Public Policy Summer Internships in DC

Institute on Comparative Political & Economic Systems
Washington, DC
June 3 – July 28, 2017
www.DCinternships.org/ICPES

Priority Deadline for Scholarships: February 8
Final Deadline: March 16
**Scholarship Funding Available**

Do you sit in class daydreaming about working on Capitol Hill or in a federal agency? Or perhaps sitting around the table at a think tank reviewing policies of the new administration? When you read the news and see the many challenges that confront our nation do you ever ask yourself, do I have what it takes to help resolve today’s most pressing challenges?

If you answered yes, we invite you to apply to the 2017 Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems and be counted among the next generation of professionals to shape tomorrow’s public policy decisions.

Program Components:

• Public Policy Internship: Intern 30-35 hours a week on Capitol Hill, at a think tank, NGO, or government agency. You will gain insight and practical experience in public policy and economics career tracks. Issue areas that you could be working on this summer include:

o Economic and trade policies
o Energy solutions
o National defense and homeland security
o U.S. education system
o Challenges facing inner-cities and urban areas
o Congressional hearings and legislative action
o Environmental policies
o Tax reform
o Human rights
o Emerging political leaders for state and federal office
o 2nd Amendment Rights or Reform

• Economics and Government Coursework: Combine theory and practice and take courses on public policy economics and government for 3 to 9 credit hours through George Mason University. Click here to view the course catalog.

• Exclusive Lectures and Site Briefings: Engage in debate and discussion on salient issues of U.S. policy with prominent scholar-practitioners, and attend exclusive briefings at key Washington institutions including the State Department, Federal Reserve, Capitol Hill, and various federal agencies.

• Small Group Networking: Meet with seasoned practitioners including congressional staff members, think tank experts, lobbyists, and other professionals to learn about career paths in public policy.

• Mentor Program: Connect with a practitioner in your field of interest who will serve as a professional mentor during and after the program. He or she will provide tips for living in Washington as well as career advice and networking contacts.

• Housing: Students will live in furnished apartments on campus at George Washington University in downtown Washington, DC and are matched with other program participants as roommates. The apartments are located steps from the White House, State Department and National Monuments, and provide easy access to the DC metro transportation system.

• Scholarships: More than 70% of students receive partial scholarship awards based on financial need and merit.

This Could be You:
"Interning with the Consumer Protection Branch of the Department of Justice has been unbelievably rewarding and fulfilling work. As a legal intern, I have supported the trial attorneys at the branch with various preparation activities and support services. I have been able to get an inside look at the workings of the federal prosecution process, which has led me to work toward a similar career in the future."
Thomas Fiegener, Oklahoma State University
Intern, Department of Justice

"Whether it be sitting in on a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing or shaking hands and discussing the future of unmanned aircraft with the executives of Raytheon and Boeing, this internship has put me in the middle of the policy making process."
Michael Giordano, United States Air Force Academy
Intern, Aerospace Industries Association

Application Instructions:
Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline of March 14, but applicants are encouraged to apply by the February 8 priority deadline for Scholarships in order to receive special consideration.

Application requirements include a topical essay, statement or purpose, resume, official transcript, letter of recommendation and $25 application fee. An application checklist is available here

Please visit www.DCinternships.org/ICPES for more program details and to begin an application. Questions may be directed to Laura Cusack, Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems Manager, at ICPES@tfas.org or 202.986.0384.