Many people may not know that the School of Education and Human Services offers an Education minor that can be paired with other degrees offered at BJU. Read about how senior Political Science major Hudson Knight was able to take advantage of his education connections to complete an internship with the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS) in Washington, D.C. this summer.
My name is Hudson Knight, and I am from Clayton, North Carolina. I heard about Bob Jones University through my family and committed to going there after I graduated from high school. My degree will be in Political Science with a minor in Education. This past summer, I had the privilege of interning for the American Association of Christian Schools in Washington, DC.
I first got connected with AACS through my practicum teacher at Bob Jones Academy, Mrs. Gail Nicholas. Mrs. Nicholas recommended me for this internship, and I got accepted into it shortly after that. The internship lasted eight weeks during the summer and was a typical nine-to-six job. Although each day was a little different, I mostly attended off-the-record meetings around DC with different organizations and Congress throughout the surrounding areas. I met several senators, congressmen, and White House staff members while I was interning at our nation’s capital, and it was interesting to hear their stories and how they got their positions.
Some highlights from my summer included attending the celebration of the 4th of July in DC, going on a dome tour of the Capitol building, including a visit to the Speaker of the House’s office, and being able to meet so many reputable public servants. For example, I was able to be involved in a phone call concerning religious liberties with President Trump. He was addressing the importance religion has in the American school system and even in our culture and society. This was especially eye-opening for me because the President took time to address such a controversial topic in the United States today.
One thing that I learned this summer is that the world of politics in Washington, D.C. is way more corrupt than I previously thought. However, in the dark, there can be light, and there are many Christians today in DC who strive to continue to live for God and His kingdom while still working for our government and pursuing policies that promote Christian morality. After I graduate from BJU, I plan to go into politics. Whether that is running for office, working for a courthouse, or even a non-profit organization, I know that wherever I am at God has made it clear to me that He still wants me to pursue a ministry in politics.
Because of BJU, I was able to get connected with the right people who recommended me for an internship that I didn’t, at the time, know I needed, but I am so glad I did. Having a minor in education has broadened my understanding that education is not just for the classroom, but it is about making connections with the hearts and minds of people and pursuing lifelong learning. The advice I would give for those who have an interest in politics and want to intern in our nation’s capital, is that in politics, Christians have a far greater reach and influence on the political world as we know it.
