Jake Lorenz Embraces Opportunity, Thrives in Political Internship
As a White House intern, Dietrich School political science major Jake Lorenz had the opportunity to see government in action from a front-row seat.
“I’ve always had a keen interest in government, starting from my time in high school as a poll worker for the Chester County Electoral Commission,” explains Lorenz. “I believe government is uniquely positioned to enact positive change across society and have always felt a connection to public service and global affairs.”
Lorenz, a Stamps Scholar, is concentrating in international relations and a minor in French language, along with a certificate in European Union Studies.
“Here at Pitt, the political science track was the perfect fit for me. The relationship between governments, whether through bilateral relationships or multilateral institutions, has always interested me. It’s been so impactful to study these subjects in the classroom, while also being able to interact with these concepts in the real world,” says Lorenz.
Lorenz came to Pitt in part because of the Stamps Scholarship, which, he says, is “a full cost of attendance award for students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, scholarship, and service. This unique and life-changing award, along with Pitt’s exceptional academic programs and the opportunities in the Frederick Honors College, brought me to the University.”
The Stamps Scholarship program provides funding for scholars to explore opportunities in their field without having to worry about financial burdens.
“The program has lifted enormous barriers off my shoulders, allowing me to focus on the work at hand and take on new and exciting opportunities,” says Lorenz. “The scholarship has also introduced me to an invaluable network of other Stamps Scholars, some of whom I work with constantly and consider my best friends. I am extremely grateful for what this scholarship has allowed me to accomplish, and I look forward to my future interactions with other scholars.”
For Lorenz, these unique opportunities took the form of two internships, one at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Estonia, where Lorenz was the political-military intern working to support the diplomacy behind U.S. defense posture in the Baltics and security cooperation in light of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, through the State Department's Student Internship Program.
“This experience was simply amazing and allowed me to see the full breadth of the Foreign Service working in one of the most critical regions of the world. Based off the smaller size of the embassy, I was also able to spend time working in the Public Affairs Section and the Executive Office, supporting the operations of the ambassador and embassy leadership,” says Lorenz.
Most recently, Lorenz interned at the White House in the Office of Scheduling and Advance as the Scheduling Intern through the White House Internship Program. In this role, he drafted the daily schedule, prepared materials for senior administration staff, and assisted with managing incoming scheduling requests for the administration.
“This work was unbelievably exciting and allowed me to see the breadth of what the White House does every single day. The Biden Administration's commitment to serving all Americans is what remains most inspirational to me. For perspective, Donald Trump was elected when I was in eighth grade, so that culture of divisive rhetoric and partisanship has shaped the formation of my political world. President Biden's devotion to restoring the soul of America and bringing people together has made me so proud of what this Administration stands for,” Lorenz stated.
In addition to his off-campus work, Lorenz also maintains on-campus political involvement, serving as the Communications Director of Pitt for Josh Shapiro during the 2022 midterm elections and working to elect Josh Shapiro as Pennsylvania's next governor. He also interned at the American Enterprise Institute in the External Affairs team in the summer of 2022.
Lorenz has had an extremely exciting and fruitful career at Pitt so far. While he is unsure of where his career will take him next, after graduation, Lorenz is interested in enrolling in graduate school for international politics and pursuing a career in public service.
“The most notable takeaway from these experiences has been the humanization of government and of the political process. From the outsider’s perspective, things can seem so bleak and broken, but getting to know and interact with hundreds of dedicated public servants has made me so optimistic for the future of our country,” Lorenz offers. “Additionally, I’ve been able to see first-hand the role of American leadership across the world, which is something that has made me so proud of this administration and of being American.”