Starting a brand new internship at The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminar (TWC) is exciting for any new student. Whether that student is traveling domestically or internationally to participate in either a 10-week or 15-week internship, a few things are always guaranteed:
- A TWC intern will get to experience the new, unchartered territory of a big city like Washington D.C.
- A TWC intern will meet people with similar interests in one of the 12 programs TWC offers each semester
- A TWC intern will gain unique work experience that they would otherwise not obtain by remaining solely on their undergraduate campus
This year, over 400 students began their journey at TWC with Spring Commencement, which took place on January 24th, 2012. The commencement offered by TWC helps ease each and every student into their internship before they even leave for their first exciting day on the job.
The “Top 10 Things You Should Know Before You Begin Your Internship”TWC Spring 2012 Orientation began with a presentation on the “Top 10 Things You Should Know Before You Begin Your Internship,” delivered by Chris Mason, the Senior Director of Student Services. This presentation was created with each TWC intern in mind, in order to make sure that they are “ready and prepared” for anything thrown their way. The list of 10 things included:
- Making a Good First Impression
- Tips on Professional Attire
- Networking
- How to Maintain a Work/Life Balance
- Technology Do’s and Don’ts
- Communication Skills
- Happy Hour Culture
- Attitude
- Competency
- Having Fun in the D.C. Area
Civic Engagement ProjectsIn an attempt to strengthen the civic engagement pillar within the DC community, TWC offers each intern an opportunity to participate in one of 5 civic engagement projects. Andrea Barron, the Director of Civic Engagement, presented on the projects, which are being used as part of an initiative to “encourage students to become better citizens of America” and help them “improve their social and political skills.”
The projects being offered this semester include:
- Global Women Rights: students learn about global women’s issues, such as child marriage, and then advocate for relevant legislation on Capitol Hill
- Immigrant Rights: students learn about the challenges and opportunities facing immigrants and then become involved in a direct service and advocacy project, including interacting with immigrants and their children and meeting with policy experts
- Israeli-Palestinian Peace: students learn about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, concentrate on contemporary developments in U.S policy, and visit congressional offices to support a two-state solution
- Homelessness and Poverty: students volunteer with non-profits such as So Others Might Eat (Some), a 40-year old social service agency, and the National Coalition for the Homeless. Students become involved in an educational advocacy service project where they interact with homeless advocates
- Veterans: a new project developed this semester, students are exposed to four issues concerning veterans: education, employment, health care and homelessness. Students have the opportunity to work with new and old veterans, paralyzed veterans, and veterans that served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Students also complete a project where they advocate for legislation benefits for veterans and their families
Students were also given the opportunity to brainstorm and create their own civic engagement project.
TWC Alumni PanelSpring commencement also included a special alumni panel that took questions from all of the new students. Words of wisdom were offered and the audience was given the opportunity to ask TWC alumni about how they eventually reached their path to success. The panel this semester included:
- Chad Creasey (1996), a special agent for the FBI
- David Le (2005), a patent examiner and president of the TWC DC Alumni Regional Committee (ARC)
- Jenny Jones (2010), a development associate and database/contributions manager for the Trust for the National Mall
The alumni panel offered invaluable advice to the students that included:
- “Playing to your strengths”
- “Becoming more comfortable in your environment and surroundings”
- “Never giving up”
- “Pushing through barriers and walls to achieve your dreams”
- “Making connections through networking”
- “Staying true to yourself”
TWC is excited about its new cohort of TWC interns and cannot wait to welcome over 400 new students into their family. TWC hopes that each student has a unique and transformational experience that they can eventually use and transfer into both their personal life and work endeavors.
