Liberal Arts Voices

Read the perspectives of our current students

Interning at the Environmental Protection Agency

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This past summer, I spent two days a week as an intern/volunteer within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. During Spring 2012, I attended a networking event where I spoke with several different Liberal Arts alum centered in the D.C. area. Talking with them and gaining new insights into the professional world convinced me that an internship would be an invaluable and necessary experience for the future. Through the Alumni Relations Department, I connected with Marylouise Uhlig, a Liberal Arts alum and top ranked EPA officer. Thanks to her generosity, my resume circulated throughout her division and eventually landed in the hands of the chief of the Liaison Branch. A few weeks later, I was on my first metro to the heart of D.C. to witness government in action.

The first thing you will learn as an intern at the EPA is acronyms. For instance, I worked in the Liaison Branch of EAD, in OPPT, in OCSPP, of the EPA. In other words, I worked in the international division of the chemical safety unit of the EPA. Although I would call myself an environmentalist, chemical and pollution prevention was not something I had ever focused on. I knew about the dangers of lead paint and the consequences of carbon dioxide emissions, but I could have never imagined the grand scope and complexities of chemical safety. The main role of this division is to classify and research harmful chemicals used in industry. These chemicals are then subjugated to limits and eventually banned from manufacture.

The project I was tasked to complete involved comparing chemical research from the United States to that of the EU’s Chemical Program called REACH (more acronyms!).  I cross classified and placed into categories chemicals whose names I could not even begin to pronounce, such as Phthalicanhydride and Triglycidylisocyanurate. Upon completion of this enormous chart, I was proud to have created something that even directors of my department would refer to for information.

In addition to classification of chemicals, I learned about the chemical hazards related to everyday products. MCCP’s and SCCP’s (medium and short chained chlorinated parrafins) are found in aerosols such as cleaners, hairsprays, and more. Formaldehyde is now being looked at by the US and EU, especially since high levels were found in Hurricane Katrina’s refugee trailers. The work I completed and learned about made me realize that even things we take for granted may always carry negative side-effects.

All in all, I would say my experience at the EPA was very rewarding. My time in Washington opened my eyes to the reality of bureaucracy. The work they do is useful for the long term, something very important especially with the rise of climate change research. However, I personally realized I would prefer to work in an area that is more hands on. I hope my next internship is as eye-opening as this one.

A Summer Interning in Washington, D.C.

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View from My AAM Office Window by LAUSatPSU

Washington, D.C. is an amazing place to spend the summer. It is especially great when you are able to find an internship. I am a senior at Penn State, and I am currently interning for the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM). Not only am I working on projects that are related to what I want to do in the future, but I am also meeting a bunch of new people and exploring the city.

I found the internship through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network Symplicity system.  I applied to at least 50 different internships throughout the school year, and the one at AAM was exactly what I was looking for.  I am their Social Media intern, and I work with their Digital Media person as well as with others throughout the office.

AAM is a bi-partisan, non-profit organization and partnership that is working to strengthen manufacturing in the United States.  They employ their social media to inform and open people up to the idea that both ends of the political spectrum should be in support of American manufacturing and American made products.

There are two Penn State alumni working at AAM, and it is beneficial having people who know exactly where I’m coming from as a Penn Stater. Alumni can be a very important factor in finding an internship or job, but they can also help you make your transition into a company that they are already very involved in.

My internship has me involved in all aspects of Social Media.  I am blogging, organizing and improving their YouTube, Flickr, and Twitter accounts, as well as providing input on the creation of their Tumblr and other Social Media outlets that could be valuable to AAM’s cause. I have also spent time on Capitol Hill and at several conferences that have completely opened up my mind to the way the political world functions.  That may seem a bit odd, but until I had these experiences, it had never fully occurred to me that these are the people who are in total control of our country.

As for my future after this internship, I want to attend graduate school for Marketing with a focus on Digital and Social Media after I graduate in December. The work I am doing and experience I have gained at AAM will definitely set me apart from other applicants in the field for both college applications and future job opportunities.   

The most important part about having this internship for me is the involvement in and out of the office.  Working in front of a computer and with professionals has taught me a lot about what I am pursuing as a career and how to pursue it. At the same time, I have gained a new perspective on the professional world that I think all college students would benefit from acquiring.

Washington, D.C. is definitely a great place to spend a summer when it comes to experiences outside of the working world. I am officially a self-declared professional commuter, by metro and car, and I have learned how to establish myself in a community outside of the two places I am most comfortable, my hometown and State College.

