NeW is proud to highlight the great internship opportunities NeW women are experiencing in the workplace. Meet Peyton Smith, President of NeW at Seton Hall University and a campaign intern for Kathy Barnette, who is running for the United States Senate in Pennsylvania. Learn more about her internship:
Why did you apply for this internship?
I applied for this internship because I believe Barnette can make the changes our country needs if elected to office. After hearing her speak in her launch video when she first announced her candidacy, I knew I had to be a part of her campaign.
What does your day look like in your internship?
Normally, I am just running her Instagram account (@kathybarnetteforsenate). I take her social media posts from other platforms and upload them during peak times on Instagram to receive the most amount of engagement. Then, I spend time promoting the post to her stories, responding to comments and direct messages, and updating her highlight reels. I have also gone on a few trips across Pennsylvania with Barnette to work as or with her personal assistant. I help her team with whatever they need, make sure we are on schedule, and do everything else a personal assistant does. (Modafinil)
What has been your favorite part of the internship so far?
So far, my favorite part of the internship was taking a road trip across the state to Pittsburgh for the Allegheny County Republican Committee’s Lincoln Day Dinner. Throughout the trip, I met some amazing people, had the best conversations, and got to listen to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speak. I learned so much about the campaign process, which was extremely beneficial.
How does this internship help set you up for your career dreams?
Learning so much about the campaign process has really helped solidify what I want to do in the future when it comes to politics. I have learned so much from different conversations about policy, fundraising, event planning, and the many other aspects that go into a campaign. With this knowledge, I feel more equipped to make the right career choices for myself.
How has your experience with NeW prepared you for this role?
Since starting a NeW chapter on my very liberal campus, I have become more confident in standing up for my beliefs. I realized how many other amazing women there are within this network who share those beliefs with me. That first step in becoming confident in my own values led me to want to become more involved with politics and join Kathy Barnette’s campaign.
Any advice for other women who are looking for an internship?
My advice for other women looking for internships is to have the confidence to stand up for what you believe is right and just go for it. There are going to be boundless people who support you despite whether they agree with your views or not. Apply for something, even if you aren’t sure if you’ll get the position. You never know what will happen.
