Katherine Garcia is a junior double majoring in Latina/Latino studies and political science with a minor in business. During the summer of 2026, she interned in three Illinois legislative offices as part of the NextGen Scholars for Change Public Service Internship program. Learn more about her experience in her blog post below.
This summer, I participated in the NextGen Scholars for Change Public Service Internship Program, where I had the unique opportunity to intern in three Illinois legislative offices: State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, State Senator Mike Porfirio, and State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid. The program provides students with hands-on experience in public service while developing the skills needed to become future civic leaders.
As part of the program, I also completed a Persuasive Writing course through the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, earning a credential in persuasive writing. My research project focused on preventing youth gun violence through community investment and early intervention, with an emphasis on addressing the conditions that contribute to violence before it happens.
What made this experience so unique was that I was not limited to one perspective of state government. I spent my summer working across three legislative offices, two State Senate offices and one House of Representatives office, while simultaneously completing my policy research and coursework. This allowed me to see firsthand how different legislative offices operate and how elected officials approach both policymaking and constituent service.
Each week, I helped approximately 100 constituents with their questions and concerns, including assisting with translation when language barriers arose. At the same time, I developed and presented my youth gun violence prevention proposal to Illinois elected officials. I advocated for increased funding for community-based violence prevention programs and pushed for the RIFL Act, connecting my research to policies that could create meaningful investment in communities.
I also met directly with organizations including Increase the Peace and the RIFL Coalition and attended the Legislative Conference for Safer Communities, where I heard from state legislators from across the country about their approaches to preventing gun violence. Being able to move between constituent service, legislative offices, community organizations, elected officials, and policy research made this experience feel much bigger than a traditional internship. I was learning how the government works from almost every angle at once.
This experience changed the way I understand public service. I learned that good policy cannot exist separately from the people it is supposed to serve. Working directly with constituents while also researching and advocating for policy showed me the importance of listening first and then finding ways to turn those experiences into meaningful action.
I also became much more confident in my ability to speak about issues I care about and defend my ideas in rooms with elected officials and experienced advocates. Earning my persuasive writing credential reinforced that growth by teaching me how to take something I care deeply about and communicate it in a way that can move people toward action.
Most importantly, I left the summer knowing that I belong in these spaces. I do not have to wait until I am a lawyer or policymaker to contribute to important conversations.
I plan to remain a proud NextGen Scholar and carry this experience forward by encouraging other first-generation students interested in public service to pursue opportunities like this one. I especially hope to share what I learned with students who may not yet see themselves represented in government or believe that they have a place in these spaces.
This upcoming academic year, I will serve as a Social Justice Leadership Intern at the Center for Civic Education & Justice. I am excited to continue building on the public service experience I gained this summer while further exploring civic engagement, social justice, and community leadership.
by Katherine Garcia