DC Intern Success Story- Mark Funkhouser

Written by Lily Harrison, Capital Semester Program Director 

Mark Funkhouser hails from North Carolina where he is pursuing a degree in Peace, War and Defense Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is currently in Washington, DC, participating in the Capital Semester Spring 2013 program.  After studying abroad in Montpelier  France, Mark was looking for an internship in an international setting to further develop his French language skills.  His internship this semester at the Embassy of Gabon is the perfect fit.  Read Mark’s take on what it is like to intern at an Embassy in Washington, DC.

“The Gabonese Republic is a Central African country on the west coast whose primary language is French. The embassy is an interesting cultural mix of Gabonese and American culture where a conversation can begin in French and end in English. Although it is a small country, the embassy here is always busy. Whether it is a delegation needing to meet with the ambassador or a solar energy company wanting to invest in the region, there is always work to be done.

The main purpose of the embassy in the U.S. is communication. It is the direct link between Gabonese interests and U.S. interests. When an individual wants to go to Gabon for prospective investment opportunities, it is the embassy that decides if they meet requirements for a visa.  When there are trade agreements or other interactions between the U.S. and Gabon, it is the ambassador’s job to communicate that information between the two nations.

As Gabon continues to develop its economy and see social progress, it is the embassy’s job to inform the rest of the world about that progress. It must communicate the country’s new visions and desires for the future. This is done through cultural seminars, exhibitions, various types of media, etc. The whole purpose is to serve the needs of the home country in the U.S. as best possible.

During my time at the embassy I am rotating through the different departments in order to learn how each one operates and the types of issues they deal with. Then I will have the opportunity to work directly with the ambassador on the most important issues of the embassy. Overall, it has been a great experience that has taught me more about the country and working in a professional environment, than I ever would have thought possible in such a short time.”

If you have an interest in foreign affairs and are considering coming to Washington, DC to intern, please visit www.DCinternships.org/CS to learn more about Capital Semester!

Eat and Enjoy: Glover Park

Spring is a great time to visit Washington, D.C. The Cherry Blossom festival brings thousands of tourists to the nation’s capital each year. While the Cherry Blossoms are a must see, sometimes you have to get away from the crowds and enjoy the city like a local. Enter Glover Park.

Just a few blocks north of Georgetown and west of the Naval Observatory, Glover Park is a great spot to get away. Check out a few of the neighborhood’s best sites.

Town Hall is a Glover Park favorite. Enjoy brunch, dinner or a drink on their outdoor patio.

Rockland’s BBQ is the reason Glover Park smells so tasty. Stop in to enjoy some of their famous barbecue.

Bourbon in Glover Park is a low key, comfortable spot for young professionals to have a drink or a bite to eat.

Number One Observatory Circle is a quick walk from Glover Park and the official residence of the Vice President of the United States. It’s no White House (actually it is a white house) but it’s the place the Bidens call home.

Guy Mason Recreation Center is perfect for catching a co-ed softball league practice or playing in the park.

Upcoming Networking Events in DC

Want to make professional contacts and have fun at the same time? Check out these great opportunities to mix and mingle.

Dupont Circle Art Gallery Tour
Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Dupont Circle Art Galleries

Things to Do DC  is hosting a tour of several galleries including the Hillyer Art Space and the Burton Marinkovich Find Art Gallery in Dupont Circle. They’ll be an optional “How to Buy Art” discussion after the tour.

 

Young Nonprofit Professionals April Networking Happy Hour
Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Public Bar in Dupont

Interested in growing your nonprofit network?  Join YNPNdc and their partner organization, The Global Language Network, for their monthly happy hour.

 

Ladies DC April Happy Hour
Tuesday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m.
Sushiko in Chevy Chase

Join some of the over 2,000 members of Ladies DC for their monthly happy hour. Ladies DC is the founding chapter of Ladies America, a national network of young professional women connecting to advance one another personally and professionally, following the motto “Women Helping Women.”

 

Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Volunteer at GI Film Festival
Friday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m.
AMC Shirlington Theater

YPFP members will be volunteering with the GI Film Festival for their Red Carpet “First Look” Screening. The GI Film Festival is “the first in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film.” Volunteers may also see the film and attend the reception afterwards.

 

Ladies DC Stop Playing Safe, with Margie Warrell
Saturday, May 11 at 1:00 p.m.

Author, Forbes columnist and master coach Margie Warrell will talk about her new book, “Stop Playing Safe: Rethink Risk. Unlock the Power of Courage. Achieve Outstanding Success.” Her book examines insights from courageous trail-blazing entrepreneurs and leaders in organizations including NASA, Ernst & Young, UN Foundation and QANTAS. Registration opens April 9.

Get Involved: Great Community Service Opportunities

Written by Kristen Wright, Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service Manager

One of the best ways to get to know your community is through service, and Washington, DC is a great place to get involved.  The nation’s capital is home to hundreds of nonprofit organizations that are looking for eager volunteers to help out with one-time projects as well as more regular commitments.

These opportunities not only make a huge difference, but they are a fun and valuable way to develop personally and professionally. Many nonprofit organizations are looking for people with computer skills, language abilities, a social media background, or tutoring experience to assist in advancing their mission.

If you’ve never searched for nonprofit organizations to volunteer with before, looking for projects and deciding where to lend a hand can be challenging.  Here are a few tips to help you pursue your philanthropic goals.

