WASHINGTON — July 26, 2013 — A handful of 51社区 graduates each year make their way from West Tennessee to Washington, D.C., often to pursue careers in politics and the media.
Karl Magnuson, Union鈥檚 2011 Student Government Association president, walked the wide corridors of the U.S. Capitol Building as an intern for Mitch McConnell鈥檚 office, after working on Mitt Romney鈥檚 presidential campaign. McConnell is the Senate minority leader.
鈥淵ou get to see a lot of incredible stuff,鈥� Magnuson said, looking up at the Capitol dome while giving a tour on his second-to-last day in Washington this spring. 鈥淭here really is no room in the entire country like this room.鈥�
Walking backwards to face his tour group, Magnuson rattled off facts about the history-rich building, naming the last justices who sat in the old Supreme Court room in the Capitol and telling the histories of many of the statues of famous Americans that stand around every corner.
As an intern, Magnuson worked under one of his friends from Union, Katie (Mohler) Barnes, who graduated in 2011 with a degree in history.
鈥淜atie probably has the third best view in Washington,鈥� Magnuson said.
A tall window that sheds light on her desk is the same window through which Thomas Jefferson waved to people standing outside in 1800 as their new president. Men had stood in Barnes鈥� office to cast the tie-breaking vote which secured Jefferson鈥檚 win over Aaron Burr.
鈥淚t never gets old to walk into this building as the office,鈥� Barnes said.
As director of arrangements in McConnell鈥檚 leadership office, Barnes鈥� desk sits in the room adjacent to McConnell鈥檚. She provides member outreach from the senator鈥檚 office and serves as the 鈥済atekeeper鈥� to McConnell, welcoming some of the world鈥檚 most powerful men and women as they met with him.
Barnes said even more than her job, she has appreciated the Capitol Hill Baptist Church, the church where she and her husband attend.
鈥淧eople can get so Hill-centric,鈥� Barnes said. 鈥淎 solid church community is the greatest blessing.鈥�
While Barnes manages visitors to the senator, 2012 Union alumnus Alex Brown spends many of his days interviewing members of Congress.
Brown, who served as the editor-in-chief of Union鈥檚 student newspaper, the Cardinal & Cream, now reports on Midwest political races for the National Journal Hotline, a publication for Washington political insiders.
His assignments keep him on his toes, meaning some days with long hours at the job, Brown said. But he doesn鈥檛 mind; he thrives on the action around him.
The city is an excellent place for young professionals, Brown said, because they fill many of the journalism, law and government staff positions in D.C.
鈥淭his city is run by young people,鈥� Brown said.