Adam Zimmermann, Creating Media for Schock

10/05/2010 11:30 AM

By: Melissa McGuire

Adam Zimmermann, a junior interactive media student, never envisioned he’d spend a summer dabbling in politics.

But when U.S. Representative Aaron Schock needed a media savvy intern, he looked immediately to Bradley’s Department of Interactive Media. There he found Zimmermann, who joined the republican congressman’s team over the summer.

Zimmermann interned at the federal building in downtown Peoria, but spent most of his time in the district with Rep. Schock, a Bradley alumnus, as he visited constituents, held town hall forums, and held events such as the recent Summer Reading Program Celebration and his annual Youth Leadership Summit.

Zimmermann was responsible for taking pictures and video during events, setting up events, and completing a host of other tasks. He also worked on the Congressman’s congressional website 

“It’s cool being able to go to a congressman’s website and know that some of the photos are yours,” Zimmermann said.

Zimmermann interacted with Schock times and speaks very highly of him.

“He was always very genuine and interested in constituents’ problems, no matter how many people he had already talked with that day,” Zimmermann said. “The thing that left the biggest impression on me was his honest answers at town hall forums. He wouldn’t just say what people wanted to hear. He would explain not only what his position was, but also the background on the issue and why he believes what he believes, even if it was an un-popular thing to say.”

Through the internship, Zimmermann gained a higher appreciation for photography, which he continues to pursue as a hobby. He said everything he learned over the summer will in some way be applicable to his career, but his focus remains on web design.

“I want to build websites and integrate that interest with information technology,” Zimmermann said. “Anything that has to do with the Internet, as long as it allows me to be creative.”