Kate Mecham
Victorian State National Party
Melbourne, Australia
The last place Kate Mecham thought she would be only a few months after graduating from college was working for the Australian State Parliament, but Kate said the decision to move to Melbourne was “undoubtedly the best thing I have ever done for myself.” Kate landed this position after completing a Hinckley internship for the Victorian State National Party during the summer of 2009, where she worked for MP Peter Ryan, the state Leader of the Nationals. The National Party is currently a minority in a multi-party system and represents small-business owners, farmers, and the rural community. During her internship, she learned the inner workings of a parliamentary system, new campaign and election strategies, and became well-versed in issues affecting local communities around the state. “After three months of hard work and overcoming a considerable learning curve in regards to the political system and interpreting the Aussie lingo, I was offered a job to stay on with the National Party and help with research and policy development for their upcoming election,” Kate said. “After getting over the initial shock of the opportunity that lay ahead, my answer was obvious, no question—I will stay!”
Since becoming a full time researcher, the job has been particularly rewarding. Although Kate said that the daily work can involve many “aggravating” hours searching budget documents and crunching numbers, she has seen her work refined into election policy platforms that will carry the party to the upcoming election. She has also developed knowledge about environmental issues such as renewable energy production and water and land management, which has given her a unique insight into what one of “the hottest, driest countries in the world” is doing to battle drought, bushfires, and electricity shortages. “Upon returning to the US, I have no doubt my experience here and the knowledge I have gained will be useful,” she said.
Becky Webster
Center for American Progress
Washington, D.C.
Becky Webster has spent the last two years working for the progressive Washington, D.C. think tank Center for American Progress, where she completed a Hinckley internship during the summer of 2007 after graduating from the University of Utah. Becky has completed three Hinckley internships, also working for the Utah State Legislature and for Maitri, an Indian NGO which educates women and children about HIV/AIDS, women’s economic empowerment, and human trafficking. “This was one of the most profound, eye-opening experiences I have ever had, to be a part of an entirely different culture and experience the joys and hardships of peoples living in non-Western societies,” she said. “Working there shed new light on my views of both domestic and international governance, and it gave me a taste of the deep complexity each of these entail.”
After returning from India, Becky returned to the nation’s capital to work for the Center for American Progress. CAP, which was co-founded and headed by John Podesta, who was President Clinton’s Chief of Staff at the White House, and more recently the leader of President Obama’s transition team, has established itself in only six years as one of the most influential think tanks in Washington, and as a veritable powerhouse for progressive politics nationwide. Becky was originally hired as Special Assistant, but now works as a project and resource manager for development, mainly supporting the department’s corporate, foundation, and major gifts fundraising efforts.
Becky said she owes much of her success to the Hinckley Institute. “In line with Robert H. Hinckley’s founding vision to “teach students respect for practical politics and the principle of citizen involvement in government,” the HIP has achieved this in numerous ways, by supporting internships at various levels of government, and even sending students abroad, which in turn sheds a new light on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and the responsibilities it entails,” she said. “Without the ongoing support of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, I do not know that I would be so fortunate to have achieved what I have thus far, a fact for which I am very grateful!”
Haley St. Dennis
Scottish National Parliament
Edinburgh, Scotland
After completing a Hinckley internship with the Scottish Parliament in 2007, Haley St. Dennis was given a full-time position with two Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) from the Scottish National Party (SNP) who represent the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, where she works today. Haley took on the internship immediately after graduating from the University of Utah with a business degree. She interned in the Press and Research office of the SNP, the party currently governing in Scotland, researching issues up for debate each week and providing briefs to SNP Members of the Scottish Parliament to help them prepare. Now, in addition to assisting these two MSPs in Parliament, Haley also manages the international internship program for the SNP. She is also preparing for a referendum on Scottish independence from the UK to be held in November 2010, which the SNP is bringing forward. “I love my job and never imagined I could end up working in a place like the Scottish Parliament,” Haley said. “The work I do is hugely varied and rewarding, and I take great pride in being part of the team behind the scenes, working toward an independent Scotland.”
Gregory Altom
Azul Airlines
São Paulo, Brazil
After his three-month Hinckley internship, Greg Altom “took flight” and got a full-time position with Azul Brazilian Airlines in São Paulo, Brazil. Azul started operations with departing flights only three weeks before Greg arrived for his internship, and he was assigned to the marketing department to work with promotions, events, and what is commonly known in Brazil as “guerrilla warfare marketing.” Because Greg had finished the requirements needed to graduate from the University of Utah, he was eager to get a job after his internship. “I knew the experience would enable me to better pursue my future endeavors,” Greg said. “Azul Airlines provided me with an excellent opportunity to work alongside business professionals like David Neeleman, who already successfully founded Jet Blue Airlines.”
During his internship, Greg traveled between cities in every corner of Brazil to promote the airline and lay the groundwork for marketing operations in each new city. Some of the most effective marketing tactics were selling raffles in dance clubs, malls, universities, and restaurants, distributing flyers throughout each city, recruiting promoters and beginning business partnerships. When his internship was drawing to a close, Greg said he gathered the courage to sit down with the president, Pedro Janot, and the Human Resources director of the company and expressed his desire to continue working for Azul indefinitely. “I explained my commitment, dedication, and loyalty to the company that I watched evolve to a successful organization,” he said. “Surprised by my confession, Azul offered me a job as a marketing analyst/coordinator.” In his current position, he runs the events, promotions, guerilla projects, and creates Azul presidency presentations and seminars.
Greg credits the Hinckley Institute of Politics for facilitating the great opportunities he is having in Brazil, and he is excited to spend the next two years working for Azul. “I am honestly grateful for the opportunity and experiences the Hinckley Institute of Politics has provided to live abroad and work for such an incredible company in a quickly progressing country,” he said. “The creation of Azul is a significant part in Brazilian history and I was fortunate to be a part of that experience.”
Brady Nord
Emily Bennett
Eduardo Reyes
Stanley Lloyd
Jeremy Ryan
Lois Morrell says: 
Greg 
