| Washington Semester’s reputation, connections help students boost résumés BY ADRIENNE FRANK The most coveted read in Washington isn’t the president’s daily briefing. Rather, it’s Washington Semester’s 296-page internship guide, packed with 2,000 opportunities—more than any other experiential learning program in the world. Many of the placements, which range from the Red Cross and the World Bank to the Washington National Opera and the Department of Justice, are exclusive to Washington Semester and can’t be unearthed through Internet searches or phone calls. “The database is built on Washington Semester’s nearly 60-year history, and it continues to grow,” said Amy Morrill Bijeau, internship director. “We have a nice reputation across the city; people come to depend on our interns. Organizations want dedicated interns with fresh ideas and lots of energy, and they know our students fit the bill.” Since Washington Semester’s inception in 1947, the program has placed students in every organization and agency in Washington—except the Washington Post. “And that’s only because they only take master’s students,” said Bijeau. “We’ve been everywhere else.” According to Bijeau, a White House internship is one of the most sought-after opportunities. Washington Semester students have interned every semester for every presidential administration since President Gerald Ford took the oath of office. “It’s very exciting for students because they’re seeing the things that go on in the news, but with their own eyes,” said Bijeau. As an intern at Friends of Hillary, Senator Hillary Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) reelection campaign, and HillPac, Rachel Applestein spent the fall semester on the Hill, surrounded by political elites and C-SPAN cameras. Applestein, a sophomore from Tulane University, was tasked with researching campaign contributions and organizing the bills Clinton has sponsored and cosponsored. The political science major said the highlight of the internship was chatting with Clinton three times, including once in a Senate elevator. “It was special meeting the senator and being able to introduce myself and tell her my story and how proud I am to work for her,” said Applestein, whose grandmother also participated in the Washington Semester program in 1952. Like Applestein, Ashley Hayes, a junior from Spelman College, interned for one of Washington’s most influential women. At the Children’s Defense Fund, Hayes, a political science major, met several times with Marian Wright Edelman, who founded the organization in 1973. Hayes said she was inspired by Spelman alumna Edelman and others who give children “a lawmaking voice.” “So many laws and policies have a major effect on children, especially children living in poverty, and without someone to advocate on their behalf they are helpless,” said Hayes. According to Bijeau, students’ experiences on the job are woven into Washington Semester’s 12 seminars, which include peace and conflict resolution, transforming communities, and economic policy. “We want students to make the link between theory and practice. How are the principles they’re talking about in class applied in their internships?” In order to make that link, students keep journals, write papers, and meet with their professors to discuss their work experiences. Bijeau said most students spend two days per week at their internship, for which they receive four credits. But others, like Dan Cote, a student in the journalism seminar, devote extra time to their work. Cote, a senior from Trinity College, interned at NBC-4’s The George Michael Sports Machine. Four days a week, Cote “charted” games, writing down everything that happened and selecting the plays for the highlight reel. The English literature major also sharpened his journalism skills by interviewing D.C. United players after their playoff loss to the Chicago Fire in late October. “They lost the game, so they weren’t in great spirits, but it was still a blast to get behind the scenes and do the interviews,” said Cote. Although Cote isn’t sure if he’ll pursue a career in the newsroom, he knows he’ll leave D.C. with “some great connections.” “Washington Semester has helped open doors for me,” he said. “I know I can contact some of these people later in life.” Networking is one of Washington Semester’s chief aims, said Bijeau. Internships are designed to give students a sense of what they may or may not want to pursue after graduation; “they’re certainly not expected to finish the internship and say this is what I’m going to do with my life,” said Bijeau. However, some, like Nathaniel Moore, a junior from Tufts University, will leave Washington with a clear sense of purpose. “I had no idea what I wanted to do,” said Moore, whose internship at the Department of Commerce focused on Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. “Washington Semester was a chance to test out some areas I was interested in.” Moore’s internship, which focused on research and the analysis of economic data, helped him settle on a career in developmental economics. Washington Semester, Moore said, “has been the perfect chance to combine school with the work experience I wanted and needed. As a result, I’m much more excited about life after college.” |
