"Although my main interest was in higher education policy, I wanted to work on a variety of issues during my fellowship year. I chose to work in a Senator’s office rather than for a policy committee because I thought this would expose me to a wider range of subjects. For me, it was the right choice. As a Senator’s staff person, I was involved in the state budget process and attended many budget committee hearings. I represented my Senator at meetings and public events, participated in a key research project, and was given responsibility for drafting two bills on higher education. The highlight of my year in the Capitol was the work I did on two higher education issues: reform of the community college system and the UC admissions policy. The UC admissions issue led to the formation of a special Senate committee to examine how the University of California sets admission policy. The fellowship is real on-the-job training. The relationship between policy and politics is fascinating to me. "

~ Dean Florez, Former California State Senator
Senate Fellow 1987-1988

"I was treated as a regular staff member with full responsibility for education, child protection and natural resources legislation. I wrote speeches and bill statements; I reviewed all bills that came through the Natural Resources & Wildlife Committee, recommending questions the Senator should raise. I also met with lobbyists, school groups and constituents."

~Kristin Olsen, California State Assembly Member
Senate Fellow 1996-97

"The intersection of politics and policy is fascinating. I have learned how different interests untie to achieve specific policy outcomes. Crafting public policy is largely about listening, absorbing complicated information, thinking quickly but thoroughly and charting a course that bridges diverging interests to make good things happen."

~ Ana Matosantos, Director of the California Department of Finance
Senate Fellow 1999-2000

	Capitol Fellows Video		Day in the Life		Year in the Life