Washington D.C. Internship Program

Search Strategies

Start Early

It's never too early to start looking. Many internships have early deadlines. Organizations that require security clearance usually take much longer. Allow six to eight months for governmental agencies.  

Personal Connections

If you have personal connections in DC, use them. Networking is valuable anywhere, but especially in DC.

Search

Search deliberately and consistently. Most students who are behind in their internship search did not start early enough or did not stay consistently committed to their internship search.  We recommend that students treat internship searching like a class and dedicate days and times to searches.  Also, students are encouraged to track their internship applications and closing dates.

Prepare

• Update your resume and get it approved by the Career Center and the DC Office
• Select a minimum of 10-15 internships
• Seek faculty guidance
• Attend Career Center Workshops—offered through the Seaver College Career Center, these workshops address issues such as resume and cover letter preparation, job/interview search strategies and interview skills. Participation is strongly recommended. Check with the Career Center for a current schedule.
• Go to the Seaver College Career Center website

Follow Up

Keep a record of your internship search. If you haven't heard from a site in three or four weeks. Call them and check the status of their internship process. Washington DC is a city that values assertiveness and persistence. Work to be politely persistent. Below is a spreadsheet to help you keep track of your internship contacts.

Internship Information Form (xls)