Quinn Margrett, a junior studying business economics and political science, is on a career path far different than many of his peers. His aspirations lie in politics, and while entry into the political field can be challenging, Margrett has put himself in a better position than others in similar pursuits.
Spending last summer in Washington, D.C., Margrett secured a position with the United States Senate as a legislative intern. He supported his home senator’s legislative efforts in a range of tasks, compiled multiple in-depth policy papers on varied subject matters, and had the opportunity to attend congressional hearings, briefings, and press events.
Margrett comfortably navigated the substantial duties of his summer role, which can be attributed to his prior experience in similar positions through his extensive involvement at Iowa State University.
- Student Government, Executive Branch.
- Student Body vice president, president of the Student Senate.
- Former speaker of the Student Senate.
- Political Science Club – member.
- Pre-Law Club – member.
- Inter-Residence Hall Association (IRHA) – member.
- National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) – member.
- Upper Honors Program – member.
- Department of Economics – undergraduate researcher.
- Department of Community and Regional Planning – undergraduate researcher.
- FIRST STEM – volunteer.
Despite his heavy schedule, Margrett has continued impacting the community through involvement while shining academically and consistently earning a spot on the dean’s list. Not letting opportunities go to waste and continuing to set high-achieving goals for himself have helped Margrett find success in the many facets of his life, making for an exciting and rewarding collegiate experience.
What led you to Iowa State?
“I grew up in Ames and graduated from Ames High School, so I’ve been a Cyclone for as long as I can remember. You really can’t separate the campus and the community, and throughout high school, I became increasingly attached to both. I did a lot of volunteer work with Story County Conservation. I also served as co-captain of a local robotics team based out of Sukup Hall (a building on Iowa State’s campus). We did a lot of educational outreach at local schools, and the team also connected me with some great people in the engineering department. Although I decided not to specialize in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), pursuing my bachelor’s here felt like a natural progression. I picked business economics because I’ve always been fascinated by how economics and decision-making intersect. You learn how to look at things analytically, sure, but you also get to build a foundation of real-world business skills.”
How has your experience been with the Ivy College of Business?
“I’ve had an incredibly positive experience with Ivy. It’s a college that really prioritizes connecting students with industries. You get to attend events like career fairs, networking breakfasts, and mock interviews, and you consistently have the chance to engage with industry leaders. I’ve always appreciated that what you’re learning in the business college isn’t just conceptual; it’s very much applied, which likely contributes to our consistently high ranking among business schools. The business economics program, in particular, has been a perfect fit for me. I wanted to pursue a degree that was complex enough to really sink my teeth into, and I wanted to learn from professors at the top of their field. What’s different about business economics, though, is that you have the opportunity to actually apply the economic concepts you’re learning to your business curriculum. That’s what was originally so attractive to me about the program.”
How was your experience working with the United States Senate?
“This past summer, I had the unique privilege of serving as a legislative intern in the U.S. Senate. I worked alongside an experienced legislative staff to research important issues and put together policy proposals for our office. I specifically focused on domestic issues, like education, healthcare, and housing. As a former undergraduate researcher, I’ve always been interested in public policy, and having the chance to apply that passion at a federal level in a way that helped people was extremely rewarding for me. However, the best part of my internship was working directly with Iowans. Part of my job was to answer constituents’ questions and give tours, and there’s something incredibly special about seeing the Capitol through someone else’s eyes for the first time. It’s a stunning building with so much history. You never get tired of it.”
How has your involvement been with Iowa State University Student Government?
“Many people assume serving as student body vice president is a symbolic role. Let me tell you firsthand that it’s not. Serving in this role has taught me what it means to be a representative. I represent 30,432 Iowa State students, and as you can imagine, different things are important to different groups. Being vice president means casting a wide net to really understand what all Iowa State students need and want, not just the ones who seek us out to share their opinions. I really do mean everyone. With an annual budget of $2.8 million, student government is uniquely positioned to make students’ college experience better, but responsibly utilizing that kind of influence takes constant commitment and a willingness to really listen. Not everyone can sit down with President Wendy Wintersteen and talk about what students need. But we can. And we owe it to our constituents to make the most of the opportunities we have and to push for the changes that matter most to them.”
How have your business classes translated to work outside of the classroom?
“During my time at Ivy, I’ve had the privilege of staying very active in undergraduate research. I’ve held two different positions. I was the personal research assistant to Joshua Rosenbloom, chair of the Department of Economics, and more recently, I worked full-time for the Residential Rental Property Research Consortium. We conducted a study, alongside four other partner institutions, to better understand how rental property owners’ decision-making impacted housing stability. I wouldn’t have been able to step into either role without a background in economics, but the soft skills I’ve developed, like communication and problem-solving, have been equally important. My research roles have required me to clearly communicate complex ideas and work well in teams, so having already developed these skills in my classes has given me a real advantage in professional environments. The little things, like being confident presenting a research poster or knowing how to write a technical paper, make all the difference.”
How have you managed your busy schedule?
“It can be difficult to balance coursework, extracurriculars, research, and internships. There are so many things you have going on at the same time while you’re a student. What’s helped me is learning to be intentional with my time. I keep detailed notes and timelines so I can successfully juggle important student government projects with internship applications, my coursework, and everything else in my life. I also try to stay flexible when things don’t go as planned, which happens more often than not. It’s about finding a rhythm but being adaptable, too. Staying organized and making sure I keep perspective on my priorities has really helped me stay on top of everything.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“In my free time, I serve as a volunteer intern for the Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging. We’re an organization that focuses on advocacy for Iowa’s seniors. This year, our main priority is working with the state legislature to increase funding for home meal programs and dementia services. It’s something I’m really passionate about, and it’s been a fantastic experience. I might not have a lot of free time to give, but it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of something that has a tangible impact on people’s lives.”
What advice would you give to incoming students?
“My biggest piece of advice would be to get involved outside the classroom as soon as you get here. Without exaggeration, I’ve learned just as much in my campus leadership roles as I have in my courses. We have world-class student organizations here at Iowa State. All you have to do is find one you’re passionate about and get involved.”
What are your plans for the future?
“I very much enjoyed my time at Capitol Hill this past summer. Working alongside so many talented people across all my roles has further fueled my passion for public service. Public policy is a field I’d love to pursue full-time, and right now, I’m knee-deep in internship applications for this coming summer. I’m excited about the possibility of returning to the Hill to build upon the work I’ve already done.”
To connect with Quinn Margrett or follow his collegiate and professional journey, visit his LinkedIn profile.
