The Washington Center

 

 

What is The Washington Center?

The Washington Center is an independent, nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries.  They provide students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington D.C. for academic credit.  The Washington Center provides diverse, highly motivated interns to thousands of organizations in government, business and the non-profit sector.  They contribute significantly to their placements and often prove to be of longer term interest as prospective employees.

The Internship
  • Students are placed according to their interests and career goals with federal agencies, congressional or judicial offices, public interest groups, etc.  (link to list of possible sites?)The internship requires 4 ½ days of work per week, attend a required course, and attend seminars and events.

Eligibility
  • Must be enrolled at Bloomsburg University
  • Maintain a grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Receive the approval of your faculty advisor and BU’s TWC Liaison astbriggs@bloomu.edu
  • Must be at least a second semester sophomore; prefer junior and/or above

Costs
  • You will be billed by Bloomsburg University for tuition and housing.  The program costs are covered by a grant from TWC to PASSHE students.  Talk to Mr. John Bieryla in Financial Aid for more information about your costs jbieryla@bloomu.edu

 

Credit
  • You will be enrolled and receive Bloomsburg University credit;  12 credits for summer enrollment and 15 credits for fall/spring enrollment

Housing
  • Housing is provided by The Washington Center as long as you complete a housing reservation contract by the required deadline. 
  • This is a secure building with an Resident Advisor

 


 

 

 

 

The Washington Center provides diverse, highly motivated interns to thousands of organizations in government, business and the non-profit sector. They contribute significantly to their placements and often prove to be of longer term interest as prospective employees.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Application Process
  • All applicants must meet with the Director of Academic Internships at Bloomsburg University, Alison Stone-Briggs astbriggs@bloomu.edu to review your application requirements.
  • You must provide an internship request statement, an issues essay, a resume, emergency contact information, transcript(s), two letters of recommendation, and approval of your campus sponsor/advisor.

Application Fee
  • There is an application fee of $60. You may apply online at www.twc.edu (it will require a credit card payment) or you can print out the application and make checks payable to “The Washington Center.”
  • The amount is refunded if you meet our minimum eligibility required (including the minimum GPA), submit a complete, on-time application and are not accepted.

Resume
  • Your resume should clearly outline your educational, volunteer, leadership and work experience to date.

Internship Request Statement
  • In 100-words you should describe the types of activities in which you would like to be involved in during your internship and how these activities relate to your career goals.  Do not make a statement of any particular organization.

Issues Essay
  • In a 500-word essay you will discuss one issue related to the field in which you hope to work.  You should include an indication of your personal views on this topic.  This is not a research paper, but rather an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you have a serious interest and some background knowledge about issues in the field you wish to work.

Transcript
  • You need one official transcript from each college or university you have attended.
  • For more information about transcript requests from Bloomsburg University, click here

Letters of Recommendation
  • You must have two letters of recommendation.  Please provide at least the name and phone number for one of your recommenders.

Deadlines

Term

Early Deadlines Begin

Competitive Deadline

Regular Deadline

 

Spring 2010

5/26/09

9/28/09

11/13/09

 

Summer 2010

9/28/09

2/01/10

3/12/10

 

Fall 2010

1/22/10

5/03/10

6/18/10

 

 

HOUSING and STUDENT LIFE ACTIVITIES

Housing:

 

 

 

 

 

Finding housing in Washington D.C. area can be difficult, but as long as you complete a housing reservation contract by the required deadline, you will be guaranteed housing.  Although there are differences among the various housing units, all offer:

  • Fully furnished and air conditioned
  • Have fully-equipped kitchens and private bathrooms
  • Provide laundry facilities
  • Provide high speed internet access via cable modem, local

telephone and basic cable service

  • Have 24-hour front desk coverage or secured access building
  • Are convenient to shops and restaurants

 

Student Life Activities:
Throughout the semester there are many activities organized by Student Life office and The Washington Center staff.  They include:

  • Career Boot Camp: Networking, workplace etiquette, applying to graduate school, getting a job in the federal government and more
  • International Cultural Festival
  • Walking tour of some of Washington, D.C.’s neighborhoods
  • Kayaking on the Potomac River
  • Trip to Atlantic City

FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES


The Federal Government islooking to open up 250,000 jobs in the next five years. As a result, internships with the federal government give students a great opportunity to test-drive careers with, and to have their skills seen by, the world’s largest employer.  Many interns are offered full-time positions with the federal government upon graduation.

 


 

 

 

 

The Washington Center has several initiatives through which students may intern in federal agencies.  Some of these opportunities include:

  • Federal Government Initiatives
  • American Indian and Alaska Native Initiatives
  • EPA Environmental Internship
  • Department of Commerce
  • Washington Headquarters Services/Department of Defense Summer Internship Program
  • Internship Opportunities with the U.S. Coast Guard
  • Federal Aviation Administration/Department of Transportation Internship Program

We advise students who are interested in federal opportunities to fill out the general application and note interest in federal opportunities in the letter of intent and in the boxes to the right of the application. 

You must apply by the early application deadline in order to be considered for federal opportunities so to give enough time to complete necessary clearances.

For more information regarding Federal Opportunities, click here