Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose my own intern?
The Washington Center will refer the applications of three to five qualified candidates for each position sponsored by the agency. At that point, the program office will have the opportunity to review the candidates and interview those students that they believe are the best fit. If none of these students are suitable for the position, TWC will forward another set of applications. When the agency selects the best candidate, the program office will contact TWC, and TWC will confirm the offer with the student. Ultimately, the final decision to take the internship lies with the student; however, most students are incredibly excited about federal opportunities, so acceptance is almost guaranteed.
In some cases, agencies do their own recruitment for their internship program. As such, agencies sometimes have preselected candidates that they are interested in sponsoring. TWC is happy to facilitate such arrangements, as long as the agencies have no internal policies against this.
How do I refer students to your program?
The Washington Center facilitates various internship programs focusing on many different skill sets and educational backgrounds. Students should visit our website at www.twc.edu [2] to learn more about these programs. If a student is only interested in applying to federally sponsored opportunities, they should be encouraged to visit the Competitive Government Programs section [3].
How does TWC recruit for the students who it places?
The Washington Center has affiliations with approximately 500 academic institutions around the country. Each fall and spring, TWC staff members visit approximately 230 of these institutions each fall and spring to encourage students to participate in internship opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area.
In some cases, federal agencies have unique needs and priorities such as students from minority serving institutions or students with specific academic backgrounds like accounting, business, finance, engineering, human resources, and acquisitions. To accommodate for these needs, TWC does targeted, electronic recruitment to attract students from these backgrounds. TWC also works with each of its federal partners on an individual basis to ensure that these needs are being met.
How much does it cost to host an intern?
The cost to host an intern varies by the individual agency’s relationship with The Washington Center. As different relationships request different service from TWC, the costs do vary slightly. However, TWC does administer a GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract that allows all federal agencies to take advantage of a standard pricing structure with pre-established quantity discounts. Agencies can view our GSA Schedule Brochure.
For unofficial quotes or to discuss pricing options, feel free to email federalrelations@twc.edu [4] or call (202) 238-7900 and ask to speack to someone in federal relations.
What benefits do students get out of the internship?
Through federal sponsorship, students receive a stipend that is distributed throughout the semester along with a stipend that covers the students housing for the semester. Most programs also cover the students travel to the internship location.
What is the conversion rate of students to federal employees?
The average conversion rate for federal internship programs is approximately 7%, according to the Partnership for Public Service. The conversion rate for students who intern in federal agencies through The Washington Center is approximately 25%. We attribute this success to the training spent with agencies and students on strategies for conversion and retention.
Who do I contact for questions?
For more information about costs or about the value-added services that The Washington Center can provide to your office. Feel free to contact The Washington Center’s Federal Relations Team at the information below:
Nick Catanzaro, Manager of Federal Relations
202-238-7995
Jason Giaconia, Senior Operations Coordinator
202-238-7914
How does my organization partner with TWC?
Federal agencies have a variety of options of working with The Washington Center including direct contracts, grants, memorandums of understanding, and even through TWC’s GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract. To learn more visit the Working with TWC page [7].
What other services does TWC provide other than intern recruitment and placement?
Once the students have been recruited and placed at the hosting agency, The Washington Center facilitates a comprehensive, intensive training program for the students exposing them to the federal sector and educating them in the federal hiring process.
Additionally, The Washington Center offers free seminars and training to current federal partners on various topics related to strategic workforce development including:
- Developing a Successful Internship Program
- Calculating a Return on Investment for Workforce Development Programs
- Mentoring and Supporting Students in the Workplace
- Recruiting and On-boarding Techniques
- Working with the Millennial Generation
Why partner with TWC?
The Washington Center is proud of its history of partnering with federal agencies to assist in meeting their workforce development goals. Having 35 years of experience in the field of internships, TWC is uniquely situated to provide this support. TWC is the most prominent facilitator of federal internship programs, managing programs for the Department of Transportation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of the Treasury and various others.
To learn more about the value that TWC can bring to your human capital development goals, check out The TWC Advantage [8].
When do I need to prepare for incoming interns?
The Washington Center usually needs a full 3 months before the start of the internship program to successfully recruit and place students, especially those from specific skill sets or diverse backgrounds that require targeted recruitment. Because there can be delays in the contracting process, it’s suggested that agencies submit their requests 5 months in advance to the date they would like the intern to start.
How long are student interns with my agency?
The Washington Center operates on the academic calendar, mimicking that of most colleges and universities. As such, we facilitate programs year-round. The summer term is a ten week program beginning early June through mid-August. During the fall and spring, TWC facilitates semester long programs that run for 15 weeks and quarter based programs that are 10 weeks long. To view a detailed calendar, please visit the student affairs site.
