Political Science Association Internship Info Session

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Political Science AssociationInternship Info
Session

• October 8th 2003

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Internships

• The Basics
• Programs Through Penn State
• Outside the University
• Receiving Credit for Your Internship
• Student Experiences

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A Word of Caution

• This session is NOT intended to tell you all
  there is to know about securing an internship
• Department Resources
• Peer Consultants
• It is up to YOU to find the internship that best
  suits you and secure a position.

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Before You Get Started

• Is an internship right for you?
• Can you afford it?
• Housing
• Food
• Transportation
• Dont let costs be prohibitive, but keep in mind
  that most internships are unpaid

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Why an Internship?

• Explore Jobs in Your Field
• Apply What Youve Learned
• Gain Practical Experience
• Get a New Perspective

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Some Things To Remember

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Interviewing
• http//www.sa.psu.edu/career/

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Questions To Ask Yourself

• What interests you?
• What type of work do you want to be doing?
• Research
• Activist/Hands On
• Clerical

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Questions To Ask Yourself

• What type of organization would you like to work
  for?
• Government
• Non-Profit
• Private

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Questions to Ask Yourself

• Where do you want to work?
• Close to home?
• Big city? (Washington, New York, etc.)
• Harrisburg

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Important To Find Out

• Does the employer have an internship program?
• What sort of work will you be doing?
• What percentage of your work will be clerical?
• ASK QUESTIONS
• Do you know of anyone else who has worked at that
  site?

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Penn State Programs

• The Washington Program (with the College of
  Communications)
• The Harrisburg Semester

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The Washington Program

• Political Science Department and the College of
  Communications
• Year Round
• Application Deadlines

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The Washington Program

• Admission to Program
• Juniors and Seniors Outstanding Sophomores Will
  Be Considered
• Resume
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Transcript
• Essays

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The Washington Program

• Housing
• Internship Placement
• http//www.psu.edu/dept/comm/wash/

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A Few Places to Start

• Idealist.Org
• A project of Action Without Borders, this site
  provides an extensive list of internship
  possibilities without non-profit and community
  organizations.
• http//www.idealist.org

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A Few Places to Start

• Foreign Policy Association
• This site has a job board which includes
  internship possibilities which a variety of
  agencies and organizations that are involved in
  foreign affairs.
• http//www.fpa.org

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A Few Places to Start

• Partnership for Public Service
• Promotes government service, especially for
  students and recent college graduates
• Lists of internships with the Executive Branch,
  State Department, and the Smithsonian Institute
• http//www.ourpublicservice.org

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Internship Placement Sites

• The Washington Center
• Internship placement, academic courses, and
  housing in the D.C. area
• http//www.twc.edu
• Institute for Experiential Learning
• Internship placement, seminars, and housing
• Has placements with foreign embassies in
  Washington
• http//www.ielnet.org/index.html

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Internship Placement Sites

• Everett Public Service Internships
• Internship placement in Washington, D.C., New
  York, and other locations
• Accepted students receive 230 a week stipend
• Does not guarantee housing
• http//www.everettinternships.org

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Other Things To Consider

• Interning with Congress
• Law Firms
• Local Opportunities

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Financial Aid

• College of Liberal Arts Student Enrichment
  Scholarships
• http//laus.la.psu.edu/scholarships/
• Undergraduate Fellowships Office
• http//www.ufo.psu.edu/
• Department of Political Science
• Look for periodic e-mails from Dr. Berkman and
  check outside of 111 Burrowes

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Student Experiences
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In Closing

• Use the information provided as a starting point,
  not the definitive source
• Have questions? Visit the Peer Consultants in 111
  Burrowes
• Find an internship that fits you
• Look for updates at http//www.clubs.psu.edu/up/p
  olisciassociation/internships/

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