Internships in Washington, D.C. - Upcoming Deadlines and Oct 29 Info Sessions at UW

Are you interested in doing an internship in Washington, D.C.?

If yes, please join us for information meetings about The Washington Center Internship Program on Thursday, October 29, at the following times:

1130-1220pm in Gowen Hall, Room 1A
230-320pm in Denny Hall, Room 206
330-420pm in Sieg Hall, Room 224

The Washington Center (TWC) runs a full-time internship program in Washington, D.C., that is open to all UW students and provides comprehensive service, including internship placement and housing. Placements include government agencies, corporations, nonprofits and international organizations. Hundreds of UW students have participated in this program since UW's affiliation in 1977, and many have made connections that led to post-degree employment.

At the informational meetings, a Washington Center representative will be on campus to discuss the program, scholarships and the application process.

For 2010 the program cost is $5455 and the housing cost is $3,540. In addition, students pay UW registration, transportation, and personal expenses. Students may use financial aid for this program, UW tuition is charged at a reduced rate, and students may apply for scholarships.

Upcoming application deadlines are:

Spring Quarter 2010, Regular: 1/15/10
Summer Quarter 2010, Competitive*: 2/1/10, Regular: 3/12/10
Autumn Quarter 2010, Early**: 1/22/10, Competitive*: 5/3/10, Regular: 6/18/10

Spring Quarter 2011, Early**: 5/24/10, Competitive*: 9/27/10, Regular: 1/14/11

* Deadline for scholarship eligibility (Regular deadline for WA State scholarship)

** See http://www.twc.edu/students/earlydeadlines.shtml for the list of
organizations that require applications by the early deadline

Note that some established internship programs, such as the Congressional Black Caucus, may require earlier application submissions than the deadlines noted above.

Regardless of your major, there is an internship position for you. If you would like to know more, please come to an information session or contact UW's liaison, Meera Roy, at meroy@uw.edu for an appointment. Information about the program is also available online at www.twc.edu

U.S.-China Bilateral Trade Internship program at The Washington Center in D.C. - Nov 13 Deadline

The University of Washington is one of three U.S. programs to participate in The Washington Center's U.S.-China Bilateral Trade Internship Program for students who have strong interests in issues of bilateral trade, business practices in the United States and China, and cross-cultural collaboration.

This Washington, D.C., program brings together 20 students, 10 from the United States and 10 from China, to

* work in internships in governmental, international, business and nonprofit organizations in their areas of interest
* take a class that focuses on both cross-cultural awareness and U.S.-China trade issues, and
* participate in other events such as a speaker series and simulated negotiations.

It is a competitive scholarship program sponsored by Boeing (students are named Boeing Fellows) that covers TWC fees, housing fees, airfare, and provides a monthly stipend. Participating students register at UW and receive 15 credits of Pol S 498.

Juniors and seniors who have an average GPA of at least 3.0 may apply. The application deadline is November 13, the program begins on January 21, and it ends on May 7. Although this schedule coincides with two UW quarters, students have successfully participated in the past.

For the application form and program details, including a listing of
possible placement sites, go to http://www.twc.edu/students/uschina.shtml.

If you have questions about the program or would like to apply, please contact Meera Roy, a UW adviser and the liaison for The Washington Center, at meroy@u.washington.edu or 206-543-9456 for an appointment. You are also encouraged to attend one of the information session about TWC on Thursday, October 29:

1130-1220pm in Gowen Hall, Room 1A
230-320pm in Denny Hall, Room 206
330-420pm in Sieg Hall, Room 224

This is a fantastic opportunity to do an internship program in D.C. with almost all expenses paid. If you are interested in issues of trade with China, please consider applying.

From Seattle to DC and Back (Part 10)

Continuing my internship with the U.S. Department of Commerce I interned at the Seattle U.S. Export Assistance Center. My internship was from the middle of June until the end of August at the Belltown office.

During the internship I assisted the trade specialists in client file management, research projects and export development programs organized by the trade specialists. Research included trade leads and organizational contacts for companies interested in exporting building and construction materials and services to Africa. For possible Export Achievement Award recipients, I made a client list for each trade specialist for future reference. For a logistics trade delegation from Singapore I research relevant trade and port statistics for Washington state as well as researching various company and trade association contacts for a networking event with this delegation.

Continuing from my internship at the Trade Information Center in Washington, DC the Seattle Export Assistance Center was an entirely different experience. Rather than focusing on country and regional economic data and forecast projects, I became involved in research for local businesses on specific commodity exporting. As intended this internship gave me a much better perception of international trade in Washington State. While doing this internship I was also taking classes at the University of Washington, this experience enhance my time management and multitasking abilities while at the same time I was able to relate my course studies and internship as they reinforced each other by both focusing on international issues.

