Each summer thousands of interns swarm to Washington D.C. to gain work experience and network with their future coworkers. Sterling College Junior Caleb Watney found more than just a network of like-minded individuals, he found the direction he wants to steer his final years in college and post-graduate schooling. Thanks to his internship with State Policy Network, he was able to apply the business skills and economic ideas he has been learning about at Sterling to his internship and learn more from reputable think tanks like the Cato Institute, American Enterprise Institute and the Institute of Humane Studies.

“I got to talk with policy experts on a number of issues which helped me narrow down which areas I'm most passionate about. Through all of my experience this summer, I’ve decided that I want to advocate for the use of innovative technologies in developing countries to help them rise out of poverty,” said Watney.

His main focus is bitcoin, defined by Watney as “an international, decentralized digital currency and payment system.”

“I believe that bitcoin could be as revolutionary for the financial sector as the internet was for communication. It's an empowering technology, and no one needs financial empowerment more than the developing world,” said Watney.

Watney is currently building an organization called BitVision to advocate for the adoption of bitcoin and cypto-currencies in non-profits doing economic development. He is also working with a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center to write a policy paper on the sharing economy.

Watney has one more semester at Sterling College. From there he plans on graduate school to further his studies in economics and public policy.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.