Trent Gale, a Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) junior, is an intern for U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran for Texas’ 1st Congressional District. He is spending his summer learning about the nation’s democratic process by interacting with legislatures, lobbyists, and constituents. Halfway through his internship, Gale combined the knowledge gained from PBA with love for his East Texas home to make the most of his time in Washington, D.C.
From Class to the Capitol
Rep. Moran serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, the oldest tax-writing body in the country. The Constitution authorizes the committee to direct all revenue legislation. Gale is learning about the economics surrounding taxes, tariffs, Medicare, and Social Security to write detailed memos from meetings for Moran and his team.
Gale, an international business major with a minor in economics in the Rinker College of Business, says the insights he has gleaned from classes have helped him navigate the financial aspects of legislation.
“Because of my classes, I’m able to ask challenging questions to special interest groups about their reinvestment plans for America,” says Gale.
Effective Communication on Campus and Beyond
Gale has also been able to grow in his understanding of the legislative system. He has attended meetings where he is less familiar with special interest groups’ causes, including those on AI regulation, relations with China, and even a push for higher safety standards in horse racing.
After attending these meetings, Gale went to what Moran’s team calls “Trent’s Office,” a room in the Longworth Building on Capitol Hill, to type up his notes for the congressman. The space is cozy and quiet, and reminded Gale of PBA’s Warren Library as he works on what has become his favorite—and most challenging—part of the job.
His best advice for future interns on Capitol Hill? Work on their writing skills. A large part of his success this summer is because of the lessons Prof. David Athey taught him in Writing About Literature in the Frederick M. Supper Honors Program.
“You may not think as an intern it’s important,” Gale says. “Your writing may be directly reviewed by the representative you’re working for, or even used in future legislation.”
Another PBA professor whose advice has come in handy this summer is the Honors Program Director, Dr. Thomas St. Antoine. Gale applied St. Antoine’s advice on active listening and engaging with speakers from his Rhetorical Eloquence class to his interactions at the Capitol.
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
When he returns to PBA, Gale hopes to share the importance of civics with his peers. He says the news paints a deeply divided picture of politics that tends to breed apathy among young people. However, Gale would like to show people how government can be more nuanced as people from different backgrounds come together for their constituents.
“Not caring about or ignoring the government isn’t an answer,” Gale says. “Getting involved with your representatives, though, is a way to make your voice heard.”
In the future, Gale plans to return to Washington, D.C. and work for the State Department. He hopes to apply his international business degree and the lessons he has learned about representing local communities to support policy on a global scale.
To learn more about PBA’s International Business program, click here.
