Shippensburg University senior Marcus Huertas has been chosen to represent SU in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) for the fall 2019 term.
THIS is offered to students at universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), and one student from each university is chosen to enter the program.
Huertas, who is a United States Marine Corps veteran and political science major, is interning in the Office of the Speaker of the State House under Rep. Mike Turzai.
Michael Greenberg, a political science professor and THIS campus coordinator at SU, said THIS has been running for around 30 years and is well-established in Harrisburg. The program places students in many different executive and legislative offices, and whereas many students in the program have an interest in public policy, THIS has opportunities for students who are interested in a variety of fields.
“I often had students with an interest in history or planning or economic development and placements at sponsors such as the PA Historical and Museum Commission clearly fit their interests,” Greenberg said.
He also recalled placing business students with interests in human resources into the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
“From my experience the director always seeks placement that fits the students’ major and career goals,” he said.
Students who participate in THIS balance roughly 40 hours in the workplace per week, on top of a three-hour evening course and a semester-long research paper, according to passhe.edu.
Greenberg said the opportunities a student may receive after participating in THIS can set them apart.
“Students gain exposure to the process and develop skills and contacts that set them apart from other applicants,” he said.
He also mentioned that THIS will make a resume stand out.
“Marcus has demonstrated the discipline and dedication that will make him an excellent representative of Shippensburg University, as a THIS student and beyond,” Greenberg said in anSU News press release.
Huertas, like any other student in THIS, is responsible for his tuition and fees. However, he will be able to take part in all of these opportunities, as well as having the opportunity to live in Harrisburg with a $3,500 stipend for living and other expenses.
Students interested in THIS can contact Greenberg at megree@ship.edu.
The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.