Alumni networks exist primarily to build connections between former students no matter how far away from their alma mater they settle. Most large universities have alumni chapters in the D.C. area. A quick check with your school’s alumni office can help direct you to the closest chapter. You can also search for contacts of active chapter officers on the Capital Alumni Network Website at: www.dcalum.org.

Alumni chapters are not just limited to colleges and universities. Fraternities, sororities and academic honoraries also have strong alumni networks. These chapters can usually be found on the organization’s national website. Make sure to investigate all avenues for networking while you are in DC.

Here are a few ways alumni chapters can be helpful:

• Getting to Know D.C. – Moving to a new place (especially one as large as the nation’s capital) can be overwhelming. Alumni networks can be a great resource for getting to know a city. Who better to share recommendations on good neighborhoods to live in, restaurants to try or fun weekend adventures than a local?
• Networking Opportunities – In DC it’s not just what you know, but who you know! Whether it is a gathering to watch a sporting event, a planned activity or a happy hour, Alumni Chapters offer a wide variety of events that can help you connect to a large pool of working professionals. Meeting other professionals who share a common bond can come in handy if you are looking for job or career advice.
• Finding a Mentor – Did you meet a fellow alum at a networking event whose career path you admire? Don’t be afraid to ask for another opportunity to sit down and pick their brain. A one-on-one meeting or even a simple email exchange gives you the chance to ask the questions that you may not have had time for initially.
• Job Boards and Online Databases – Many employers would love to hire graduates from their alma mater. Find out if your school’s alumni office offers access to an online job board where alums can post job opportunities.

The Capital Semester Spring 2012 class is a diverse group of students representing twelve countries—the United States, Indonesia, El Salvador, China, Spain, Myanmar, Vietnam, Egypt, Australia, Yemen, India and Portugal.

The new interns have been orientated to their new city through briefings and tours at the World Bank, Library of Congress and the US Capitol. They also found time for some fun by enjoying ice skating at the National Gallery of Art’s outside Sculpture Garden.

Students were welcomed to Washington by former DC intern and program participant Jordan Cook. While in DC during the spring of 2010, she interned with Koch Companies, Public Sector, LLC. Jordan is currently a staff assistant to Rep. Tim Griffin of Arkansas. She offered the new interns great words of advice on how to make the most of their experience in Washington.

“Whatever is thrown at you, do it joyfully. DC internships are competitive, and you’re lucky to be here. So, whether you’re stuffing folders, making copies, analyzing data, summarizing briefs, drafting multiple memos on the effect of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards on southeast Wisconsin— all of these are things I did, by the way— do it well, to its upmost completion, and have a good attitude about it.”

Cook also emphasized the importance of “noticing detail.” Congressman Griffin emphasized to his entire staff, “Detail is what makes the difference. It is what separates the good workers— the pleasant, the non-offensive, the just fine workers— from the great ones.”

Stay tuned for updates from this spring’s DC interns!

Voters will decide the fate of all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 13 seats in the U.S. Senate, 13 Governorships, and innumerable state and county seats. If you’re looking to gain real-world experience you can add to your resume or portfolio, consider volunteering on the campaign of a candidate of your liking.

Real Skills Equal Real Responsibility

If you volunteer for a campaign or are lucky enough to get a paid position, chances are you’ll have to do more than your fair share of knocking on doors, putting up signs, passing out literature, cold calling voters or making airport runs to pick up donors or campaign big wigs. But don’t despair!

