It's like the Ath...

DC  Talks and Special Events

For me, finding an internship that would allow me to attend special events in DC like conferences  think-tank talks, Supreme Court hearings and Senate hearings was really important. And, while I may have stuck gold with finding a flexible and understanding internship supervisor, there is really so much going on in DC that there will always be an opportunity to attend interesting events - and if you develop a strong enough reputation in your office you may be able to ask for a morning off.  

There is a lot to learn in DC and a lot of brilliant people wanting to share their knowledge. In addition to listening to great speakers, DC events are great networking opportunities. When you do meet great people, don't be shy about being a CMC student - DC maybe the only place outside of Claremont where CMC is a recognized and respected institution. 

Photo with Gov. Peter Shumlin of Vermont after he spoke at the annual States-Solutions Conference in DC sponsored by Microsoft-POLITICO. After making at least 5 Ben & Jerry's plugs during his conversation the Governor spent some time in the lobby chatting with guests before meeting with the other Democratic governors and Pres. Obama for lunch at the White House.

Students: Sign up for all the wonderful DC list serves and event notifications you can find (linktank is a great starter) and attend events - some of them have free food...

Supervisors: Be flexible? 

The Nine-to-Five, Professional, Interning Part of the Day & Recommendations for Future Students

The Nine-to-Five, Professional, Interning Part of the Day 

In the Spring 2013 group we have a internship placements ranging from non-profit organizations, embassies and government offices to policy advocacy, think-tank and campaign finance groups. 

• Non-profits: Ashoka, Children's Defense Fund and Human Rights Watch
• Government: Embassy of Canada, National Endowment for the Arts, and White House
• Lobbying groups: No Labels and Wexler & Walker Public Policy Advocates
• Think-tanks: The Atlantic Council and The Heritage Foundation
• Campaign Fundraising: Angerholzer Team (a super secretive Dem. campaign finance group). 

Although we haven't been in DC long, we have had sometime to enjoy the perks of interning here. Eating free dinners at The Heritage Foundation, getting paid at Wexler & Walker, receiving airtime at the White House, and traveling to NYC with No Labels all add to make interning in DC unlike an internship anywhere else in country. Along with the awesome perks, many of us have also had some interesting projects. Reyn, for example, says the "most interesting project [at Wexler & Walker, so far] was working with my boss to help a client with a public relations issue." Although vague in his response, we trust he's enjoying his work. Henry, who is working for the Atlantic Council, was able to provide a bit more detail about his favorite assignment: 

My favorite assignment so far was drafting a memo on a corporation with whom the Council wishes to initiate a substantive partnership. It was fun to learn about the corporation and tease out its reasons for being interested in the Council's work. I have also enjoyed helping out with event preparation, mainly by composing bios on the keynote speakers (who are always fascinating figures in US foreign policy) and drafting invitations.

Like Reyn and Henry, Elena has enjoyed "the opportunity to be able to participate in research and events that remind Americans of our founding principles and their continuing importance in today's policies" while interning at The Heritage Foundation. Unlike most years we do not have any interns working in Congressional offices and we have chosen to break tradition in our living arrangements.

Internship Recommendations for Future Students

Finding an internship:

1. Stay in constant contact with Dr. Spalding and Professor Pitney 
   - DC Survival Tip: Stay on Prof. Pitney and Dr. Spalding good-side. They are both very well connected and knowledgeable about DC life, internships and housing.
   
   
2. Use Professor Pitney's website and get on his internship email list serve
   - Before meeting with Prof. Pitney, be sure to take a look at his DC Internship and Housing Website. Getting on the Pitney Internship Email Serve will also provide you with updates on new internship postings
   
   
3. Talk to anyone and everyone who has knowledge of DC
   - "Professors and program alumni can help you come up with ideas about the types of places you might want to work or help you narrow down your options. Talking to multiple people about their experiences or their suggestions can help you see the situation from a different perspective or learn about great opportunities you had not originally considered." - Elena

Keeping your internship: 

1. You are one of many DC interns
   - There are a lot of interns who come through DC semester after semester, if you want to make an impression work hard, stay humble and be professional

2. Take pride in all the work you do, even if, you are just stapling packets together
   - No matter how meaningless a task may seem, there is a reason for doing it so do it well

3. Always use the 15 Minute Rule & Arrive at work ready to work
   - Be mindful of commute time: the metro is not perfect and buses are even less perfect.

4. DC's a small and highly connected city - Be careful of what you say in public
   - “Don't say anything in public that you don't want printed on the headline of the Washington Post, with your name next to it” - Dr. Spalding

5. Have something interesting to say when your stuck in the elevator with the executive members of internship place

- In the past week, I was caught in the elevator three times with the founder of the organization I am interning with. While most people at the organization would envy the precious 45-60 seconds I had with him each time we were in the elevator, I was mortified. On the first elevator ride, he stared at me waiting to hear something profound and enlightening (as he does to all people). In stead I panicked and we talked about the potential later that night snow. The next morning, to my luck, we shared the elevator again; and, again we chatted about snow. (Just to note, this was in February and there hadn't been snow on the ground in weeks.) Thoroughly embarrassed, I told my supervisor about my dilemma. After laughing at me for a few seconds (maybe a few minutes), he let me in on a secrete: everyone struggles with the infamous quest-for-enlightenment stare. Although I didn't get much useful advice from my supervisor, I decide to take a stand against shameful elevator rides. Thankfully, later that day I was invited to sit-in on a board meeting in the Founder's office. The meeting not only allowed me to gain insight into the direction of the organization, but I also got to glance around the room and learn a bit about who our Founder is beyond his title. On our third elevator ride, we discussed hiking (one of his favorite pastimes), which he seemed much more engaged in. Although I haven't had my moment to say something inspiring, at least we weren't talking about snow.

Bursting out of the Claremont Bubble (In a Good Way)

Bursting out of the Claremont Bubble (In a Good Way)

Initially, the fear of leaving the friends, dining halls and Sushi Cruise can be overwhelming. The combination of emotions that go along with moving to DC, getting an internship, and joining real-life build into a sort of finals-week-esque mixture of excitement, suspense, and sleepy-eyed frenzy. Thankfully, with the support of friends, parents, CMC staff and a jam-packed Orientation Week program participants soon find there is no time for looking back. 

(Distance from Green Beach to the National Mall 2,638 miles)

Leaving for CMC and Pomona in order to work a full-time internships and attend class full-time may seem ludacris to some students, but for the Type-A students the program attracts it's a perfect fit. Knowing that we would be embarking on the busiest semester of our undergraduate years, we had a verity of reasons for wanting to come to DC. Some of us wanted to explore a new city and network for post-graduation. Henry, a junior at CMC, says he came to DC because he "was very interested in learning the role played by think tanks and learning more about the world". While other DC interns wanted to find out if politics, government, think-tanks and non-profits were career options they could seriously consider after graduation. Ultimately, we were driven by a desire to take part in something new, challenging and fun. 

Although the semester is only about one month in, many of us have already become comfortable with grocery shopping, paying bills, getting to work each morning, and occasionally having a 'Washington Moment'. 

Stay tuned in for more on our DC lives: Upcoming blogs include where we work, live and spend our free time.