Bumpers College Student Gains Experience in Agricultural Policy

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Agricultural economics major Amy West poses in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., where she worked through the Spitze Public Policy Legislative Internship.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Moving her entire life to Washington, D.C., to intern with a U.S. senator and focus on policy involving the field of agriculture took time to adjust for Amy West, a student in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

The transition was challenging, but it helped West gain experience in the area she hopes to have a career in after college.

A Bumpers College program at the University of Arkansas allowed her to experience D.C. and see if public policy is an area she wants to be involved with in the future. The Spitze Public Policy Legislative Internship provides funding for one student who is working with agricultural policy in a legislative or congressional office.

According to West, she had the opportunity to gain great experience on how things work in various political offices, as well as meet people from different walks of life. The enhanced learning experience allowed her to get a glimpse of what life is like in the real world.

“I worked and lived with people who had backgrounds that were completely different than mine,” said West. “That was the most valuable experience, learning how to work with people who were so different than me.”

According to West, the transition from rural Arkansas to Washington, D.C., was difficult. “The toughest part was actually living in D.C.,” she said. “Everything you would need is within three miles, which was very cool, but hard to adapt to.”

West is a junior agricultural economics major. She works for professor H. L. Goodwin in the agricultural economics department as a research assistant and plans to go to graduate school to continue her studies in this area.

“This internship helped me gain experience in an area that I want to be involved in for a career and to see the specific places that I could make an impact,” said West.

West is involved in many areas on campus, including the Associated Student Government as the Chair of Senate, athletics as a Diamond Doll and the Razorback Foundation Student Executive Board. She is also involved in Greek Life in Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and as a junior PanHellenic Council delegate. She is the director of business affairs for Collegiate Farm Bureau and spent the summer of 2012 studying abroad in Belize.

West said her internship was very beneficial for her career aspirations.

“I would absolutely recommend this program,” she said. “It gave me invaluable experience that I will be able to use going forward in my career.”

West worked in U.S. Sen. John Boozman’s office. Boozman serves on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and is also a member of the Hunger Caucus. Boozman was the featured speaker at a recent Bumpers College Food for Thought lecture series on campus.

The Spitze Public Policy Legislative Internship is given every year through the college. It was established by Robert and Hazel Spitze, who support the Bumpers College.