When Cadet Katelyn Pruitt, ’26, read an announcement about an immersion experience in the United Kingdom working as a Parliamentary Fellow, the first-generation college student immediately jumped at the chance.
The political science major worked at the Institute of Economic Affairs, an educational charity and free-market think tank, before her internship took her to Parliament under Sir Conor Burns, the member of Parliament for Bournemouth West, a parliamentary constituency in the south of England. Burns serves as the prime minister’s trade envoy to the United States for regional trade and investment, giving Pruitt the hands- on opportunity to manage and research issues related to international relations.
Pruitt researched corporate and government policies for a U.S. business planning to open its first locations in the United Kingdom. Until the deal was official, Pruitt was notallowed to know the name of the company. A native of Jenkinsburg, Georgia, she found an unexpected piece of home abroad when she was told that the company she was researching was none other than Chick-fil-A—a campus favorite headquartered in Atlanta.
Pruitt, a newcomer to the United Kingdom’s political system, toured Parliament, sat in on meetings of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and watched as King Charles III gave the King’s Speech, an annual tradition that outlines legislative priorities at the start of the parliamentary year. “I have always been so interested in learning about different policies between countries,” said Pruitt. “Working in Parliament to see first-hand how they run things, how effective they are and how it really represents their people was something I was so excited for.”
Pruitt enjoyed networking with politicians and fellow interns—the experience taught her how to navigate tense political relationships tactfully. “My boss impacted me in amazing ways,” said Pruitt. “I learned how to work a room.”