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Federal Programs

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, information technology, human resources, environmental studies, health sciences, public administration and many more. Agencies are also looking to increase the diversity within their workforces by recruiting Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, African American students, as well as students with disabilities. Students in priority majors and students with diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Washington Center has several initiatives through which students may intern in Federal agencies. Altogether, each year, federal agencies provide financial assistance to approximately 20 percent of students to offset our housing and/or program fees. Awards differ by agency and initiative. In general they range from a small stipend to a full scholarship covering program fess, housing fees, travel fees and a weekly stipend.

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 Government Initiative American Indian and Alaska Native Initiative EPA Environmental Internship Department of Commerce Washington Headquarters Services / Department of Defense Summer Internship Program Internship Opportunities With The U.S. Coast Guard Federal Aviation Administration / Department of Transportation Internship Program

Federal Government Initiative

The Federal Government Initiative places a wide range of students in a variety of settings within the US government.

Sample Placements Include:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of Commerce / Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Aviation Administration
U.S. Department of the Treasury
U.S. Department of Labor
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Decisions as to placement and level of financial assistance are made by each agency.

Placements with some federal agencies require an early application to The Washington Center. Some of the reasons include, but are not limited to, the need for a security clearance which will be opened by the respective agency only after an offer is made to, and accepted by, the student and others because a separate application is required. Your application must be in our office and complete, with all required supporting documents, by the date specified by each agency (see below) to be considered for those placements.

American Indian and Alaska Native Initiative

The Washington Center's American Indian/Alaska Native Initiative prepares Native American Indian 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 American Indians/ Alaska Natives to consider an internship and possible career with the federal government.
Identify and acquaint students with positive American Indian/ Alaska 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 American Indian/ Alaska Native students in professional networking opportunities.
Encourage students to contribute to society through service.

Application Requirements

Be enrolled members 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 application by deadline noted on the application. Applications are welcome 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. 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 American Indian/ Alaska Native Initiative, please contact Machell Louis at Machellk@twc.edu or by phone at 202-238-7929.

EPA Environmental Internship

In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began a relationship with The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars to establish internships focusing on environmental issues.

The internship has attracted a diverse group of students from all over the country with an array of majors, including science, political science, computer science, biology, chemistry, international relations, and many more.

The internship has provided top students with trainee positions in the environmental field as part of a comprehensive experiential education program. EPA provides orientation, mentoring, resume writing, and many other services to the interns. Additionally, they are offered lectures from prominent leaders in government, and an opportunity to network in the nation's capital. The students are assigned placements in all of EPA's program offices, including air and radiation, solid waste, water, small and disadvantaged business, pesticides, the Administrator's office, as well as many others.

EPA Yearbook - Developing Tomorrow's Environmental Leaders

Department of Commerce, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Internship Program

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is working in partnership with the Department of Commerce’s (DOC) postsecondary internship program to aid and promote experiential training to foster future employment within the Department of Commerce and the federal government in general. Students participate in an internship at DOC, and as a result, gain relevant skills and knowledge, develop a professional network of contacts, and explore future career options. Most positions are in the U.S Patent and Trademark Office.

Students must be U.S. citizens with at least a 2.75 GPA, majoring in Engineering (Electrical Engineering is preferred). There may be some positions available for IT and Law students. Students typically receive academic credit from their home institution. Selected students will participate in The Washington Center’s Leadership Forum events and academic course. Additionally, students will receive housing in the Washington, D.C. metro area, a stipend, weekly transportation allowance, and a reimbursement for their travel expenses to and from D.C.

To apply, students should fill out the Online Application. On the application, student should select Option 2 for the Government Scholarship Program when prompted, then choose Department of Commerce from the drop-down menu.

Washington Headquarters Services / Department of Defense Summer Internship Program

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is pleased to announce the continuation of the summer internship program with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Students selected for this highly competitive internship program will have the opportunity to intern full-time during the 10-week summer term. The program gives enrolled, degree-seeking students the opportunity to develop skills, make professional contacts, build their resumes, and explore future career opportunities in the Department of Defense. Examples of work completed by past interns include analysis of major weapon systems, statistical analysis of budget submissions, updating and maintaining departmental websites, or assisting with military to military bilateral relations.

Undergraduate DoD interns will receive a weekly stipend for the 10-week program. If students choose to receive academic credit from their university through The Washington Center, they will be required to complete additional academic requirements, including an academic course, participation in our Leadership Forum and a portfolio. Students receiving credit may be required to pay a partial program fee, depending on their university’s affiliation agreement with TWC. To find out more about these options, contact info@twc.edu.

Additionally, limited positions are available for faculty members to participate in the Minority Institute Faculty Fellow Program. Faculty should fill out the DoD application (to download, see link below) and omit sections that pertain only to students.

Students must be degree-seeking US citizens enrolled at a college or university with at least a 2.5 GPA. Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply. Desired majors include: Engineering, Computer Science/IT, Business, Economics, and Math/Statistics.

Applications are due by November 30, 2008.

To Apply Download DoD Application

U.S. Coast Guard Internship Program

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is working in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard to provide an academic internship program for university students interested in gaining hands-on work experience with the U.S. Coast Guard. Internships are currently located in Norfolk and Portsmouth, VA, Seattle, WA, Washington, D.C., Cape May, NJ, New London, CT, and could potentially be at any Coast Guard base in the nation. Students are encouraged to earn academic credit through their home institution based on the curriculum administered by The Washington Center.

The program components include:

36-hour work week. Students are required to work Monday - Friday (TWC recommends students earn 3 credit hours for the internship component).
Participation in workshops arranged by The Washington Center to develop competency in Coast Guard related issues, and further develop communication and presentation skills. (TWC recommends students earn 3 credit hours for the weekly workshops).
A final oral presentation highlighting how the student was able to integrate academic training with hands-on experience.
Completion of an academic internship portfolio that demonstrates the learning and development of the internship experience in a summative and reflective body of work. (TWC recommends students earn 3 credit hours for the portfolio assignments).
Attendance of a mandatory orientation program in Washington, D.C. before the start of the internship program.

Students must be a second semester sophomore, junior, or senior and be enrolled at least part-time in an accredited 2 or 4 year university. Graduate students are also welcomed and encouraged to apply. U.S. citizenship is required. Housing accommodations will be arranged by The Washington Center and will be covered by the stipend provided by the Coast Guard. Students will earn a weekly stipend to cover living expenses. If students already have housing accommodations, the weekly stipend will increase.

Download Application

Contact Nick Barrett for more information.

Federal Aviation Administration / Department of Transportation Internship Program

The Washington Center is pleased to announce the continuation of our internship program with the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Selected students will have the opportunity to intern for FAA offices and participate in an experiential training program focused on professional achievement, leadership, and civic engagement. Student participants will gain relevant skills and knowledge, explore career options within the Department of Transportation and other federal agencies, and develop a greater awareness of the role of the federal government. Internship sites are in Washington, D.C. and regional FAA offices.

A majority of positions are for engineering majors. However, there may be some positions available for students with a background in business or computer science. Students with diverse backgrounds and students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Selected students will receive funding cover the cost of The Washington Center program and housing fee, as well as provide a weekly stipend and travel assistance.

For more information, please download the Federal Aviation Administration/Department of Transportation Internship Program description

To apply online click here. When applying, select option 2 and the “Department of Transportation” from the drop down box labeled “Government Scholarship Programs.”