Internship Sites
Investing in Future Generations
Linked by the common purpose of developing future leaders, The Washington Center has formed a network of relationships that is mutually beneficial to both the students and internship sites. The Washington Center has worked with thousands of internship sites throughout its 35-year history. Together, we have helped students build rewarding lives and careers.
In addition, internship sites receive many benefits when they partner with The Washington Center:
- Young, eager and energetic interns bring an infusion of fresh ideas, new perspectives and out-of-the-box thinking to your organization.
- TWC’s screening process ensures a pool of highly qualified applicants from which to choose.
- Partnering with TWC allows your organization to develop close relationships with the colleges and universities in TWC’s network.
- Interns provide a ready supply of future employees.
An Academic Semester Centered On An Internship
TWC’s internship program is more than just a place to work, it’s an extraordinary learning experience infused with rigorous academics. Students attend a class, take part in once-in-a-lifetime programming, and receive academic credit at their home institutions.
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[10]View the Internship Sites photo set [11]
Why Invest in Interns
When your organization hosts an intern you not only give that student a place to work, you provide an invaluable chance to actually “test-drive” a career. The inside knowledge that interns gain during their time with your organization will help them make the right career decisions in the future.
You will also be helping your interns develop the practical and professional skills they’ll need to succeed in their future careers. During their time with you, interns will find their minds being opened to all-new interests and opportunities.
Benefits of Mentoring Students
- TWC’s internship program connects organizations with a new generation of diverse talent.
- TWC matches organizations’ specific needs for talent with the right internship candidates.
- Internships are structured and managed to deliver significant value to both students and host organizations.
- TWC has established dedicated relationships with more than 1,000 nonprofit, international, business and government agenices in Washington, D.C. This network has proved invaluable for all concerned.
TWC Interns Stand Apart
A Philosophy of Experiential Education
The Washington Center is dedicated to constructing a strong and enduring network of civic, business and educational partners. Linked by the common purpose of developing future leaders, these far-reaching relationships work tirelessly to ensure students get the most out of their internships. The time spent at The Washington Center helps students build rewarding lives and careers, and helps them turn into tomorrow’s leaders.
Over 35 years, TWC and its partners have created a unique educational center based on a fully integrated mix of professional experience, academic coursework and real-life challenges. These programs bring together dedicated, exceptional college students and committed, accomplished alumni, educators and partners to create an unparalleled experiential learning opportunity.
Program Strengths
- TWC’s network of relationships with over 500 colleges & universities in the U.S. and around the world brings a diverse body of eager, bright young minds to Washington.
- Interns are individually matched to opportunities based on their skills, degree program and interests.
- The internship itself is complemented and enhanced by rigorous academics and unique learning opportunities every week.
- Students typically receive academic credit for their work with The Washington Center and are more likely to be highly motivated, more self-directed and better prepared to take responsibilities seriously than students who are unsure about any reward at the end of their term.
- The academic credit requirement creates a strong link between the intern, the internship site, The Washington Center and the college, increasing the likelihood of a successful experience for all.
- TWC’s strong commitment to diversity helps organizations achieve their goal of ensuring their workplaces represent the rich diversity of the nation.
- The Washington Center is staffed by over 75 professionals providing a variety of services and support for students, including more than 15 full-time program advisors responsible for monitoring students’ internship and professional development.
Student Profile
Interns at The Washington Center come from a wide variety of social backgrounds, academic institutions, and geographic locations. They represent some of the best and brightest young minds in both public and private institutions in the U.S. and around the world:
- Students must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and be second semester sophomores, juniors or seniors, or be recent graduates or graduate students.
- Students come from a variety of majors and each brings a unique perspective to their work
- The average GPA of TWC’s students is 3.3; applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 to be considered.
- These interns have just the right blend of academic training, motivation and character; they receive academic credit, take a rigorous academic course while in Washington and participate in a series of lectures, tours, panels and other coursework to bolster their learning.
The student body here is very diverse. Twenty-five percent of domestic students identify as part of a minority culture. Fifteen percent of the student body are international students and enrolled at a university or college outside the U.S.