My time at the Alliance for American Manufacturing has solidified my goals for future jobs as well as improved my professional and life skills.  It is a great environment to work in and I would most definitely suggest that anyone interested in politics or social media look into the organization.

A D.C. Summer: Interning at the Woodrow Wilson Center

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Washington, D.C. is intern heaven.  Thousands of aspiring politicians, NGO-hopefuls, and students looking to forge a career path flock to the capital in June.  This summer I was one of them; I am currently an intern at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.  Before I delve deeper into the details of my internship, allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Suzanne Zakaria, and I am a rising junior.  I am dual-majoring in International Politics and Spanish, and minoring in Geography.  I am a member of the Schreyer Honors College and, within the College of the Liberal Arts, a member of the Paterno Fellows Program.

Through the College of Communication’s Washington Program, I was lucky enough to obtain an internship at the Wilson Center.  My first day of orientation at the Wilson Center was, shortly put, overwhelming.  My building is a block away from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue; looking out the window, the Washington Monument surreally stands.  The Wilson Center is located in the beautifully designed Ronald Reagan Building, and it neighbors USAID and the Environmental Protection Agency.  I could hardly believe that this was the place where I would work.

By week two, however, the surroundings became familiar, no doubt facilitated by the nurturing environment at the Wilson Center.  My official title is “Research Assistant,” and I work with two scholars, assisting them with their research.  I could not have asked for more interesting topics.  My first scholar’s name is Ilan Greenberg, and he is researching how social scientists collaborate with the military.  My responsibility is to track down these social scientists; information is often not forthcoming as their military work was classified.  This process involves trips to the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the National Security Archives, and the Smithsonian Libraries.  I’ve learned how to file Freedom of Information Acts (FOIA), and I have utilized numerous databases.

My second scholar’s name is Francis Kornegay, and he is the lead co-editor of a forthcoming book about how the US foreign policy implications of the “BRICS” countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) form an adaptive diplomacy in shaping US international strategy.  My responsibilities include editing chapter submissions that come in from authors of the BRICS countries and compiling bibliographies.  It’s a different kind of work than what I do for my other Scholar, but I love the variety and use of different skillsets on different projects.

None of my experiences at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars would have been possible without the gracious funding from the Paterno Fellows Programs.  Never would I have been able to afford an apartment (and food and transportation!) otherwise.  I extend my thanks to the College of the Liberal Arts, and I urge anyone who is thinking of applying to the Paterno Fellows Program to make the commitment.

I am in D.C. until August, and I am excited to continue my experiences at the Wilson Center.  D.C. is intern heaven, and I’m soaking it all in. 

My Fascinating Internship at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

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Wilson at Night
Originally uploaded by M.V. Jantzen

In my first post, I wrote a bit about my educational background and previous internship experience at the Senate. In this post, I would like to talk specifically about my experience interning at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington D.C. where I had a wonderful experience.

Working at the Woodrow Wilson Center was very different from my experience in the Senate. While both internships were very interesting and engaging, congressional internships are fast paced, interactive, and oftentimes stressful. This was very different from my experience at the Woodrow Wilson Center. The whole organization emits a sense of calm and it is filled with bright, sophisticated scholars as opposed to anxious and frenzied congressional staffers. Many of the scholars are university professors or journalists from around the country who are not constrained to the same rules or time lines that politicians are. Instead most the scholars are working on specific books about a multitude of different issues from around the world.

Each intern is assigned to a specific scholar. I was assigned to work primarily with Neal Gabler and it was truly a pleasure working for him. Mr. Gabler has a variety of interests and has worked in several professions. Primarily he is a professor and journalist but he is also a published author and a political commentator. He has contributed to numerous publications including The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Esquire, New York Magazine, and Vogue. He has also appeared on many prominent television shows including the Today Show, CBS Morning News, Entertainment Tonight, and Good Morning America. His time at the Woodrow Wilson Center was dedicated to writing a biography of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a project I was particularly fond of.

One of the best aspects of working at the Woodrow Wilson Center was that there was no “typical” day. Each morning I would arrive at work around 9.00 a.m. and meet with Mr. Gabler and discuss the day’s agenda. Some days he would have me research articles and publications at the Wilson Center while others he would have me travel to the Senate Historical Archives or the Library of Congress to find information for his project. I was allowed to personally attend interviews with prominent political figures, which really made me feel involved in the project.

The Woodrow Wilson Center has a wide variety of research tools at its disposal. It has a large library as well as access to an assortment of research programs like LexisNexis. As an intern at the Center you can get complimentary membership cards to the National Archives and the Library of Congress, which last for years. The Center also encourages students to use their resources and connections to do their own research for thesis papers or school assignments. It is a fantastic way to interact with prominent professors and journalists and it could be a great networking opportunity. While I was assigned to work primarily with Mr. Gabler I also had a chance to speak with lots of other prominent scholars.