Chances are you have skills that the campaign needs:

• Social Media – In the age of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter knowing just a little bit can go a long way.  Many candidates know they need to use social media, but don’t always know how to effectively use it.  Convince a campaign higher up that you know what you’re doing and you could really have an impact on the campaign.
• Mobilize – Many college students are very adept at quickly mobilizing their friends to act. If you can demonstrate to campaign leaders that you have the ability to get people to      an event or to volunteer for the campaign – you will get noticed.
• Data – Can you maneuver your way around a spreadsheet? Do you know how to organize and manipulate data? If so, a smart campaign will certainly put you to work.  Press contacts, donor lists, poll results, and voter registration drives are all data driven components of a successful campaign. A campaign that doesn’t  have a lot of money to hire expensive consultants would really appreciate this skill set.
• Fundraising – Have you raised substantial money for your sorority, fraternity, or other school organization? Some people have a real talent for convincing people to open up their wallet or checkbook.  If you’re such a person – you could end up being a candidate’s best friend and getting a job offer after they win in November.
• Public Speaking and Media Relations – Can you give an effective pitch for your candidate when you knock on a voter’s door? Can you deliver a concise and cogent message to a reporter? Are you able to stand up in a room full of strangers and give an unforgettable 60-second speech? Demonstrate these skills to a campaign and you will certainly be asked to join their team.

Energy Everyone!

A campaign cannot survive without this key ingredient.  Young people bring energy to a campaign – plain and simple. If you have none of the skills listed above, but are a positive person who is excited to be involved and willing to put your heart and soul into a campaign, then you could be an extremely valuable asset. “Being a part of a campaign is energizing,” said Stacie Allen, Coordinator of TFAS Institute on Business and Government Affairs and Legal Studies Institute. Allen served as the deputy campaign manager for a Virginia State Delegate race in 2009. “To see your teamwork pay off makes you feel like you made a difference,” added Allen.

Sell Yourself & Stick to it

When you first go to a campaign headquarters, treat this encounter as a job interview. You want to make a great first impression. Be prepared to tell the person you are meeting with how many hours a week you are available. If the campaign brings you on board, make sure you work the hours you said you would.  A dependable campaign worker is a valuable campaign worker, and valuable campaign workers are normally given greater opportunities along the way. If your candidate wins and he or she needs to hire staff, your hard work and dedication will really pay off.

The area is continuing to grow at a rapid pace with its newest restaurant addition Tortilla Coast. Tortilla Coast’s Capitol Hill location is well known as the intern spot. It offers great happy hour rates on food and drink. The new spot is sure to attract interns from across the city for margaritas and great Mexican food.

Happy Hour is a must in Washington D.C. and Logan Circle offers a number of options. Church Key on 14^th offers an extensive beer selection and is rumored to have delicious Mac ‘N’ Cheese Sticks.

Every great neighborhood has to have a late night eatery. While there are many options throughout the city, Manny and Olga’s on 14^th is sure to satisfy that late night craving. They offer a variety of pizza, sandwiches and other options into the wee hours of the morning.

Logan Circle offers something for everyone. These are just a few places around the neighborhood that are sure to please your social desires!

To experience learn about ways to D.C. first hand visit www.DCinternships.org.

Here are a few ideas of areas to focus on:

Internship Applications

The first step to landing a great internship, is submitting an application on time (or better yet, ahead of time). Do your research early. Make a detailed list of all of the organizations or internship programs in which you are interested. Take note of application procedures and deadlines. Referring to this list often will help ensure that you don’t miss an opportunity because of a past deadline or forgotten writing sample.

Decide which internship or study abroad programs you will pursue. Remember, you can’t do everything in one summer. Talk to your parents, professors and mentors about which experiences will benefit you most and help you to achieve your long-term career goals. Narrowing your focus early will help you make a commitment when the time comes.

Networking

Taking advantage of networking opportunities is important no matter what stage of your career you are in. It is especially key when you are internship or job searching. Set a goal of how many events or receptions you will plan to attend throughout the year. Keep an eye out for chances to meet with professionals in the field in which you are interested. Such events can range from formal receptions to alumni career panels at your university.

Don’t be afraid to talk to people. It only gets easier with practice. If there’s an event you’re interested in, bring a friend along. Having a mingling partner will make it easier to start conversations with new connections. Ask for business cards when possible and be sure to follow up within the next couple of days.

Staying in Touch

Maintaining a professional contact list is a must. Staying in regular contact with these people is even more important. You don’t want to make a nuisance of yourself with too frequent emails or calls to former supervisors, professors and colleagues, but by giving these people an occasional update on your latest internships, activities and projects, you’ll stay fresh in their minds. When an opportunity that matches your interests and skills comes along, you’ll be one of the first people they think of.