1. Search the Web: There are websites that do a great job of posting volunteer opportunities and providing you with all of the necessary contact information to get involved.  A few resources are Idealist, Volunteer Match, and the United Way.
2. Participate in a Day of Service: There are a few times during the year when large scale service projects take place in Washington, DC.  In the fall HandsOn organizes “Make a Difference Day” and in the winter the Corporation for National and Community Service plans “MLK Day of Service”.  Both are great opportunities to serve the community, do a trial run with a particular organization, and get the ball rolling for a longer term commitment!
3. Personal Reference: One of the best ways to find a good project is to ask someone! Check with friends, coworkers, or family members to find out what organizations they have volunteered with in the past and how their experiences impacted them.
4. Go with what you know: Look for nonprofit organizations whose mission you personally support. You are more likely to continue with the opportunity if you are passionate about the cause!

Appropriate Follow Up After Submitting Your Resume

Properly following up with a company after submitting your resume will show you’re a serious candidate. You want to demonstrate that you are a very interested without becoming a pest. Use these steps to guide you through the follow up.

Step 1: Check the job or internship posting for information on the recruiting process and hiring time frame. Don’t call the organization if the posting says no calls – that is a sure-fire way to show that you can’t follow directions.

Step 2: Wait at least one week after submitting your resume for the company to contact you. If you haven’t heard from them, reach out to show your interest (if the positing doesn’t discourage it). If there is an application deadline, wait at least one week after that deadline to follow up.

Step 3: Email the main contact on the job posting. Be concise but polite. Reintroduce yourself and let them know the position for which you’re applying.  Confirm they’ve received your application materials and ask about the next steps. Mention your continued excitement for the opportunity and ask to arrange an interview.

Step 4: If they agree, follow these guidelines to prepare for an interview and avoid common mistakes!

Other Helpful Tips

• Have a professional voicemail message on your phone. Every interaction you or your voicemail has with a prospective employer may factor into their decision.
• Make your social media profiles professional or private. Many employers check out candidates on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media sites.
• Be patient. The hiring process can be long. Feel free to follow up several times but don’t resend the same message. Make it clear you are following up again. If you’ve contacted them three times without a response, it’s time to move on to the next opportunity.

March Madness 2013

Written by Lauren Goldberg, Coordinator of U.S. Programs 

We are just a few days from tip-off of the 75^th annual NCAA College Basketball Tournament. Are you ready for the madness? Beginning March 19 and ending with the championship game on April 8, this season’s March Madness will not disappoint, with back-to-back games, epic match-ups, and age-old rivalries.

This year is especially exciting for the District as the East Regional Round of the tournament will be held at our very own Verizon Center. See the action first-hand with tickets to either or both sessions on March 28 and 30.

Check out these great places around town to watch the tournament:

• Green Turtle- Located under the Verizon Center, it is a perfect place to meet up with friends to watch the madness.
• Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle is 14,000 square feet of pure entertainment. Packed with TV’s, arcade games, shuffleboards, billiards, and beverages, it is an ideal location to watch the games.
• If you are a beer lover you should definitely head to Regional Food & Drink in Chinatown which boasts the largest tap and bottle selection in the DC area. You will be sure to find avid sports fans and an assortment of delectable brews.
• For those who live or work in VA, Crystal City Sports Pub is a local favorite. With hundreds of TV’s and 3 floors of space, there is plenty of room to shout and cheer for the favored teams in your bracket.

Job and Internship Interviews: How to Prepare and Avoid Common Mistakes

You submitted your resume, completed the application and got an interview. Congratulations! Now the real fun begins.

Here are five ways to prepare for a great interview.

1. Know the company and the position. Review the position posting and any documents sent by the interviewer. Then go a step further and check out the company’s website and social media presence. Take time to review (and understand) their company history, mission statement, policy priorities, prominent partners and most successful projects.
2. Know your skills. Make it easy on the interviewer and explain exactly why your skills and experience make you the best fit for the position. Knowing the position and company will allow you to tailor your skills. Use examples from your professional, leadership, academic and volunteer experience. Don’t be afraid to get specific and reference successful projects or outcomes. Be prepared to handle tough questions on gaps in your resume, a low GPA or skills you don’t have. Be confident and concise but don’t ever lie.
3. Know the interview details. Is the interview in person or over the phone? What time is it and in what time zone? Where is the interview, what building and what room? Do you have to go through security to get to the interview? Will the interviewer be calling you? Or will you be calling them? Do you need to dial a direct line or use a conference login? It never hurts to confirm these details with the interviewer. It shows you’re planning ahead and ensures you make the meeting.
4. Arrive 5 minutes before the interview. Arriving too early can be a hassle for the interviewer but arriving late reflects poorly on you as a candidate. Map the route to the interview the night before and account for traffic and weather delays. If it’s a phone interview get to a quiet place with good phone service before the scheduled time. If at all possible, take the call on a land-line phone.
5. Prepare questions. The interviewer will likely ask if you have any questions. This is a great time to show you’ve done your research. Make a list of questions relevant to the job, department and organization. Then when the appropriate time comes (hint: when they ask if you have any questions) select a few from your list. “How would you describe a typical day in this position,” “what are the most challenging aspects of the job,” and “what is the most important quality you’re looking for in a candidate,” are great sample questions.

Being prepared for an interview alleviates stress and allows you to perform your best. Good luck and happy interviewing!