PC Internships

PC Internships |  Schedule and Programs |  College Credit |  Application Process

Carefully selected from colleges and universities from across the United States and around the world, PC interns gain valuable work experience in a fast-paced and challenging environment that places them in direct contact with students, Volunteer Instructors and dynamic speakers all in the epicenter of American politics, Washington, D.C.

Career Development

As part of your internship, you will have the opportunity to learn from and interact with influential and experienced Washington D.C. professionals working in government and industry. Moreover, interning in Washington, D.C. allows you the opportunity not only to network with other interns from the United States and abroad, but to build friendships and relationships that will last a lifetime. The PC Internship Program has been the springboard for congressional and government internships and employment. Participants are also eligible to earn The Congressional Award.

Qualifications

College students who have experience working with teenagers, have completed at least two semesters of college by January 2008 (actual attendance at your institution of higher education - this is not based on credit hours completed), have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and are currently enrolled in a four-year degree program may apply (recent college graduates may also apply). Students majoring in political science, communications, history, education, journalism (print and photo in particular), business or hotel-restaurant management, sociology or psychology will find these internships beneficial, but all majors are welcome.
Summer Intern Team

BACK ROW (Left to Right): Jovian Irvin, Dex Torricke-Barton, Jeb Bush (Logistics Manager), Chris Sotardi, Annabelle Ombac, John Walsh, Marisa Brantley FRONT ROW: Steve Schlenk, Leslie Rogal, Maggie Valvo, Alexander Heit, Anya Kozlova, Meenu Perera, Andrea Williams, Lacey Moore

Winter Intern Team

BACK ROW (Left to Right) : Vanessa Wilson, Stefany Hasbun Salinas, Michelle Umansky, Carli Urbanic, Nina Borysova, Melvin Thomas, Amy Guess, Kyle Prawdzik, Lorna Ramos, Michelle Gordon, Jeb Bush (Logistics Manager) FRONT ROW: Corinne Wahlberg, Colin McCarthy, Annette Lawless, Rachel Santoro

Internship Options

Presidential Classroom offers two types of internships, each of which provides a hands-on and active environment in which to work. The options available are the Program Internship and the Headquarters Internship.

Program Intern Position

Program Interns will live onsite at Georgetown University and will directly interact and be responsible for the students who attend the program. Both the winter and summer internships will be an 8-week commitment*. There are approximately 14 positions available for each program session. These interns are responsible for running the Student Services Office in addition to helping with program logistics as they will travel with the students through the nation's capital, act as the liaison to congressional offices, prepare seminars and introduce speakers; all while working side by side with Volunteer Instructors, the Program Director and other staff members.

*The American Legacy program will be a separate 1-week program with a combination of Alumni and Summer Program Assistants.

PC Interns Gain:

  • Enhanced leadership, time management, public speaking and conflict resolution skills.
  • Increased networking skills through interactions with professionals working in government, business, military and education, as well as peers from across the country and abroad.
  • College credit (number of hours is determined by your college or university).
  • An insider's view of Washington, D.C., the formation of public policy and government relations.
  • Hours toward the Congressional Award program and the USA Freedom Corps Lifetime Goal of 4,000 Service Hours program.

Intern responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Student Services Office (SSO): Requiring coverage 24-hours a day, this is the largest component of the internship. Assigned in shifts, you will manage the office, serve as the point-of-contact for students and parents, and attend to student needs including first aid (you will be certified in CPR and First Aid during your training week).
  • Logistics: Travel with students through the nation's capitol assisting with program logistics including: bus transfers, meal arrangements, advancing seminar and small group discussion rooms, running the Student Lounge, and work closely with the hotel’s event and food service office, governmental facilities and area restaurants.
  • Seminar & Speaker Introductions: Presidential Classroom invites high-level Washington officials and professionals to speak at student seminars. You will have the opportunity to personally meet and introduce these speakers and to manage seminars.
  • Photography: Take digital photos at PC events for various publications and on the PC website. Produce weekly CD scrapbooks for viewing and distribution.
  • Marketing: Prepare, distribute and enter student evaluations. Assist in performing focus groups.

Specialized Intern positions include but are not limited to (these positions are in addition to the responsibilities listed above):

  • Communications Assistant: Write instructor and program assistant biographies, news releases, update the Presidential Classroom website and provide additional assistance to the Communications Manager.
  • Congressional Affairs Assistant: Act as the liaison to congressional offices, arrange hundreds of Capitol Hill appointments, brief students for the appointmetns, staff the Congressional Questions Desk and assit with logistics for designated Capitol Hill days.
  • Logistics Assistant: Assist the Logistics Manager in the day-to-day details of the program, providing administrative, planning and logistical support. Duties include interacting with various government and non-government officials for the confirmation of events and the navigation of various security protocols.
  • Photography Assistant: Capture program participants in action during their week in Washington using digital photography for use in Presidential Classroom publications and on the website while provding additional assistance to the Communications Manager.
  • Program Director's Assistant: Work side-by-side with the Program Director and Program Manager on various projects, specifically helping to train Volunteer Instructors, coordinating program materials and assembling instructor manuals.

Headquarters Intern Position

The Headquarters Interns will provide their own living and transportation accommodations and will work at both the PC headquarters office in Alexandria, Va., and onsite with the program in Georgetown. These interns will work prior to the start of program in order to finalize logistical details, during the program itself, and after the program to perform wrap-up duties. While at Headquarters you will work closely with the Admissions, Communications, and Marketing teams to develop and prepare for the various program weeks. When onsite in Georgetown, you will work closely with the Program Interns, the Logistics Manager, and the Program Director to help run the current program week. There are two positions available for each internship session, Fall, Spring and Summer. Intern responsibilities vary based on the session selected, and include but are not limited to the following:

  • Fall: Located at the headquarters office, these interns will assist the logistical, admissions, communications and marketing teams to help organize and plan the start of the upcoming Winter Program. In addition to using Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and an Access student database, you will work closely with the Logistics Manager to develop relationships and arrange events with the many government and private organizations that assist in making Presidential Classroom a yearly success. This position will also help the admissions team to collect and organize student data and answer calls and questions related to attending the program. One of the interns will also assist the marketing and communications team with various initiatives, including maintaining the Web site, kicking off the educator nomination program, contacting local newspapers, initiating public relation programs, and developing and analyzing student evaluations.
  • Spring/Summer*: These interns will divide their time between the Alexandria office and the program office in Georgetown, working on the Winter and Summer Programs. Headquarters duties include assisting the admissions and marketing staff to prepare for the arrival of the following week's students, finalizing applications and security information, answering customer questions regarding students already enrolled or preparing to arrive to the program, and learning to use the Microsoft Access student database. Program duties include providing logistical support to the program interns including: traveling with the students through Washington, D.C., preparing and attending seminars with high level government, military and business officials, visiting sites around the D.C. area, and assisting with the Saturday student arrival and departure process.

Accommodations

As a Program Intern, once in Washington D.C., Presidential Classroom is an all-inclusive internship, that will provide your room, meals and a weekly stipend. Program Assistants, as well as other Presidential Classroom staff and students, reside at the Georgetown University Conference Center or in Georgetown on-campus housing.

Headquarters Interns are required to provide their own living and transportation accommodations. Presidential Classroom will supply parking passes and Metro farecards where applicable.

For More Information Contact Logistics Manager Annabelle Ombac at aombac@presidentialclassroom.org.