MBU Student Interns with WI Lt. Governor Kleefisch
First Day of the Internship
Most people do not expect to meet a celebrity their first day on the job, and Kylee Zempel was no different. Working as an intern in the office of Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, the junior Communications Arts major was not expecting to meet Kleefisch for quite some time.
“When I first interviewed for the internship, I was told that the Lt. Governor wouldn’t be in the office very much,” Zempel says. “But she happened to be in the office my first day on the job.”
This meeting jumpstarted Zempel’s internship, which involved experiences and opportunities that can only be described as “once in a lifetime.”
Soon, Zempel found herself riding along with Kleefisch to an event in Madison. Upon arrival, Zempel talked with another speaker at the event, Ahman Green, a former running back for the Green Bay Packers.
“When we got in the car after the event, Kleefisch turned to me and said, ‘I cannot believe we met the real Ahman Green! It’s not everyday you meet a celebrity.’ I was just sitting there thinking, ‘Well that was the second celebrity that I’ve met today.’”
The ride back to the Capitol gave Zempel an opportunity to ask Kleefisch questions about handling the seemingly tough crowd and interacting with the press.
“Kleefisch provided a lot of insight about public speaking, working with people, and dealing with difficult situations. She gave me really great advice.”
Zempel’s adventures were far from over.
Arriving back at the Capitol, Zempel and another intern listened to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker give the State of the State address. “Hearing him present himself with so much integrity and honesty was simply amazing,” says Zempel.
While such exciting opportunities do not happen every day, Zempel has continued to learn from every experience working at the Capitol.
Lessons Learned
A typical day includes creating briefs for the Lt. Governor, riding along to various events, answering phone calls, and handling constituent requests. These responsibilities have pushed Zempel outside of her comfort zone, forcing her to think quickly and critically.
“You have to roll with the punches when dealing with people. When someone asks you a question that you do not know how to answer, you have to think on your feet in order to handle the situation professionally.”
Zempel relies on her communications training to help her do her job. “Lessons from my English, speech, and communication classes have been invaluable in my work at the Capitol,” she says.
The experience has also enabled Zempel to face her fears and struggles. “Learning to be confident outside of your comfort zone can be difficult. For example, the other day I had to interrupt the Lt. Governor several times to tell her we needed to get on the road. That’s my job, but it’s still difficult to be sure of myself in that situation.”
Looking to the Future
Overall, Zempel has greatly enjoyed her experience interning with Lt. Governor Kleefisch. For individuals considering an internship, Zempel says, “Just get one.” In fact, she so believes in the value of internships that she is in the process of securing one in Washington D.C. for this coming summer. To support this internship, Zempel has established a Go Fund Me page.
“Once you graduate and are looking for a professional job, it’s expected that you have a degree. So then the question becomes ‘What else have you done? What other experiences do you have?’ Internships certainly set you apart.”
To the hopeful intern, Zempel encourages talking to your advisors, compiling a resume, and above all, talking to people. “Never be afraid to reach out and ask questions,” she says. “The worst people can say is no.”
For more information about an internship like Zempel’s, email Steve Board at Steven.Board@mbu.edu. To apply for an internship like Zempel’s, go here: Public Service Internship Scholarship.
When speaking with Zempel about this opportunity, one cannot mistake the sparkle of excitement in her eyes. Describing her experience in words is impossible because even a phrase like “once in a lifetime” only scratches the surface.