Legislative Internship Program: Jeffery Condry

Jeffery Condry 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. 

Jeffery was as a visiting student at NC State during the internship program. He graduated from UNC Asheville in 2020 with a major in political science and a minor in history. Jeffery is currently a legislative assistant for North Carolina Senator Jim Burgin and an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Why did you want to be a legislative intern?

The first time I walked into the North Carolina Senate Chamber and around the halls of the General Assembly was when I was a Senate Page. It was then that I knew I wanted to return to the North Carolina General Assembly in a different capacity. I wanted to work there full time and help make a difference working in a legislative office.

What was the most valuable part of this internship program for you?

The most valuable part of my internship was the relationships I made with some of the Senators and staff members. The legislative assistant I worked for while assigned to Senator Ralph Hise’s office, Susan Fanning, became, and still is, one of my mentors. Because of the people I knew and the relationships I made, I was recommended for a legislative assistant position in Senator Jim Burgin’s office.

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

I absolutely loved that the cohort was made up from students across the state. I was one that came from a different university. Without that aspect, I would not have been able to participate. Some of us keep in touch and we follow each other on social media.

What is a typical day like and what do you enjoy about your current position?

A typical day has me coming into the office around 9 o’clock. I answer calls, work through email, organize and research legislation for Senator Burgin, assist constitutes and manage his office. I love that every day is a new day. You never know what call you will find yourself on, who you may meet, or what project you may find yourself working on. However, everything you do serves a purpose and is important.

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

The internship through NC State prepared me to really understand the General Assembly and its functions. I started my current job already knowing who to talk to, who to contact, where I could find people and offices. The mentorship I still have with my intern supervisor is also very important. However, my course of study at UNCA in political science really prepared me for understanding institutional systems—how they operate, how they associate with other institutions—and provided a good base of knowledge in how to approach political work.

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

My number one piece of advice is to just apply. When I applied, I thought it would be a shot in the dark and I never hear anything. Next thing I knew I got an interview and was ultimately selected. This internship will also carry weight when applying for other internships. As a direct result of having this legislative internship on my resume, I was selected, a year later, to participate in the White House Internship Program.