How Internships Work
Hosting an intern does more than give students a place to work, it sets the stage for a unique and well-rounded learning experience that develops practical skills, hones students’ interests, and opens young minds to a world of diversity and opportunity. The work place is just one part of TWC’s program.
The InternshipInternships through The Washington Center last 32 to 36 hours a week, usually with part or all of Mondays reserved for supplemental learning activities. Internships sites structure their job openings so that at least 80% of the job is substantive, non-clerical work. Interns may assist attorneys in a trial, evaluate capital markets, help in a radio or television broadcast, write collateral, conduct research, or compile a business plan.
Academic Coursework
One night a week for three hours, students attend an academic course suited to their program area and interests while in Washington, D.C. This coursework is designed to reinforce and extend the educational experience the city and their internship provides. It helps students shape their point of view on themselves, their careers, and the world. Work is assigned throughout the term, resulting in a portfolio summarizing their work and experience.
The Leadership Forum
Mondays are set aside for special programming that strengthens skills, broadens students’ understanding of issues and builds their professional confidence. A variety of special events, workshops, interviews, lectures, seminars, or insider tours of Washington institutions may take place any week. Students are exposed to nationally recognized thought leaders in the private, public and international sectors.
Selected Partners
Over 1,000 nonprofit, international, private sector, and government agencies work with The Washington Center’s interns each year because the program offers quality, diversity, support and selection.
Some partner organizations where TWC has placed interns include:
- Amnesty International
- American Bar Association
- Bank of America
- CNN
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Climate Institute
- Council on Hemispheric Affairs
- Constituency for Africa
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Justice
- Department of Labor
- Department of State
- Department of the Treasury
- Department of Veterans Affair
- Embassy of Canada
- Embassy of Mexico
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Trade Commission
- Foundation for Economic Trends
- General Electric
- General Services Administration
- Hudson Institute
- The Library of Congress
- The Heritage Foundation
- Institute for International Education
- Inter American Economic Council
- International Association of Women Judges
- Meet the Press
- Middle East Institute
- National Defense University
- National Geographic
- National Museum of the American Indian
- Organization of American States
- Peace Corps
- The Shaw Group
- Small Business Administration
- Smithsonian Institution
- Social Security Administration
- Wachovia Securities
- The Washington Post
- The World Bank
- The White House
- UBS
- U.S. Congress
- U.S. Postal Service
- Woodrow Wilson Center
Getting Started
Hosting an intern is a prime way to make a difference in the lives and education of the next generation. You can set the stage for this well-rounded learning experience any time of year; TWC’s programs run for 15 weeks in the Fall and Spring, and 10 weeks in the Summer. Please be sure to review the requirements for internships’ structure [13], supervisor [14], and information on financial support [15].
New Partners
Organizations that are interested in hosting an intern and have questions are welcome to download and complete this Internship Site Interview [16] to begin the process or you can submit a request for interns online [17]. Return the form to the addresses below and one of TWC’s staff will be in touch soon after.
By email to internships@twc.edu and by fax to (202) 238-7700.
Current Partners
Managers from organizations with an existing TWC relationship can use our Intern Connect system below to create a profile or log into an existing one, post an internship and track student applications. Once the internship is approved a TWC staff member will be in touch.
To complete a printable form, download this intern request form and return it to TWC by email to internships@twc.edu or by fax to 202.238.7700.
Internship Structure Requirements
The Washington Center’s goal is to provide an avenue for students to gain hands-on experience in professional work environments that relate to their academic and career interests. The program is structured to benefit both the student intern and the sponsoring organization. To ensure that the minimum standards are met to grant academic credit for an internship, The Washington Center has established the following evaluation criteria for internship site sponsors.
The organization agrees to comply with the following as conditions for hosting interns from The Washington Center:
- Comply with all local, state and federal labor laws.
- Have a Non-discrimination and Sexual Harassment policy in place.
- Provide the intern with a safe work environment.
- Provide the intern with a schedule composed of no less than 80% substantive, non-clerical work.
- Ensure that the intern reports to work for 32–36 hours per week, depending on program enrollment.
- Provide the intern with information regarding the internship site’s policies and procedures regarding dress code, professional, legal and ethical behavior, emergency preparedness, etc., and be available to respond to any questions the intern may have.
