MAGNOLIA—Southern Arkansas University student Sarah Tutt went to Washington D.C. with her mind set on teaching, but came back with the idea of working for the government.
Tutt, a junior from Camden, interned for Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln from May 29 to June 29. The internship provided her with her first plane ride and her first chance to see how the nation’s capitol operates. The English major said she was thoroughly impressed with the warmness of Lincoln’s staff and their dedication to make sure interns took on more than just office busy work.
“With some internships, the main focus is that the employees get as much use out of the interns as possible,” Tutt said. “But in (Lincoln’s office) they were interested in you learning and getting experience in areas that interested you.”
To be eligible for the internship, Tutt had to send in three letters of recommendation, an application and a resume.
Tutt’s daily routine included talking with constituents and documenting concerns to pass on to the senator, researching the status of any number of issues and watching Lincoln and others on the Senate floor. She and the other interns would also give tours to constituents visiting the nation’s capitol.
“I’m very sentimental about history,” Tutt said. “It was really hard for me to believe that I was where George Washington had been, where our government was founded and where our laws are made.”
Overall, Tutt said she thinks the internship might have changed her mind about what career path she will pursue upon graduation.
“When I went to Washington, I thought I was going to teach, but I don’t really feel a desire to teach. I think I would rather work with the government, whether that be local, state or federal,” Tutt said. “And I was really impressed with all the people I met in the office who would say they were an intern in such a such year. That really screamed job opportunity. Once you are an intern, they can see how your work ethics are and what your interests are.”
SAU English professor, Dr. Linda Selman, who taught Tutt and now has her as a student worker, called Tutt the most organized person she knows. She said she was glad to give encouragement and added that an internship helped her own daughter, Elizabeth Hurley Burks, get her first job in Washington which has ultimately led to her being Lincoln’s chief of staff.
“She is genuine; she really is just a fine young woman,” Selman said. “She called me from Brookshire’s where she was working last year and said she was accepted. I was happy about it because I knew how much she would benefit. Seeing places she has never seen would expand her horizons. I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of an opportunity. This is one more proof that we live in the land of opportunity and the best country in the world.”
Although the internship peaked her curiosity about changing her career direction, it also verified for Tutt was that she doesn’t think life in the big city is the life she would want to lead for a lifetime.
“I don’t know if I would want to live there. I like the slow place of life, I’m an Arkansan through and through,” Tutt said. “Five weeks of walking everywhere, I was thinking I could use my car and I could use some Wal-Mart.”
Tutt is the daughter of Bill and Brenda Tutt of Camden.
