SPEA offers D.C. internships on the Hill

IU students are taking to Capitol Hill as part of the Washington Leadership Program sponsored by the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. The program, now in its 18th year, offers 30 juniors and seniors a full-time internship in the nation's capital and the opportunity to live in Falls Church, Va., for an entire semester.\nBlanca Miller, SPEA assistant director of undergraduate career services, said the program gives students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to real-world activities. She said students can select their internship from over 70 sponsors ranging from congressional and governmental offices to military and environmental offices.\n"Students that participate in this program receive an insider's view on how our government operates," Miller said. "It is an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand experience and professional skills." \nIn addition to working four days a week at their internship, students take two upper-level seminar courses in public affairs and policy during the semester. The program gives students a total of 12 credits -- three for each of the required courses, and six for the internship. \nThere is no additional cost for the program, Miller said. Students will still pay IU tuition and are eligible for any scholarships or financial aid. However, they are also responsible for personal costs such as food, laundry, transportation and entertainment.\nSenior Katie Pumnea, a political science major, worked for Sen. Richard Lugar last semester. Her primary responsibilities included conducting legislative research, answering constituent letters and giving tours of the Capitol Building.\n"The job gave me a really good idea of what actually goes on in D.C. … how our government functions on a day-to-day basis," Pumnea said. \nPumnea said she encourages her peers to take advantage of the program. During her internship, she also had the opportunity to meet noted senators, congressmen and politicians.\n"It helped me gain perspective in what I want to do in the future," Pumnea said. "I loved the city and I plan to go back there someday."\nSenior and SPEA management major Elizabeth Breckenridge also participated in the WLP last semester, working directly for Sen. Evan Bayh. In addition to compiling media clips and scheduling White House tours, Breckenridge had the opportunity to meet many famous faces.\n"Hillary Clinton worked right down the hall from me," Breckenridge said. "I saw her and people such as Trent Lott and John McCain every day."\nThough Breckenridge often attended important meetings and met politicians from all over the world, she said she enjoyed the D.C. atmosphere above everything.\n"The best part of my experience was coming to work every morning," Breckenridge said. "When you're walking in, you get to see the Capitol Building. When your passion is politics and government, nothing can top that."\nSince 1985, more than 800 students from all eight IU campuses have participated in the program. Miller said she encourages all students -- no matter what their major -- to apply for the program.\n"The fall will be an especially exciting time to participate in the program and be in Washington D.C. because it's an election year," Miller said. \nThe application requires a resume, two faculty references, a personal essay and an interview by a selection committee -- consisting of a SPEA administrator, senior faculty member and an academic advisor. For more information on the Washington Leadership Program, visit www.indiana.edu/~speacare/leadership.html.\n"The feedback we have received from this program is tremendous," Miller said. "Many students have actually met the president and his cabinet members, and some have even attended fancy parties and presidential inaugurations."\n-- Contact general assignments editor Lori Geller at lfgeller@indiana.edu.