- Provide the intern with an orientation to the office and the intern’s position along with training the intern on the use of office equipment.
- Provide the intern with a desk and computer and other necessary tools to effectively complete internship responsibilities.
- Participate in a minimum of one site visit in coordination with The Washington Center to discuss the intern performance and conduct additional meetings if requested.
Intern Supervisor Guidelines
Supervisors can expect a serious student who is interested in the best possible experience while in the nation's capital. Therefore it is important for an internship site supervisor to carefully plan and pace the intern's learning and work experience to help students hone the critical communication, analytical, teamwork, technical and other skills employers want over the course of the entire semester.
The Washington Center expects an internship site supervisor to:
- Adhere to the internship structure requirements [13], including providing a schedule of 32-36 hours a week composed of at least 80% substantive non-clerical work.
- Provide the intern with an orientation to the office and the intern’s position along with training the intern on the use of office equipment.
- Provide the intern with ample instructions for completing projects and all appropriate feedback thereon.
- Review and sign the intern’s final Individual Development Plan (IDP) by the stated due date.
- Participate in a minimum of one site visit in coordination with The Washington Center to discuss the intern’s performance and conduct additional meetings if requested.
- Work with the intern to establish and implement a work plan according to the intern’s Individual Development Plan (IDP) and that is in alignment with the Internship Site’s mission and needs.
- Allow flexibility to avoid scheduling conflicts with mandatory TWC events.
- Notify the intern’s program advisor in a timely and reasonable manner if any problems arise, particularly those that might result in the dismissal/termination of the intern.
- Provide written feedback and assessment of the intern’s work including a final grade, by the stated due dates, through the use of the intern’s mid-term assessment final evaluation.
Financial Support
Students receive academic credit from their home institutions for a semester or summer spent interning through The Washington Center. Students pay a program fee to participate as well as a housing fee if they choose to stay in TWC-provided apartments. Some internship sites provide a small stipend to their interns for expenses; others may provide scholarship support to assist in tuition or housing costs. Financial support or payment is not required to hire TWC’s interns.
How Financial Aid Works
Financial support from The Washington Center is awarded separately and is not necessarily need-based. When a student is accepted, they will automatically be considered for any financial assistance for which they are eligible. Awards include support from internship sites, if any, plus state scholarships and private awards.
Some assistance (including program scholarships and any matches of state scholarships by TWC) must be applied toward TWC’s housing fees. Such awards are not cumulative. If a student is eligible for multiple awards, they will receive only the largest such award for which they are eligible.
Placement-provided assistance is first used to cover any housing assistance otherwise guaranteed by TWC, and then to cover any balance remaining on the student's bill. If the placement-provided assistance covers the full cost of a student's program and housing and provides a weekly stipend, the student will not be eligible for additional scholarships or state scholarships.
Mentor Resources
The Washington Center highly values its relationship with internship supervisors and mentors. Its goal is to continue investing in and developing these relationships for the mutual benefit of students, the internship sites and the organization. Available resources include an Internship Site Handbook, New Supervisor Orientation, the Internship Sites Newsletter and a staff readily available to assist as needed.
Internship Supervisor Advisory CommitteeTWC’s Internship Supervisor Advisory Committee was formed to engage a committed and thoughtful group of site supervisors in planning additional services and outreach options for all the internship sites that affiliate with The Washington Center. In conjunction with the staff at TWC, this group serves as a sounding board, advisory group, and planning committee.
Internship Sites NewsletterThis newsletter includes:
- Insights on topics including “Managing Millennials,” “How Interns Impact the Workforce,” “Best Practices in Supervision,” or “Tips on Final Evaluations.”
- Spotlights on an internship site or supervisor as a way of offering “press” and recognition to the groups that TWC partners with.
- Inspirational stories of student experience as well as supervisor or site experiences that have transformed the business, the student, or the manager.
- Surveys to learn what is important to internship sites.
Host Interns
New Internship Site Registration Form [20]
This registration form is the first step in the screening process for new internship sites. The Internship Management Team will review your registration form to assure compliance with its evaluation criteria, and follow-up with a phone call and/or visit to your site to complete the evaluation process.