This internship has reinforced my determination to seek a career in public service as it has exposed me to how Federal Service can work on the local level.

Nathan Gardner
Seattle U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC)
U.S. Department of Commerce

Federal Employee Q&A

As part of the UW Making The Difference campaign, one of our goals is to showcase a variety of options, roles, units and professionals within the federal government. 

We shall highlight UW alumni who currently work for federal agencies, and also profile students who have interned with federal agencies.  Below is a question & answer with one of my friends, Roger.  If you have any questions or comments, send me [Patrick] an email ... chidsey [at] uw.edu.  Cheers! 

********************

What is your current job title, agency name, job location [city] and brief description of what you do and what you like about your work?

I am an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), working for the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington (located in Seattle). We are one of 93 different districts throughout the United States who work under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice. I work in the criminal division and am responsible for investigating and prosecuting those people who commit federal crimes. These offenses can include identity theft, child pornography, drug trafficking, major white-collar fraud, and other interstate crimes. I love the process of investigating major criminal enterprises, trying to determine the truth, and seeking justice for victims. I am fortunate to be able to appear in court often, present cases to juries and ensure that people are fairly held accountable for behavior that hurts the people of the United States. Seeking justice everyday is often an exhausting and difficult task, but one that brings enormous joy and satisfaction.

Where did you get a Bachelors degree & what did you study? Did you go to graduate/professional school, and if so, what did you study & where?

I received my Bachelor’s degree at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. I studied International Affairs (a combination of political science and languages – Russian and Spanish). I attended the University of Washington School of Law where I completed my juris doctorate.

Have you worked for another federal agency or city/county/state agency?

Prior to working for the US Attorney, I worked for 13 years as a county prosecutor, responsible for supervising other deputy prosecutors and prosecuting cases primarily in the sex crimes and domestic violence units.

Advice for students or career changers in conducting a federal job search?

Be honest with yourself about what interests you. Do not seek jobs based on the amount of money you think you will make or the amount of work you will have to do. Seek jobs that thrill you, that make you ache to go to work every day. If you truly enjoy your work, you will do it well. Once you are doing something well, all the financial and other rewards will come your way.

Additional comments about the benefits and/or realities of federal employment?

Those of us in the US Attorney’s Office work hard. Any fantasies about government employees having cushy jobs are quickly put to rest in this office. We hire committed public servants who want to make sure our country remains safe and vibrant. Without the drive to do this kind of work, it can become overwhelming. On the other hand, every time a victim thanks me, or a defendant is held accountable, it is extremely satisfying.

[Seattle Federal Courthouse]

Insider's Perspective - Acclimating to life as a Presidential Management Fellow in DC

When I joined the Peace Corps as a Masters International student from the Evans School of Public Affairs, I fully intended on it being a stepping stone into a traditional international development career: USAID, International Rescue Committee, or Gates Foundation. But plans change in the Peace Corps. Sometime during my two years assisting a small village with ecotourism development while confronting the environmental challenges of balancing subsistence with preservation, I discovered that my passion was not in some abstract form of "helping people," but was instead in working on this specific issue of sustainable development. I also learned that this form of "development" did not necessarily mean traveling around the world. Instead, I felt that I could use my experience working with a community that walks this fine line between providing a better life for their families now and ensuring the same same for their grandchildren in order to make real change where it counts.

So upon returning to the US, I began the process of entering into US Federal Service through the Presidential Management Fellowship. Working for the US Government may not have quite the same sexiness to it as the Gates Foundation, but I firmly believed that the actions taken by the US in terms of domestic environmental policy have a major and real impact on the ability of communities around the world to thrive.

Accepting my current positions as a Policy Analyst at the Department of the Interior did not come without serious consideration. After two hot, muggy years in Central America, I swore that the only way I would ever leave the Pacific Northwest would be kicking and screaming, with a hot cup of Cafe Vida in one hand and a cool pint of Big Time IPA in the other. But life here is good. Though it is no Mt. Rainier, the view of the Washington Monument is pretty awe-inspiring, and while I have yet to find a good coffee shop to sit and relax, the parks and open spaces have exceeded my expectations. And most of all, I am fulfilled by the work that I am doing, helping to inform decisions at the highest level of Interior, protecting our nation's public lands and resources in the best way that I can.

Shella Biallas
Presidential Management Fellow
Office of Policy Analysis
Department of the Interior