HATTIESBURG - With an eye on a career in public service, senior Mick Bullock of The University of Southern Mississippi will get an opportunity to see the political process up close and personal when he serves as a senior page in the Mississippi Senate.

Bullock, a speech communication major from Columbia who will graduate this semester, will begin his duties Dec. 15. He is the son of Mitchell and Beverly Bullock of Columbia.

"The main reason I wanted to do this is to gain experience," Bullock said. "I want to serve in the legislature one day, and this will give me firsthand knowledge."

As senior page, Bullock's duties will include constituent correspondence and technology issues, updating the legislative agenda calendar and oversight of junior pages, among other responsibilities.

Bullock said his passion for politics and desire to one day run for public office blossomed while working on the congressional campaign of Art Rhodes, who ran for the seat held by former congressman Mike Parker of Brookhaven. "He was a great inspiration, not only politically but to see that you can be a Christian and work in politics," Bullock said.

State Sen. Tom King, a Southern Miss alumnus from Petal, recommended Bullock for the position. King said the position includes a lot of responsibility and he's confident of Bullock's abilities. "I think he'll do a great job," King said. "He's very articulate and capable, and I look forward to working with him."

King said Bullock will gain valuable knowledge and experience about the inner workings of Mississippi government as a senior page. "It gives you insight into the legislature and how it operates; it will help him see the other side, to see what the job (of a legislator) entails and the responsibility and challenges that legislators have."

Assisting constituents in obtaining needed government services is the primary reason Bullock said he wants to get into politics and public service. "You're actually able to see people getting helped," Bullock said. "There are a lot of positives about public service that many people don't see."