My Senate internship was extremely interesting and engaging but very different. Each day I was responsible for certain tasks like answering phones or corresponding with constituents – all of which had to be done at a fast pace and in a specific order. At the Woodrow Wilson Center I never felt rushed or stressed. I could take time to really comprehend what I was researching and preform my tasks in a more meticulous manner. However, my congressional internship was equally as motivating and interesting. If you have a strong interest in research and would like to network with prominent journalists and professors from around the country than the Woodrow Wilson Center would be a great place to start.

Feel free to contact me about any questions you have. I’ll be happy to answer them for you.

A New Internship in Washington D.C.

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Reagan Building
Originally uploaded by M.V. Jantzen

This past summer I interned at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington D.C., a non-partisan public policy think-tank. Having previously interned in the Senate for eight months, I was eager for the opportunity to work for a non-governmental organization. While this internship was drastically different than my experience in the Senate, it was equally as valuable, demanding, and exciting.

Before I discuss my experiences let me first introduce myself. My name is Nicholas Lewis and I am currently at Junior at The Pennsylvania State University majoring in Political Science with a minor in History. I am a Paterno Fellow as well as a member of the Schreyer’s Honors College. I have both American and British citizenship and I previously lived in London, The Hague, and Luxembourg. In 2007 I moved to Washington, DC with my family to live in the United States for the first time. I quickly discovered that Washington, DC was a young and vibrant city that was full of life. I have a strong interest in international relations and U.S. government and was thrilled to find that most people in the city shared my enthusiasm for politics.

When I first moved to the United States in 2007, I had the extraordinary opportunity to intern for eight months in the-Senator Barack Obama’s congressional office before attending my freshman year at The Pennsylvania State University. That internship gave me my first real exposure to American history and politics, and with the Senator’s bid for the presidency, I soon realized I was experiencing a historic moment. I became passionate about how legislation works and about Congress’s role in formulating foreign policy. Because of my interest in foreign affairs, I worked with both the legislative aide and legislative correspondent for foreign affairs. My duties ranged from managing the phones and mail to taking notes at official congressional hearing.

After my sophomore year at college I knew I wanted to intern in Washington DC again. I was accepted to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The center supports a full spectrum of academics that research, study, and discuss national and world affairs. I was assigned to work with two different scholars, one who was writing a detailed biography of Edward M. Kennedy and the other who was writing about the life of Barbara Jordan. The internship was particularly exciting and motivating. On a daily basis I would travel between the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the Senate Historical Archives. The internship was unpaid but the experience was invaluable.

I look forward to writing more about my experience at the Woodrow Wilson Center soon. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about either of my internships in Washington, D.C.

Inside the Beltway

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View of D.C.
Originally uploaded by Vint13

Just over two months remain in my semester in Georgetown. Where did all of that time go? I feel as though I was frantically running through the hallways of the Russell Senate Office Building just yesterday, in a panic because I could not find my office on the first day of work. This semester has been quite busy, incredibly enriching, and a complete rush.

If I had to sum up all of the things I have learned so far, I would simply say this: There is nothing like being here! This city is young and electric, an exciting place to be no matter what your interest or career. I have to pinch myself on my commute every morning when I pass the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, because I am in the center of it all. I read and hear news online that is happening all around me. Sometimes, especially at work, I am ahead of the news. For instance, I have assisted an aide by summarizing a brief and a few hours later, Politico covered an event in which my boss referenced that same brief. This opportunity to spend a semester away from Penn State has allowed me to experience a new university and atmosphere while remaining a Penn State undergrad, knowing I will return eventually and that my college experience at UP is not over yet! Studying in D.C. for a semester has actually allowed me to appreciate my time in the city more than if I had gone to school here for 4 years because I know I have only a short time to do and see everything I want.

I am interning for the United States Senate and to say that Congress’s image is a little tarnished right now would be generous. Although I am not anywhere near qualified by my 2 months as an intern to make any sweeping statements about the state of affairs in Congress, I would only say this: public service is truly a sacrifice, and I don’t think that it is appreciated. An image persists of Congress as a world of comfortable work, inattentiveness, and self-satisfaction. What is not often understood is that lawmakers sustain a workweek of 80+ hours, incessant travel, separation from family for weeks at a time, and a sincere work ethic that pervades the office, from the senator or congressman down to the intern.

