouraged to apply, Boyd said the program is open to any student at WVU, and she encourages all students to apply.

"It’s ideally geared toward freshmen, because upperclassmen are encouraged to apply for executive positions, but we will take anyone," Boyd said. "Last year, we had quite a few upperclassmen as interns, so basically anyone who is new to the organization is what the internship program is for."

Boyd said she believes the internship program provides a good foundation for students and allows them to make their mark in an active University organization.

"I think that anybody who is involved in any organization early on gets more out of their college career," Boyd said. "Obviously, SGA is a very active organization, and I think being active in something your freshman year gets you more incentive to become more involved and make a difference in the University – and that’s what we do as SGA members."

Applications are available online at www.sga.wvu.edu/documents, and are due Wednesday in the SGA office located in the Student Organization Wing of the Mountainlair.