Liberal Arts student explores government career through summer, fall internships

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jaylen Davis, a Penn State student double majoring in economics and political science in the College of the Liberal Arts, spent his summer working in the office of Pennsylvania State Sen. Tim Kearney, gaining firsthand experience in government and serving communities in his hometown of Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.

As a legislative and constituent services intern, Davis researched legislation, drafted policy memoranda and constituent correspondence, and collaborated with legislative staff. He also participated in community outreach, connecting residents with available resources and listening to their concerns.

Enrichment funding from the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network allowed Davis to focus on gaining professional experience without the added financial burden.

“Through this internship, I got to help people and communities whose needs aren’t always visible,” Davis said. “Going to underprivileged areas has made me more grateful of what I had growing up. Now I get to give back to those who live in the same county as myself.”

Davis learned about the internship through Assistant Teaching Professor of Political Science Justin Crofoot, who routinely shares internship and extracurricular activities with students in his courses.

Davis' interest in government and public policy reflects the connection he sees between his two majors and his desire to understand how decisions affect communities, he said.

“I’ve always liked the analytical side of things,” Davis said. “There is a formula for everything, even for the structure of society. I like being able to understand the way society is shaped and have answers on how to change and influence it.”

Beyond his internship, Davis has explored his interests in law, economics and business through several campus organizations. He serves as president of Penn State’s chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon and is a member of Kappa Alpha Pi, a pre-law fraternity, where he said he has gained professional development opportunities and insight into potential legal careers.

Davis said he has also pursued his interest in stocks and investing through the Happy Valley Venture Capital initiative, connecting with alumni and local entrepreneurs while gaining exposure to start-up investing and venture capital.

Through Nittany Lion Consulting Group’s consultant training program, he said, he developed consulting skills and learned strategies for interviewing and preparing for his future career.

This fall, Davis is continuing to explore a career in public service as a legislative intern in Sen. John Fetterman’s office in Washington, D.C. He is part of the College of the Liberal Arts Semester in Washington Program housed in Penn State’s Department of Political Science. After graduation, he said, he plans to attend law school, with the long-term goal of working on anti-trust and economic policy matters.

Looking back on his summer internship, Davis said the experience gave him a clearer understanding of the opportunities available in government and the steps he can take towards his goals.

“It served as an access point to understanding the steps needed to get there and what a career in government could look like,” Davis said. “Seeing how much this office has helped people and make such a good change made me feel very good about the route I’m going down.”