I was told by one of my professors, Brad Blakeman, that holding a political office is an opportunity, not a career. I appreciate that distinction, but on the whole I disagree; public service is a vocation to which we are all called. It does not have to be, and will not be for most, a career working on Capitol Hill or in the White House. We have the capacity to serve, and as Liberal Arts students, we are asked to take an interest in serving our university, our communities, our states, or our countries with pride and honor. I firmly believe that Liberal Arts students can be service leaders of the University. The University was founded with the notion that financial capital would be invested to return a yield of scientific and agricultural knowledge. Now, with our greatly expanded mission, Penn State yields an even greater return of human capital in its graduates. We have the privilege granted by our education to improve our world. I have been following the Pennsylvania budget battle from DC, and I would only say that I hope Governor Corbett realizes what kind of return he gains from the finances invested in his state universities.

Happy Valley to Capitol Hill

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Cruising along the PA Turnpike around 7:30 last night, my stomach lurched as we passed the signs: Altoona I-99, 1 mile ahead. Altoona I-99, exit on right. We whipped past the signs, beyond Indiana and Somerset, New Stanton and Greensburg. There was still time to turn north, I thought, to go back home: Penn State University. Instead, I was hurtling southward, towards Washington, D.C. after my friends had returned, after classes had started, and well after I could start a new semester at Penn State. But after that one small pang of regret, the thrill of excitement ran up my spine. D.C.! I will spend the spring in our nation’s capital, interning and studying at Georgetown University. I am writing now at my wide white desk overlooking the rainbow row houses on O Street, a block away from Healy Hall, Georgetown’s Old Main. This semester I’ll check in with LAUS, describing a semester spent between studies at Georgetown and an internship with Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) on Capitol Hill.

To begin, my name is Erin Morton, and I am a junior majoring in International Politics and History from Pittsburgh. I became a Paterno Fellow in January of last year, and I am a Paterno Ambassador and student coordinator for the Special Olympics 5K Beaver Stadium Run. I am also a Lion Ambassador and Schreyer Student Advancement Team member. My closet, desk, and headboard here are decked out with blue and white. I just can’t help myself! However, I did invest in some Hoya grey and blue, and will definitely cheer the Hoyas at basketball games this spring!

My internship is with the Democratic Senator from New York, Kirsten Gillibrand. I’ll be in her office on Capitol Hill three days a week, taking classes the other two days and at night. The program at Georgetown is designed for students to intern three days a week, and our class schedules are built around that core. I hope to discuss some of the activity on the Hill as I get acquainted with the culture. I hope you had a great syllabus week, and good luck this semester!

Liberal Arts Voices: Episode 13

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In episode thirteen of Liberal Arts Voices, Associate Dean Long and Heather Summerlin are joined by CLA Internship Coordinator Ashley Tarbet and INTPL majors Eli Glazier and Amanda Craig. This episode focuses on Eli and Amanda’s experiences as interns in Washington D.C. over the summer.

Amanda starts off the program by describing her internship with lobbying firm Capitol Associates, Inc. She helps us to get a sense of the role that lobbying firms like Capitol Associates, Inc. play in Capitol Hill. Amanda talks about the variety of jobs she had during her internship, including preparing federal registers and attending congressional hearings and firm briefings.

Eli also discusses his summer internship with D.C. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He talks about his main intern duties which culminated in the creation of a promotional video for PSU and CSIS. He also reflects on the variety of opportunities he had to network with experts in the field.

Eli and Amanda compare their stories as summer interns – places they went, people they met, etc. They also share their thoughts about life in D.C. – the food, museums, monuments. The D.C. interns give some helpful advice for CLA students thinking about completing an internship in Capitol Hill. Make sure to take a look at the blog posts that Amanda and Eli wrote about their internship experiences on our LAUSatPSU blog over the summer.

Liberal Arts Voices: Episode 13

To subscribe to Liberal Arts Voices through iTunes, click here.

To find out more information about internship opportunities for Liberal Arts undergraduates, visit our new internship website.

We encourage all of our listeners to write to us with comments, questions, or suggestions at laus@la.psu.edu. We may even respond to these comments on the next episode of Liberal Arts Voices.

Reflections on My Washington Experience

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Being back at Penn State means that the summer is over. Though it may still be 90 degrees outside, I no longer have to spend the day in a suit. I still spend my day learning, but the subject matter is a little different. CATA is certainly a little different than WMATA. 

