This story originally appeared on the Hinckley Institute’s website. Reposted here with permission.
The Hinckley Institute of Politics played a pivotal role in shaping Gus Gochnour’s undergraduate experience and professional trajectory. Through a series of impactful internships, he gained invaluable insights into international relations, government operations, and the power of global connectivity.
Gochnour completed three internships through the Hinckley Institute during his time at the U: a local internship with Catholic Community Services Refugee Resettlement Program, a Washington, D.C. internship with the House of Representatives, and a global internship with the German Parliament (Bundestag) in Berlin.
Each of these experiences solidified his belief in the importance of stepping out beyond his comfort zones. He credits the Hinckley Institute for providing seamless access to these opportunities, an advantage he later realized was rare among his peers from other universities. The network of motivated students and faculty within Hinckley fostered a culture of ambition and exploration, encouraging him to pursue unique career paths.
Gochnour holds many great memories from his various internships, with the community aspect of his DC program standing out especially.
“It was amazing living in DC for the summer with 35 other interns. Besides having the University of Utah in common, none of us were friends beforehand. By the end of the summer we had formed great friendships and had enduring experiences together,” he said.
Gochnour graduated from the U in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, emphasis in Foreign Relations and Security and a Bachelor of Arts in German Studies.
Post-graduation, his Hinckley experiences continued to shape his path. His time in Berlin reinforced his aspiration to live abroad, a goal he ultimately achieved through an unexpected connection—directly facilitated by a Hinckley networking opportunity. He joined Stadler, a passenger train manufacturing company with headquarters in Switzerland, where he could blend his interests in government, politics, and infrastructure development. After five years at the Utah location, he relocated to Switzerland in 2023 and is now transitioning into a permanent role there.
Reflecting on the past eight years, Gochnour attributes much of his success to the opportunities provided by the Hinckley Institute. From Salt Lake City to D.C. to Berlin and now Switzerland, The Hinckley Institute is thrilled that Gus Gochnour’s Hinckley experiences have had such a positive impact on his life and career.