When Santiago Hernandez first arrived at The University of Texas at Austin from San Antonio, he brought with him a saxophone and a vision for shaping Texas policy. Four years later, as he prepares to graduate with dual degrees in Government and Race, Indigeneity, and Migration, his path from classroom to Capitol has been paved with purposeful internships, music, and a deepening understanding of how policy affects real Texans. Just blocks from the pink granite dome where he hopes to one day make a difference, Santiago has transformed academic theory into practical experience that will carry him into a career of public service.
Why UT? The Capitol Connection
Why is The University of Texas at Austin the best school in the state? That depends on who you ask. Go around campus a time or two, and you’ll hear a variety of answers—culture, athletics, academics, maybe even our mascot.
One conspicuous benefit of the UT campus is its proximity to the Texas Capitol building. The sub-mile distance affords students the ease of exploring prime legal and policymaking careers in the heart of Austin—a perk which attracts students from across the state of Texas, including Santiago Hernandez.
Coming from San Antonio, Texas, Santiago always wanted to pursue a career in the government/policymaking sector. In high school, he participated in a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute summer program, which supported his college preparation and expanded his network of like-minded students and professionals. As he made his college applications, he knew that political science was the aim, but he also wanted to remain close to family in San Antonio, so the choice was clear.
“I decided to first enroll as a Government major, then decided to add my double major because I wanted more of the social issues aspect of it, and RIM (Race, Indigeneity, and Migration) gave me that opportunity to learn,” Santiago said.
Living La Vida Longhorn
Once he donned burnt orange, Santiago also joined the Longhorn Band as an alto saxophone player, ensuring his weekends would be decorated with rehearsals, football games, and a cohort of over 300 friends—all similarly talented musicians. More than music, the experience would hone Santiago’s time management skills and cement his weekly agenda.
With a continuous need to develop his education and knowledge in policymaking, Santiago enrolled in Liberal Arts Honors and the Public Policy Bridging Disciplines Program, the latter enabling him to acquire internships with the Equal Justice Center and Texas Senator César Blanco.
“I was able to learn about labor laws and employment discrimination—something that really isn’t thought of when you think about the law,” Santiago said about his work with the Equal Justice Center.
With State Senator César Blanco, Santiago learned the political conduct necessary to pass legislation—from staffers meeting with advocacy groups and lobbyists to negotiations between legislators to the invisible administrative work behind each policymaker.
Regarding his experience in the state legislature, Santiago said, “I was able to immerse myself in the politics of it all and understand how senators and representatives have to bargain to get their proposals through.”
Though an outside perspective may envision the legal and policymaking sector as one adorned with suits and gravitas, at its core, the profession is based ultimately in writing, a skill Santiago acknowledges he honed in his Liberal Arts Honors classes, before he started gaining internship experience in college.
“There was kind of a shock going from high school into my freshman year, realizing different people have different levels of writing skills. It was scary at times, feeling like I wasn’t as prepared as the rest of my classmates,” Santiago said. “But that’s okay. College is where you focus on yourself, your skills, and what you want to do. I’m really thankful to Liberal Arts Honors for teaching me that and helping me realize that I could branch out to find skills that I wanted to pursue.”
Walking Off the Forty Acres: The Road Ahead
Having acquired a kaleidoscopic education toward policymaking and its cultural impacts, Santiago faces graduation and the workforce. Equipped with the knowledge and skills he developed during his classes, research, and internships, Santiago is prepared to translate his experience into meaningful policies that serve Texans from all backgrounds.
When asked what helped him most about UT, Santiago said, “The exposure to these skills has opened doors that I wouldn’t have known about, had I not taken the opportunity to enroll in different classes. The University is a good way to explore what you don’t know.”
Expanding on this, he stated that knowing your niche is a significant first step in finding your home on campus.
“Know what you’re interested in. There’s more than likely a group that meets for that hobby. If not, there are fairs that first week and tabling on the speedway. I encourage students to take time, to talk to people, and to browse the organizations.”
He continued, “Band was one of the first communities I found. Music is a big part of my life, so I knew I wanted to continue playing my instrument in some shape, way, or form.”
As he walks the stage this May with his dual degrees in Government and Race, Indigeneity, and Migration, Santiago will carry more than academic credentials. He'll bring a musician's discipline, a researcher's curiosity, and a public servant's commitment to the halls of government, where, just blocks from where his journey began, he hopes to craft policies that make a difference in Texans' lives.
For students interested in government and policy careers, visit the Government Department website or the Bridging Disciplines Programs office for information about internship opportunities.