Intern extraordinaire
By his own admission Chris Rieser likes to participate in many different activities.
That's evident by his dual majors in psychology and political science. Or by his study abroad trip to Greece, which he calls his "most incredible experience at Iowa State."
But it's the many internships that Chris has participated in that gives you a better indication of his diverse interests. At Iowa State, Chris has interned during a summer with Iowa senior senator Chuck Grassley. He spent a few weeks with a Washington, D.C. national lobbying firm that specializes in health care issues. And he worked with the World Food Prize in Des Moines.
"I'm interested in public policy," Chris says. "But I also really enjoy psychology and want to find a way to integrate that into my career in public policy."
On the hill
As a legislative intern for Senator Grassley, Chris helped track legislation reform. He conducted strategic political research and drafted letters for the Senator on a Brazilian import issue.
"The atmosphere on Capital Hill was fantastic," Chris said. "I couldn't get that type of experience anywhere else.
"It's very fast-paced," he continued. "I was able to work with issues and senators and congressmen who are making the policies affecting those issues."
Immediately following his internship with Grassley's office, Chris went to work with a lobbying firm in the nation's capital. He took this internship to learn a different aspect of the political system.
He also wanted to gain some additional experience for his role as the director of the ISU Ambassadors, a group of students who lobby state legislators on behalf of the University.
"The internship has helped me tremendously in that regard," Chris says. "Although I saw that we were doing things right, I learned some new tricks – different ways to write letters and discuss issues with our representatives."
Helping feed the world
In his internship with the Des Moines-based World Food Prize, Chris researched world agricultural issues, assisted in the production of promotional materials and helped with event planning.
His work so impressed the not-for-profit organization that they invited him back to help plan and organize their annual international dinner.
"There was a real sense of accomplishment with my internship with the World Food Prize," Chris says. "You're working for an honorable cause and promoting research that will help feed the world."
| 