Track your communications on your contact list. This will help make sure you are staying in regular touch without over doing it. Also, keep notes of topics to cover in your email updates.  You’ll be better equipped when it’s time to draft your correspondence.

Good preparation makes all challenges in life easier to meet. By creating a professional plan of action now, you will start the year off on the right foot and put yourself on the road toward achieving your career goals.

Hears to sticking to resolutions in 2012 – Happy New Year!

In 2011 a reporter at a radio station might write print copy for the station’s website, a reporter at a newspaper might be responsible for producing video, while a “multi-media” reporter for an online news site might write copy, shoot video, and edit audio all for the same story.

Where can I get a “new media” internship?

Participants of the political journalism track of the Capital Semester or the summer Institute on Political Journalism (IPJ),  have benefited from the “new media” landscape and have seized the opportunities offered them. Here’s a few highlights of last summer’s interns’ “new media” experiences.

- Federal News Radio –Last summer, Courtney Thompson from the University of Alabama interned with Federal News Radio – a 24 hours new radio station that only covers the federal government. Having written extensively for her school newspaper, Courtney was able to start reporting the very first day of her internship and at the end of the summer she had over 30 articles with her own byline.  Thompson said, “My supervisor really pushed me to become more accountable for my writing and be a more aggressive reporter.”  Here’s an article Courtney wrote about legislation pending in the Senate that would help keep track of federal spending.

- WashingtonExaminer.com – When summer intern Gracie Ferrell began her internship with the online version of Washington’s newest daily newspaper, she didn’t realize how much responsibility she’d be given. Almost immediately she was assigned to write for the paper’s Blog “Beltway Confidential: Politics from the Nation’s Capital.” She wrote stories about Sarah Palin’s email, the mass resignation of Newt Gingrich’s campaign staff and the downfall of disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner from New York.

- Air Force Times – A part of the Gannett News chain, Air Force Times gave intern Amber James the chance to write for the print and online publication. “I was responsible for writing one to two stories every week for the print edition of Air Force Times. I also attended regular staff meetings and even a hearing at the Capitol”, said James. The online version of Air Force Times published two of James’ stories. One featured a retired Army couple that went on a bike ride in all 50 states to raise awareness about the service and sacrifice of our military personnel. Another article told the story of a travelling art show “Wounded in Action” that honors American heroes wounded in battle.

- DPA-Deutsche Presse-Agentur German New Service – Kaitlin Durbin of Ohio Northern University got a two for one deal through her internship at the DPA—experience in Washington, D.C. and experience working for a foreign news bureau. While her German skills helped her, Kaitlin wrote for the English language version of the DPA. “I had the chance to cover briefings on Capitol Hill, interview members of Congress and cover a luncheon with President Obama,” said Durbin. “I gained a better understanding of how our government works. The experience was truly incomparable,” she added. Her articles were picked up in publications across the globe and ranged from a story about the latest fight against Facebook over Internet privacy to a look at how one of the worst droughts on record impacted farmers in the South.

It’s still about the Fundamentals

While “new media” is indeed a thrilling place to start your career, it should come as no surprise that the basics of journalism remain the same and are more important than ever. ABC News correspondent Karen Travers (IPJ 1999) told students at the recent IPJ collegiate journalism conference that there is no substitute for good writing. “Good writers will always stand out in the newsroom,” Travers said. I reiterated to participants the importance of sticking to the basics of journalism, “Regardless of your own politics or ideology, tell the story straight, cover everything with fairness and make accuracy and excellence your goal.”

To learn more about internship opportunities available through the Institute on Political Journalism, please visit www.DCinternships.org/IPJ.

Be Selective – You can’t attend every holiday event in the city, so be strategic about the ones you choose to attend. Maximize your opportunity to network by selecting parties that benefit you from a professional perspective. Focus on organizations in your field or causes in which you’re interested.

