Furman mentors, experiences lead alumna to Capitol Hill internship

Riding in a van in the New Mexico desert at the end of her college career ultimately led Scotty Bryan ’23 to Capitol Hill and her new job as a congressional intern for U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. of Georgia.

After graduating in Spring 2023, Bryan had gone out west with the May Experience class “Indian Country: Indigenous Culture and Religion in the Southwest” led by Danielle Vinson ’89, a professor of politics and international affairs, and Helen Lee Turner, a professor of religion. It was “an incredible experience,” said Bryan, an English major.

In the van during the trip, Bryan talked with Turner about her job application process and career goals. After the trip, Turner let the recent graduate know about an opening with the Baptist Joint Committee, a D.C.-based nonprofit that advocates for religious liberty and the separation of church and state.

“I had not seriously considered D.C. or a position in a political area, but I decided to apply,” Bryan said. “I got the internship and accepted it. I cannot thank Dr. Turner enough for informing me of this opportunity and expanding my view of where I saw myself after college.”

In the nation’s capital, she expanded her professional network and enjoyed the legislative research and policy issues her internship exposed her to. She realized she wanted to intern on Capitol Hill and do more legislative work. With family ties in Georgia, Bryan was familiar with Bishop, who has represented the state’s 2nd congressional district since 1993.

“Being on the Hill often feels like an extension of the politics classes that I enjoyed at Furman,” said Bryan, who began working for Bishop in January 2024. “I love diving into policy issues and writing memos for the staff, as well as attending hearings and markups for legislation.”

The internship has also given her a close-up view of the real-world impact of the work done in the House of Representatives. Seeing how grants and investments in energy efficiency or child development are improving lives in the rural communities in Bishop’s district “motivates my work on the Hill,” she said.

Bryan often feels empowered to tackle difficult projects on Capitol Hill by remembering her English senior seminar with Jeanne Provost, an associate professor of English, and her thesis advisor, Professor Willard Pate, “the most challenging academic experience I have had,” she said. “I am grateful to Dr. Pate for encouraging me to be resilient.”

Another key mentor was Margaret Oakes, a professor of English who also has a law degree and a doctorate, and Bryan’s advisor.

“She helped me feel confident in entering the workforce,” Bryan said. “The first cover letter I ever wrote was in her class, and I have written many more since. Every time I walked into Dr. Oakes’ office, I always left with a renewed sense of purpose. I chose the English major solely because of my appreciation for literature, but she showed me that the skills I gained from studying English were professional assets.”

Outside the classroom, Bryan’s time as editor of The Paladin student newspaper has carried over into her professional life as well. “Student journalism ingrained in me the instinct to seek out every angle of a story,” she said, “and I bring that same mindset to thinking critically about policy.”

Competing in Furman’s Mock Trial team was also a significant experience. “The hours of practice each week showed me how rewarding it is to invest time and effort into something you love,” she said. “The relationships I formed … taught me what it means to be part of a community and that every role on a team is essential.”

Overall, Bryan credits her Furman experiences – from campus classrooms to the deserts of the Southwest – for putting her on her current career path.

“The opportunities I had to apply academic knowledge outside of the classroom, such as meeting with tribal leaders or writing investigative pieces for The Paladin, strengthened my ability to engage with the world outside Furman,” said Bryan, who is looking forward to continuing work on Capitol Hill or in a research position. “Experiences like these taught me to be receptive to unfamiliar situations and to seek knowledge in all places.”