Legislative Internship Program: Taylor Norton

Taylor Norton was one of only 12 students selected to participate in the 2019 Legislative Internship Program at the North Carolina General Assembly. Now in its 26th session, the program is administered by and includes classes from NC State’s Department of Political Science. The program is open to students from all North Carolina colleges and universities.

Taylor graduated from NC State in 2020 with a degree in political science and a minor in ethics. She is a Lead for North Carolina (LFNC) Fellow with the UNC School of Government and
works for the Mid-East Commission in Washington, NC, in the Planning and Economic Development Department.

Why did you want to be a legislative intern and what was the most valuable part of the program for you?

I knew that the experience would be the greatest hands on learning experience that I would have during my college career. I wanted to see how the laws that affect the citizens of North Carolina were actually made, instead of simply looking at a flowchart in a textbook. The most valuable part of my internship were the connections that I made, not only with my fellow interns, but also with the representative I worked for, his legislative assistant, and many other people who work to keep the General Assembly running smoothly.

Each legislative intern cohort consists of students from schools all over the state. Did you like that aspect of the program?

I loved that the cohort came from universities all over the state! I think it is one of the greatest aspects of the program; having the diversity of opinions and of people is what made this process so educational. The classes we took along with our internships were more discussion based, rather than lectures, and getting to hear everyone’s opinions and different experiences was incredibly beneficial. My cohort has stayed connected professionally. A few have become some of the best friends I made in college and are people that I will stay connected with for the rest of my life.

What is a typical day like in your current position?

I am currently working on multiple projects with local towns and counties editing their ordinances for the General Statute 160D update on zoning. I work to rewrite the process, insure that the ordinance aligns with the requirements set forth by the General Assembly, and then present it to the governing board for questions, adoption and any additional edits that may be required.

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

I enjoy the work itself and the opportunity to have a positive impact on local governments. The ability to write governing statutes is not an opportunity that many recent college graduates have, so I am incredibly grateful for this fellowship.

How did this internship and your degree program at NC State prepare you for your current position?

The internship experience was a great asset for the work I do now. I learned how to read and understand legislation, as well as to write in a way that abides by governance guidelines which contributes to the success of my current project. The Legislative Internship Program also taught me how to professional address a council which has been very helpful.

Do you have any advice for current students who are considering applying for this internship program?

This program is full of opportunity—meet as many people as possible, make valuable connections with your fellow interns and the people you work with, and enjoy this amazing experience. It will be a time that you look back on and appreciate everyone you met and what you learned.