Come Prepared – Bring your business cards and be sure to put them in an easily accessible location. It’s a good idea to bring a pen to make notes on the back of cards you receive. After the party, send follow-up emails to continue the connection. Mentioning something discussed during the conversation is the best way to jog someone’s memory and make it personalized.

Don’t Overindulge – While parties are meant for having fun, don’t drink excessively. Enjoy yourself, but in moderation. You don’t want to be remembered as “that drunk guy”.  You never know who will notice your behavior, and it can have lasting impact on your career.

Holiday parties are great opportunities to have fun, as well as to network. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be sure to make meaningful and lasting connections that will be useful to you in the coming New Year.

Visit www.DCinternships.org to learn more about the LIVE. LEARN. INTERN. programs

There were several highlights at graduation including faculty remarks by retired USA Today White House Correspondent, Richard Benedetto. Benedetto spoke about “the importance of remembering who you are and where you came from.” Student remarks were given by Leah Shirley, a senior at Chapman University studying Political Science. She reflected on her time interning at Conservation International and the friends she made during her semester in DC.

The keynote speaker and Outstanding Internship Supervisor Award Recipient was Randy DeCleene, Senior Vice President at K-Global. He shared life lessons for young adults entering into the workforce. He stressed “the importance of working hard”—noting that if you work hard enough, you’ll be in the right position to take advantage of lucky strikes. DeCleene also expressed “the importance of standing out and doing things that make you unique”. He concluded with the most valuable piece of advice, “remember to follow your dreams”.

“We can do all things that we put our minds to, so do not limit the amount of passion you possess.” – Randy DeCleene, Capital Semester Graduation

The following students were recognized for their academic achievements:

- Scott Eastman, University of Nebraska – Excellence in Constitutional Studies

- Gabrielle Mondo, Ramapo College of New Jersey – Excellence in Journalism

- Andrew Osborne, University of Minnesota – Excellence in Economics

- Charles Tufts, Depaul University – Excellence in Public Policy

Additionally, alumna Julie Tegho was honored for her participation in the mentor program. Tegho mentored Victoria Vlad of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, offering her career advice, recommendations on events and activities to take advantage of in Washington, and tips for living in the city.

Learn more about the Capital Semester program by visiting www.DCinternships.org/CS.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 2700 F. St. NW, Washington, DC. The premier theater is the home to the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Opera, Washington Ballet and American Film Institute.

• Billy Elliot the Musical (December 13, 2011 – January 15, 2012)
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical (December 17, 2011 – January 8, 2012)

National Theatre 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC. The 1,676-seat Federal-style theater is the oldest playhouse in the United States and has operated in the same location since 1835.

• Jersey Boys (Now through January 7, 2012)

Warner Theatre 513 13th Street, NW Washington, DC. The theater is located in the heart of Washington, DC, a few blocks from the White House. Performances include comedies, dramas, musicals and more.

• The Nutcracker (Now through December 24, 2011)
• FELA! Musical (January 24 – January 29)

Ford’s Theatre 10th and E Streets, NW Washington, DC. The theater is a national historic landmark, the site where Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.

• A Christmas Carol (Now through December 31, 2011)
• Necessary Sacrifices (January 20 – February 12, 2012)

Whether you’re job searching or looking to maintain a contact, a quick note around the holidays is always appreciated and can set you apart in the mind of a past supervisor or coworker. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Hand-written notes are always best – In just a few minutes, you can make a lasting impression with a hand-written note, making you stand out from the hundreds of emails and e-cards.
• Know your audience – be respectful of all religious beliefs. “Happy Holidays” is always a safe sentiment.
• Keep it short and to the point – A short note to keep your name on their radar is the goal. For a more in depth catch up or to ask for assistance with a recommendation or reference, follow up with a phone call.
• Check names and addresses – DC is a city of constant change. Make sure your supervisor is still at the same organization and location as they were during your internship or job.
• Provide an update – This is a good opportunity to give a few short sentences on any news such as graduate school admissions, a new job or other move.

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