ESU student to intern in Rep. Moran’s Capitol office

Derrek Zietz went to Washington, D.C. last spring to talk to the Kansas Congressional delegation about a federal program aimed at first-generation college students. Next week, the Emporia State University senior will be back in the nation’s capital, but for a lengthier stay.

Zietz received word last week that he had been selected as one of two interns to serve in the office of Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS) for the fall semester. Interns assist with constituent requests, give Capitol tours and do other tasks important to the operation of the office.

“It was speaking in Washington that got me interested in the internship possibility,” said Zietz, a Cedar Point native and 2007 graduate of Chase County High School. Zietz has participated in ESU’s Upward Bound and Talent Search programs, both of which target students from families with no previous college experience.

“I got to know the campus through the TRIO programs, and took six hours of summer school here before the first fall semester,” said Zietz. “That helped me adjust to college.”

Zietz will making another adjustment soon. He starts work in Moran’s office Monday, Aug. 10. Between now and then, he’ll be finding a place to live and moving. Congressional interns receive a monthly stipend to help cover living expenses.

Interns also have the opportunity to learn more about issues that are of special interest to them, and for Zietz, that issue is communication patterns. A communication major at Emporia State, Zietz said he wants to study how people communicate verbally and non-verbally, specifically in the House of Representatives. “I’ll be getting college credit for the internship here at ESU, so I want to do some undergraduate thesis work,” said Zietz.

Last Updated November 3, 2009>