Up on the hill

By S. Kim Henson  

DECEMBER 3, 2010 3:43 p.m. (0)

Furman student Brian Highsmith moved to Washington, D.C., the day after his May graduation to intern on Capitol Hill.

He worked first with the House Budget Committee and then in the office of its chairman, Rep. John Spratt, a Democrat of South Carolina.

When the White House Internship Program announced its fall session selections, Highsmith was among them. The program is designed to mentor and develop young leaders and to broaden their exposure to public service.

Finishing magna cum laude with a degree in political science and economics, the graduate from Columbia was assigned to work in the National Economic Council at the White House Sept. 7 through Dec. 17.

He works directly with the staff and closely with interns in that department to coordinate the president’s economic policy agenda. Highsmith meets with interns from other departments during a weekly service project and also for activities organized by the White House Internship Program.

“My position is analogous to a research assistant: I support the work of my supervisors by researching fiscal policy, analyzing budgetary and economic data, and other assignments,” Highsmith said.

While in Washington Highsmith is living with his parents and receives no additional funding from non-profit or educational organizations for his expenses.

“My mom is a chaplain in the Army. Fortunately for me, she is currently stationed at Fort Belvior, in Springfield, Virginia, just outside of D.C.,” he said.

The 14-week internship, an unpaid, fulltime position, begins with high academic and leadership expectations.

General requirements include being a U.S. citizen, at least 18 and enrolled or recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program or a military veteran.

Selection is based on a commitment to public service, demonstration of community leadership and a dedication to the mission of the Executive Office.

The application period for the spring 2011 program has closed; however, applicants have until Jan. 9, 2011 to apply for a summer 2011 internship.

Highsmith was elected to the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. He was presented the J. Carlyle Ellett Economics Prize for the most outstanding senior economics major and the Political Science Chair’s Award for academic achievement. For leadership, scholarship and service to the university, he received the Alfred P. Reid Memorial Award.

The idea to apply for the internship came when Highsmith was in Washington with a Furman program during the spring of 2009. He also had a friend, Maryanne Henderson, from Furman’s 2008 graduating class who interned this past spring.

Highsmith said Furman and the White House do an “incredible job” preparing students/interns for the opportunities to work in public service. Throughout the internship he said the highlight has been to witness firsthand the President and his administration working tirelessly to create jobs and promote economic growth.

Following the internship, Highsmith hopes to stay in Washington for several years before attending graduate school. He is preparing to work in a position to continue learning about economic policy, possibly a think tank or other government position.

He said, “Then I plan to attend graduate school, and ultimately to pursue a career in public service. My intention to do so has certainly been confirmed by this experience.”