I left D.C. a few weeks ago and have just recently been able to look back on my experience with some takeaways:
1. The Networking– In Washington, I had the chance to meet so many brilliant people. I’m not just talking about the experts at CSIS or the external events I attended. My fellow interns, who I became good friends with, will be invaluable resources in my future. 
Washington is a great experience for anyone who wants to see just how little they actually know, and how much more intelligent everyone else is than you are. Even after-dinner conversations can teach you so much. My fondest memories of my time in the city were spent sitting around a table talking about the day’s news. 
2. The City– Washington is a big city that feels like a small city. It is fairly easy to get around with public transportation, and it is very walkable. Additionally, it has many unique neighborhoods that each elicit pride from residents. When you factor in the free museums, amazing ethnic food, shopping, and concerts, I may just end up back there after college. All it really needs is a quality bagel place that’s open on the weekends. 
3. The Work– Working at CSIS was a great experience for me because, having been previously interested in think tanks, I needed a clearer idea of what exactly they did. Being in the inside, so to speak, gave me first hand knowledge about all of the different work they do, from events to education, and publishing to presenting. They don’t just sit in a room and think about things. My supervisors at CSIS were very supportive and full of suggestions about what to do in the city and who to talk to. I feel that, if I ever have a question or need a letter of recommendation, I can turn to them.
Those are the three main things I took away from this summer. Additionally, D.C. is very hot. There is a Starbucks on every corner. Motorcades are normal. Diplomatic license plates on Volkswagen Beetles look weird. You can generally get away with crossing the street even when it tells you not to. Taxi drivers are nice. Walk around the monuments at night. 
I will be in D.C. again in the near-future, which is awesome. As the LA for IST 445H, I get to go back to D.C. and CSIS for a few days in mid-October. Additionally, there are a few concerts down there that I will be attending. 
If you have any questions about what Washington or CSIS was like, send me an email or @reply me on twitter @eliglazier.

DC Chillin’: An Intern’s DC Experiences

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Washington is great. 

I don’t really know how else to say it. Over the past few weeks since I last blogged, my experiences, both in the city and at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, have only increased my appreciation for our nation’s capital. While the summer in DC is very warm, as promised, the weather has provided many opportunities to duck into many different restaurants and stores to cool off. One of my best restaurant experiences in the city occurred over the July 4th weekend in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. We were strolling down 18th Street, and eager to get off our feet and out of the heat (We had previously toured the National Zoo, a short walk away… and free too!), we walked in to one of the three Ethiopian restaurants on the street, named Meskerem, and sat down for dinner. Having never eaten Ethiopian before, I didn’t really know what to expect. My meal consisted of a spicy beef stew eaten by hand, using a giant rolled-up spongy tortilla-like bread as a utensil. It was absolutely fantastic. I’ll definitely be stopping by there again before I leave on the 14th of August. For lovers of ethnic restaurants, Washington has something for everyone. Countless ethnic groups have settled in the city over the years. Inside the Beltway, there are large Indian, Salvadoran, Ethiopian, and Hispanic populations that each have their own delicious food. 
Moving past the food on 4th of July weekend, I spent the actual holiday having a picnic on the Potomac waterfront in Georgetown, which gave me a perfect sightline to the fireworks over the Kennedy Center. The actual fireworks themselves were pretty great, and you obviously couldn’t beat the atmosphere. 
After the long weekend, work became much more interesting. I worked with my supervisor, Scott, on updating the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Institute website, and also recently spent time researching American biomass power plants. A longer term project I am currently working on is the development of a promotional video for the Penn State class, IST 445H, Globalization Trends and World Issues I took in the fall. The class, taught last year by Dr. Andrea Tapia, is the product of a special Penn State relationship with CSIS that features a two-day seminar in Washington halfway through the semester. Without taking that class, I probably would not have had this wonderful opportunity. 
One of the better things about CSIS, which I may have already mentioned, is that we have many, many speakers visit and present about their expertise every day. These sessions are chances to interact with great minds, to learn about different points of view, and to get free food. My program is responsible for setting up for many of these speakers, which entails setting up chairs, and bringing water, soda, and ice to the conference room where the event is taking place. In addition to speakers at CSIS, Washington has many events every day. On Tuesday, I was dispatched to the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center to take notes on the day-long public forum for the Clean Energy Ministerial, a meeting of the energy ministers from countries that make up 80 percent of the world’s energy consumption. Organized by Dr. Steven Chu, the Secretary of Energy, I learned much about what is needed for the world to have a cleaner, greener future. 
That’s the thing about this city. It gives you so many chances every day to learn things you never knew, experience things you’ve never done, and meet people that are very influential in their respective fields. Coming to Washington and CSIS for the summer has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. If you have any interest in politics or international affairs, I highly recommend applying to intern here. 
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