Congressional Externships: Legislation in Action
Through field work in the offices of Nevada’s Congressional delegates, students gain experience with federal legislation and policy through work that may include assisting legislative staff with constituent matters, attending stakeholder meetings, researching legislative issues, preparing briefing summaries, observing floor proceedings, and attending meetings related to specific legislation.
Regularly Offered Field Placements
To learn more about student experiences, click the arrows below (testimonials available for select placements; content updated as new testimonials are received).
Anna Sanders
Externed with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto - Las Vegas Office
During my externship with Senator Cortez Masto’s Las Vegas office, I worked on a range of constituent services and policy-related projects. This included answering constituent calls and voicemails, assisting with casework intake, and tracking daily news and media mentions relevant to the Senator. I also worked on longer-term projects, including researching and identifying potential stakeholders for the office to build relationships with. As part of this, I focused on environmental organizations in Southern Nevada and began developing recommendations for future outreach and collaboration. I developed my ability to communicate clearly and professionally with constituents, often navigating sensitive situations and responding in a calm and respectful manner.
This externship reinforced my interest in pursuing a career at the intersection of environmental policy and government. Through my work identifying environmental stakeholders and observing how a Senate office engages with community organizations, I gained a better understanding of how policy priorities are shaped and advanced at the federal level. It also confirmed my interest in working in a role that combines legal training with policy development, particularly in areas related to environmental and water issues in Southern Nevada.