As members of the Nebraska Wesleyan University Men’s Soccer team, Zach Weis (’25) and Chance Hergott (’25) have spent hours on the pitch. This semester they traded cleats and uniforms for suits and ties as interns in our nation’s capital.
“It’s been hard to wrap my head around the fact that I’m working the in the United States Capitol,” Hergott says. “People told me that you see the legislative news on TV, and now I’m there getting to make the news.”
Weis and Hergott are among a group of Nebraska Wesleyan University students who earn college credits through the Capitol Hill Internship Program. One of the requirements of the program is landing a job or internship.
Hergott is pursuing a business major with minors in economics and finance and didn’t anticipate that his internship would be immersed in politics.
He says his experience in Nebraska Congressman Mike Flood’s office came full circle when he witnessed the intricacies of politics and policy. “I didn’t believe it until my second day when I sat in the gallery of the chamber and watched the proceedings on the House floor. It was hard to wrap my head around that.”
Weis has an internship with a criminal defense firm and spends his time reviewing body camera footage, drafting legal documents and attending court.
“It’s an awesome experience. I went in with one of the attorneys, and they called roll for people who needed attorneys. Lawyers were assigned different clients, quickly met them, entered a plea deal,” Weis says. “It was very unique to witness the prosecutor and defense working together to find something that worked for both sides.”
Weis is double majoring is philosophy and religion and political science while minoring in criminal justice. He plans to apply to law school next year.