Texas Eta (Stephen F. Austin) Phi George Lane is now working in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert.
“I accepted an offer to become a congressional aide for United States Congressman Louie Gohmert and moved to Washington, DC, at the end of August,” Lane said. “I was notified about an opening at the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy through my office. I applied and accepted the position at the Federalist Society a few weeks ago.
He said he feels honored to be working in a “distinguished organization.” Lane graduated in May, majoring in political science and minoring in history. While Lane was in school, he was heavily involved in organizations around campus.
“I was involved in SFA student government where I served as a senior class senator for the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and I was the founder and president of the SFA College Republicans,” Lane said. “I also worked on Gov. Abbott’s campaign with his East Texas Regional Director Steffen Carrillo and on Gov. Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign during the 2016 Iowa Caucuses alongside serving as a legislative aide for State Rep. Travis Clardy in the Texas State Capitol.”
Lane is not going to stop there. His future plans involve furthering his career in not only Washington, D.C., but also Texas.
“I would like to continue working in D.C. for a few years and then head back to Texas to pursue a career in real estate development,” Lane said.
He does not want to give up politics while venturing into the real estate business.
“I am also thinking about returning to the Hill after the Fed Society and pursuing a career as a legislative director or chief of staff for a United States congressman,” Lane said. “In the future, I would like to run for congress in Texas.”
SFA government Associate Professor Lee Payne gave advice to students who have dreams of working in Washington, D.C.
“The best advice I can give students with these ambitions is to get involved in local politics, build a reputation and work their way up the political ladder,” Payne said.
Payne has helped several students find internships.
“I’ve placed five or six students in internships with Texas Rep. Travis Clardy,” Payne said. “Four of these students are now working full-time in politics. You know about George. The other three are Karina Erickson, who is working in D.C. for Rep. Ted Poe; Zoe Ang, who is working for Senate hopeful Heck in Nevada; and Will Carter, who is working for a D.C. representative in the Texas office. All of these former students started out interning for Travis Clardy and working their way up.”
Lane offered advice for anyone desiring to work in government.
“For anyone that is planning on working on Capitol Hill, [it] is [important] to put yourself out in the political world,” Lane said. “Campaign and volunteer for congressional or state house and state senate races. There are many avenues that one can take in order to become a great candidate, but also remember that these positions are very competitive, and a variety of positions or volunteer experience on your résumé can make or break their willingness to accept you.
