At the heart of the Indiana Statehouse, a young Jasper County native by the name of Ben Olson is deep into his internship with State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) amid the bustle of the 2025 legislative session. Olson, a product of Rensselaer Central High School and a Purdue University alumnus with a background in biology and history, is carving out his space where laws are made and local voices are funneled into action.
"Every day introduces a new adventure and the opportunity to learn something new while being able to help serve the great people of Indiana," Olson said, in a statement obtained by Indiana House Republicans. Stating that he is privileged, Olson gets the chance to observe first-hand how his representative is impacting his community and the state daily.
The legislative intern's duties are not light; they range from corresponding with the state's residents through every available medium to supporting the mechanisms of committee hearings and the flow of floor proceedings. Working in tandem with lawmakers and staff, interns like Olson are pivotal cogs in turning the wheels of a successful legislative session.
Recognizing his potential, Rep. Culp highlighted Olson's burgeoning network: "Ben has been able to create connections with so many great people who can help him on his career path," he said to Indiana House Republicans, ushering a note of pride for the intern's progress. As stated by Culp, interns are depended on heavily by lawmakers and staff to keep the session on track.
It isn't all about the present for interns like Olson; the opportunity presents a doorway to future prospects. The Indiana House of Representatives lays out these internships each year, calling on college students, law-school students, graduate students, and recent graduates to engage in the governance process during the annual legislative session.
