The ability to experience how academic theory informs and influences governance, politics, and policy-making can be gained through participation in conferences, leadership seminars, and internships. These pages will highlight some of the opportunities for student involvement in politics and public policy.
PLEN: Public Leadership Education Network
The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is a national organization entirely focused on preparing women for leadership positions in the public policy venue.
PLEN coordinates seminars in Washington, D.C. for women students from colleges and universities across the United States to gain first-hand experience on how public policy is constructed and implemented at the national level. During these various themed seminars, students meet with and learn from women leaders in the Congress, the courts, the public and private sector, as well as those who work in policy research, the media, and advocacy.
In addition to educational seminars, PLEN sponsors summer internships in Washington, D.C. Although these internships do not offer a stipend, they are among the lowest cost internship and offer customized placement. Students can gain course credit and can participate in leadership seminars while completing their internship.
**Plans are in the works to attend the Women, Law and Public Policy Seminar to be held in November 2011. This seminar is designed for students planning to attend law school or interested in law-related careers (such as policy work). Check with the Political Science Department Chair for more information. Registration deadline in mid-October 2011.**
Internships
In academic year 2010-2011, Carlow students interned with a gubernatorial and a congressional campaign, the Girls Scouts of Western PA, A+ Schools, City Councilmember Dan Lavelle, State Representative Matt Smith, and more. Internships are a great way to gain professional experience and a competitive advantage in job market while applying what you have learned in class!
Internship opportunities are many and varied. Students who are interested in an internship are advised to carefully review application procedures and to pay particular attention to deadlines. Summer internships often have application deadlines as early as November or December. The list below contains some of the internship opportunities that are especially relevant to students who are interested in politics, public policy, and leadership.
Coro Institute: Coro offers a variety of leadership training programs, internships, and mentoring programs. Application deadlines vary with each program.
J.W. Saxe Memorial Award: This program provides a stipend of $2,000 to one or more students who are involved in public service. The award is designed to facilitate student access to practical experience in public service.
Local Government Academy: LGA offers paid summer internships through its Municipal Intern Program. Placement sites include various Allegheny County Departments, local municipalities, councils of governments, and municipal authorities.
Speaker John M. Perzel Internship Program, PA House of Representatives
Guyasuta Fellowship Program: An ongoing program of interest to those ages 18-40 who want to be involved in changing Pittsburgh as a place to live, work and play should be the Guyasuta Fellowship program. Its theme this year is environmental justice and it is particularly interested in students willing to be engaged in work across the city and with a diverse group of fellow participants, policy experts, and advocates. E-mail guyasuta.fellowship@gmail.com and see this flyer.
State Representative Matt Smith: The internship is unpaid but will offer excellent experience, networking opportunities, and possible college credit. Please have any interested individuals contact the District Director, Judi Cohen at 412-571-2169.
City Councilmember Dan Lavelle: Intern
Interns will be provided a special project to work on for the duration of the internship. There will be timelines given with well communicate expectations of how the project will proceed. Office feedback will be given on the content of the project. The project will be of interest to the 6th Council District and will provide critical information for the office to review and or implement.
Interns will need to be able to work independently, research pertinent subject matter, and provide legislative research. Interns will address constituent complaints and electronic feedback submissions. Provide support to the councilman in areas of interest. Internship duties include answering calls and directing them to the appropriate party, drafting letters and correspondences, copying and distributing documents. The intern will have to able to operate MSWord, Excel and navigate the internet.
It is the goal of the office to provide an intern with an entry level view of the legislative process. An intern will be encouraged to expand their knowledge base of district 6 and the communities that are served. Interns must possess the desire to work with multi faceted people representing the diverse communities in the district.
Three Rivers Community Foundation: The Foundation seeks interns each semester for:
Foreign Affairs
Interested in foreign affairs?
Follow these tips for the State Department’s Internship coordinators:
Finnegan Foundation has an annual competition for summer internships. Students receive a stipend of $1500, plus additional funding and placement in named internships in PA state government with salaries paid by state agencies. Annual deadline February 1 for summer placement.
Municipal internship fair is held each February. Interested students should check the Local Government Academy’s website for specific dates for applications and fair date/times. www.localgovernmentacademy.org
Local Government Academy: Opportunities for students to complete social media work (writing blog posts, producing podcasts) on a freelance basis. LGA offers $25 per blog post written or podcast produced. More information can be found at: www.localgovernmentacademy.org
Election-related internships are available each semester. If you are already working with a candidate, please see Dr. Lowe to discuss internship credits. If you need help locating an internship with an active campaign, please contact Dr. Lowe or Career Services for help with placement.
Other Opportunities
Carlow is a member of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and students can take advantage of services and programs as a result.
The Pittsburgh Foundation invites applications for the Fulton Fellows and Gow Political Fellows programs and for its Jack Wilson Scholarship award. |
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