Central Oregonian

Former CCHS grad to intern with Representative McLane

Jorden Noyes will be splitting time between classes and the State Capitol this spring

RAMONA MCCALLISTER/CENTRAL OREGONIAN

Jorden Noyes

Ramona McCallister

January 03, 2013

An internship at the Oregon State Legislature is rare, and Willamette University sophomore Jorden Noyes recently was given such a chance and seized it with fervor.

Rounding out his recent college career, the former Crook County High school graduate will be given the opportunity to sit on the floor of the House of Representatives next to a house representative during sessions. Noyes is also involved in athletics at Willamette University, and played three games as a defensive lineman in 2011. In 2012, he was on the Willamette Club Rugby team and is currently on the rugby and football rosters for the university.

Noyes is working on his Liberal Arts degree while majoring in economics. He said that the internship will provide a politics credit, which goes towards his major. He is interested in possibly getting involved in politics, but is also interested in economics.

“I am just trying to keep my options open,” Noyes commented.

The campus is across the street from the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, and he approached Oregon Representative Mike McLane (R-Ore.) about the possibility of doing a winter-term internship.

“We’re in a prime position to be able to do stuff like that,” he said of the internship opportunity. “I asked him if he took any interns.”

McLane said he had a handful of interns during the 2011 legislative session, and had an intern in 2012 during the short session.

“As a college intern, he will be working with the professional staff to primarily answer constituent communications,” commented McLane. “If they are interested in a bill, he will track down the bill and find out what committee it has been assigned to and help the constituent know how to comment on the bill and know when the hearings are.”

Noyes will also do various research assignments that may come up as well. He will follow McLane to meetings to make observations. He will have the privilege of sitting next to McLane at the House of Representatives on the floor during some of the sessions.

“There will be some sessions where he will sit by me and observe what is going on,” noted McLane. “I think it is a good opportunity — especially given his proximity — to observe from the inside how the Oregon Legislature operates. He will have an opportunity to see first-hand how legislation begins and is changed, and eventually is passed or rejected.”

The new adventure begins in January, and according to Noyes, will continue until May 2013. He was able to schedule his classes to accommodate the internship, and is required to commit three hours per week, although Noyes said he will be putting in as much time as possible. He is also working with his coaches, since he also plays rugby and spring football.

“I got to select all my classes during the first round of selections for this semester,” he added.

Noyes is hoping to get a new understanding of how things work in the Oregon State Legislature, and how that translates into an understanding of the workings of the United States Congress.

“It kind expands everything I do know, and (will help me) understand the inner workings and get more of a first-hand experience with the political system, rather than a hearsay thing,” indicated Noyes. “That’s the best way to experience it.”

He noted that he really likes the amount of ideas he is able to share from other students, and finding out what other people think at his campus.

“That is definitely a good thing, just having the ability to see what other people think and getting to know people from different places,” said Noyes.

As for his future studies, Noyes commented that he is waiting to make a decision on his Master’s Degree. If he chooses economics, he wants to go into corporate finance or banking. However, he may still choose politics.