Federal Opportunities

The federal government is aggressively seeking new talent. Two hundred and fifty thousand jobs are expected to open up during the next five years as fifty percent of the current federal workforce will be eligible to retire. As a result, internships with the federal government give students a great opportunity to test-drive careers with, and to have their skills seen by, the world's largest employer. In fact, many of our interns are offered full-time positions with the federal government upon graduation.

Federal agencies are looking for a multitude of skill-sets. Priority majors include engineering, business, accounting, finance, computer science, information technology, mathematics and statistics, but applicants from all academic backgrounds are welcomed. Agencies are also looking to increase the diversity within their workforces, so students from diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. 

The Washington Center has several initiatives through which students may intern in federal agencies. Please review the information below and be sure to contact us if you have any questions.

Please review the information below on federal funding and also be sure to review the links above which highlight the other types of financial assistance offered through The Washington Center.

Federal Internships within the Main D.C. Programs

Many of our students hope to pursue careers in public service. Washington Center advisors working with those interns who have applied to the Main D.C. Programs will help students to be considered at a range of sites related to their interests. These may include governmental, nonprofit, for-profit and international organizations. Federal internship options are always popular, and D.C. has a whole host of opportunities including, but not limited to:

• U.S. Department of Justice
• U.S. Department of Education
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Marshals Service
• U.S. Department of the Interior
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• National Defense University
• Federal Trade Commission
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Congressional Offices
• Small Business Administration
• among many others…

A number of agencies may require application during our Early Deadline Range. Some very popular agencies, including the White House and the U.S. Department of State will consider TWC interns who apply using a separate application posted on their respective websites. TWC advisors will inform interested students about the steps they’ll need to take in order to become candidates at these agencies.

Students accepted into one of the Main Program Areas can also be considered for the full set of “Competitive Government Program” internships listed in the section below. They will need to work with their advisors to ensure that their materials are referred to those agencies when relevant positions are available. Some federal positions provide students with funding to help offset their program and housing costs for participation in The Washington Center.

Click on the menu bar at left to learn about the eligibility requirements and application procedures for the Main D.C. Programs.

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Competitive Government Programs

The Washington Center’s Office of Federal Relations works to fill funded positions at a subset of federal agencies including, but not limited to:

1. U.S. Department of Defense
2. U.S. Coast Guard
3. Federal Aviation Administration
4. Internal Revenue Service
5. U.S. Department of the Treasury
6. U.S. Department of Commerce
7. National Archives and Records Administration
8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Positions are most often available during the summer term. Accepted participants receive significant financial assistance and access to furnished housing if needed.  The amount of this assistance varies based on factors such as credit status, class standing and housing arrangements. Accepted students also participate in a wide variety of activities outside of their internship as part of the Competitive Government Program.  Activities may include career workshops, field trips to various federal agencies, conducting research, analyzing professionalism in the workplace and other elements specific to the internship placement.

Most positions will be located in Washington, D.C., but some federal agencies also offer the opportunity for regional internship programs.

Qualifications:

1. United States citizenship required;
2. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program with a GPA of 2.5 or above (many programs require at least a 3.0 or 3.5 in order to be eligible);
3. Undergraduate students from affiliated universities must receive approval from their campus liaison in order to participate;
4. Undergraduate students from non-affiliated universities must seek approval from their campus if they would like to receive academic credit;
5. Candidates should be available for the full term of the internship (summer 2010—10 weeks beginning May 26);
6. Students should have demonstrated experience and/or strong interest in working for the federal government.

Competitive Government Programs often call for candidates from the fields of business, computer science, mathematics, statistics and engineering, but candidates from all academic backgrounds are welcome to submit an application.  Students of diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Application Procedures:

All students who apply to The Washington Center’s main internship programs will also be eligible for internship positions within the Competitive Government Program.  If students are only interested in being considered for federal government internships that offer financial assistance, a separate Competitive Government Program application should be used.  In order to be eligible for this option, students must submit an online application. Once a username and password have been created, students should select “Apply Now,” and choose “Internship” from the drop-down menu.  Under “Personal Information,” students should select the Competitive Government Program option.  Applicants are encouraged to select more than one agency, as many agencies will have similar positions available.  Students must also submit official transcripts to The Washington Center. There is no application fee required for students applying under the Competitive Government Program option.

The final deadline to submit applications for the Summer Term is March 1st, 2010. Applications will be considered for internship positions on a rolling basis after that date.

Contact info@twc.edu or 800-486-8921 with questions, please and specify that you’re interested in the Competitive Government Programs.

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American Indian and Alaska Native Initiative

The Washington Center's Alaska Native/American Indian Initiative prepares Native students from colleges and universities across the country to assume leadership positions in the public sector. Students participate in internships tailored to their interests, interact with successful government representatives, and develop leadership skills.

The Washington Center partners with tribal colleges and tribal nations across the country to identify and recruit top students.

Initiative Goals

• Encourage Alaska Natives/American Indians to consider an internship and possible career with the federal government.
• Identify and acquaint students with positive Native role models.
• Help students define personal, academic and professional goals, and integrate academic theory with professional experience for a deeper understanding of public policy formation and students' roles in that process.
• Engage Native students in professional networking opportunities.
• Encourage students to contribute to society through service.

Application Requirements

• Be an enrolled member of a federally or state recognized tribe to qualify for the program.
• Specify interest in this initiative on The Washington Center's general application.
• Submit an application by the proper deadline. Applications are welcomed after that date, but will be processed on a space-available basis.
• Students are placed in federal agencies and receive a full scholarship to cover the program and housing fees as well as a weekly stipend.  Students are officially accepted into the program under this initiative only when an offer from an agency has been received and accepted. 

American Indian and Alaska Native students who wish to intern outside of the federal government or who are not offered a position through this initiative may still be accepted in the general Washington Center program.  However, program and housing fees apply.

If you are interested the Alaska Native/American Indian Initiative, please contact Danielle Mahan at Danielle.Mahan@twc.edu or by phone at 202-238-7967.

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