UA Little Rock Student Gains Hands-On Government Experience Through Congressional Internship
Braden Carr, a sophomore at UA Little Rock, is making strides toward a future in government and public policy through hands-on experience in a congressional internship and campaign volunteering.
A double major in political science and criminal justice, Carr spent much of 2024 working with U.S. Rep. French Hill’s, R-Little Rock, office, gaining valuable insight into the legislative process and the intricacies of politics.
A native of Paragould and a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, Carr secured a summer 2024 internship with Congressman Hill’s district office in Little Rock, where he worked directly with constituents. His responsibilities included taking phone calls from constituents with case work matters involving federal agencies or legislative concerns. He also assisted staff members with a variety of projects.
“I got to see how government officials interact with their constituents and that they truly care about what people have to say,” Carr said. “This experience showed me that there are people genuinely working every day to help others.”
Following his summer internship, Carr continued his involvement by volunteering for Hill’s campaign during the fall semester. He participated in campaign events such as the Salt Bowl, knocked on doors, and distributed information about the congressman and other candidates. This firsthand experience volunteering on a campaign deepened his appreciation for democracy and for the hard work and strategy required to win public office.
“I’ve always been interested in elections, and this experience made me love them even more,” he said. “It was eye-opening to see the time and effort people put into winning an election.”
Looking ahead, Carr plans to continue building on his political experience. He will be studying abroad at the University of Stirling in Scotland for the second half of the summer, where he will study international relations and the Scottish criminal justice system.
Carr, who plans to graduate in 2027, envisions a future working in policy or legislative affairs. He credits his internship and volunteer experiences and the support from UA Little Rock’s Donaghey Scholars Honors Program and the School of Public Affairs for helping shape his career aspirations.