Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt, a political science graduate from Truman State University, has described the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme for foreign students as a “cheap labour pipeline,” calling for its termination. He argued that such policies should prioritise domestic job opportunities, stating, “Our priority must be ensuring American students have access to high-quality jobs before foreign programmes are considered,” as quoted by the Missouri Times.The senator argued that limiting OPT would “ensure American students have first access to internships and practical work experience,” Schmitt said in conversation with local media outlets. His comments come amid a broader national debate over immigration, employment, and economic policy under the administration of President Trump.For students and professionals following the OPT debate in the US, one question naturally arises: How educated is the man calling for the termination of an academic pathway that forms the very backbone of America’s higher-education ecosystem?Here, we look closely at Eric Schmitt’s educational journey, the colleges he attended, the degrees he earned, and the experiences that have shaped his career in law, politics, and public service.From Missouri roots to national officeEric Schmitt grew up in Bridgeton, Missouri, in North St Louis County. He is a sixth-generation Missourian, with family roots including farmers, teachers, and small business owners in Tipton, Pilot Grove, Louisiana, and St Louis. His grandfather served in the 7th Army during World War II and returned to open a butcher shop with the money he won playing craps on the Queen Elizabeth, as quoted by the senator in a local interview.Schmitt watched his father work seven days a week on the midnight shift at Anheuser-Busch brewery to provide for the family. “I learned the value of a strong work ethic by observing my father,” Schmitt told the St Louis Post-Dispatch.Academic achievements and early careerSchmitt attended De Smet Jesuit High School before earning his B.A. cum laude from Truman State University. At Truman, he was a two-sport athlete in baseball and football and founded a campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He later earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Saint Louis University School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Law Review and published academic work. After law school, he taught a course on 21st Century American Civics at Saint Louis University, according to his Senate biography.He began his political career as a Glendale, Missouri, alderman from 2005 to 2008, then represented Missouri’s 15th Senate District from 2008, winning reelection in 2012. Schmitt later served as Missouri State Treasurer, where he implemented a statewide tool for citizens to track taxpayer spending. He then became Attorney General, launching initiatives such as the Safer Streets Initiative, a Cold Case Unit, and the SAFE Kit programme to address sexual assault kit backlogs.Legislative priorities in the US SenateSince being sworn in as a US Senator for Missouri, Schmitt has focused on protecting free speech, challenging the administrative state, and supporting military readiness. He chairs the Subcommittee on the Constitution and serves on the Judiciary, Armed Services, Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees, while also acting as Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee, as per his official Senate profile.Schmitt’s recent call to end OPT reflects his ongoing legislative focus on domestic employment and national security. In his statement, he noted, “Our priority must be ensuring Americans have access to high-quality jobs before foreign programmes are considered,” as quoted by the Missouri Times.Personal life and advocacySchmitt lives in Glendale, Missouri, with his wife Jaime and their three children: Stephen, Sophia, and Olivia. His son Stephen, who was born with Tuberous Sclerosis and is non-verbal, inspired Schmitt to pursue public office to advocate for families with special needs, as reported by the St Louis Post-Dispatch. Schmitt has also served on numerous boards, including De Smet Jesuit High School and the TS Alliance, and has received multiple awards recognising his advocacy, including the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance Champion Award.
