For Andrew Bates, the path to the Oklahoma State Capitol didn’t start with a formal internship program or a carefully mapped-out plan. It started with a question, a few conversations and the willingness to send an email.

Bates, an enterprise development student at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, is spending his semester interning with state Sen. Julia Kirt, gaining firsthand experience in the fast-paced world of public policy. His work includes tracking legislation, conducting bill research and supporting the day-to-day operations of a legislative office.

While his responsibilities may sound routine, the experience has been anything but.

“I’m really learning how the machinery actually works,” Bates said. “I’ve had ideas about how things should be, but understanding how that process actually works and how decisions get made is something I was missing.”

Bates’ journey to the Capitol reflects a broader story shared by many nontraditional students. After exploring different career paths, he returned to school with a renewed focus and a growing interest in law and public service. OSU-OKC’s enterprise development program gave him the flexibility to shape his coursework around those goals while also providing access to faculty who could help guide his next steps.

That access proved critical.

Without a formal internship pipeline, Bates leaned on relationships he built with his professors. Conversations with faculty, including those with professional experience in law and public service, helped him understand where to start. Their advice was simple: get involved and reach out.

So he did.

After emailing a handful of legislators, Bates found his opportunity. One response led to another and eventually opened the door to his current role at the Capitol.

“It really is about leveraging the staff and their experience and their connections,” Bates said. “They’ve been there. They can point you in the right direction.”

Now working in the middle of a busy legislative session, Bates is gaining more than just professional experience. He is developing a clearer understanding of where he fits within the field of public policy and law. With interests in civil rights and public service, he sees the internship as an opportunity to explore different career paths while laying the foundation for the future.

At the same time, he is focused on encouraging others to take similar steps.

“Put yourself out there and make the effort to connect,” Bates said. “Even if you’re not sure you want to intern, reach out and talk to your legislators. They always need help, especially during session.”

Beyond his work at the Capitol, Bates is also working to increase civic engagement among his peers. He is starting a student organization to help others better understand the legislative process and the issues shaping their communities.

From education policy to student financial aid, he believes many decisions made at the Capitol directly impact students, even if they are not always aware of it.

“There are so many things on the table that most students don’t even know about,” Bates said. “My goal is to get people involved, to help them understand what’s happening and find what matters to them.”

Bates credits OSU-OKC for creating an environment where that kind of exploration is possible. Small class sizes and accessible faculty have allowed him to build meaningful connections and receive guidance tailored to his goals.

“The main thing that stands out is how invested the faculty are in my success,” he said. “Every professor I’ve had has been willing to help, answer questions or connect me with someone who can.”

As he continues his internship and refines his career direction, Bates remains focused on learning, growing and staying engaged. While he may not yet know exactly where his path will lead, he is confident in the direction he is heading and in the role his generation will play in shaping the future.

“The people I interact with, both at school and here, understand that public service is about serving others,” Bates said. “That gives me a lot of confidence in what’s ahead.”