Internships

Prior to arrival in Washington, D.C., students will work closely with the Washington University Career Center and the Director of the Washington, D.C. Programs to find and secure an internship. These collaborations will help students identify their interests, find internship possibilities relevant to their interests and understand the application process. Students create their own resumes, cover letters, and/or application essays (under the supervision of these advisors) and work to secure their own internship for the semester.

While in D.C., students are required to attend their internship four days a week, Monday through Thursday, as if it were a real full-time job. This means that students are expected to act professionally and in accordance will all office policies, procedures and customs set forth by the office in which they are interning, including but not limited to: standard work day hours, dress code, confidentiality protocol, etc.

Internships will be jointly supervised by an internship coordinator or other staff member of the internship location and the Washington, D.C. Programs director. The Washington, D.C. Programs coordinator may ask to see samples of work from the internship as well as pre-assigned journal entries about the internship experience or other assignments to monitor progress throughout the semester.

Interning in Washington, D.C. provides students with the opportunity to make vital connections in the field of their choice. These connections can be used as part of a network for future career opportunities, letters of recommendation, or for future internships in the field. In addition, students may find connections in other related or unrelated fields for future career opportunities through their experiences in Washington, D.C.

In the unlikely event that a student needs to be removed from an internship site for any reason, the Washington, D.C. Programs director will work closely with the student to determine the best course of action. Students are encouraged to voice concerns with their internship to Professor Jackson, who supervises the internship process. In conjunction with Professor Jackson, a course of action relating to the internship, on-site supervisor, and campus advisors will be created. Students should also work with Professor Jackson in the case that serious problems arise, including workplace harassment.