The Penn in Washington program’s main goal is to encourage Penn students to consider careers in public policy. In addition to providing internship placement assistance throughout the year, during the summer in Washington they organize speakers and networking events and match interested students with alumni mentors who are willing to share career advice. Penn in Washington also helps Washington Semester Program students find internships during the academic year, and organizes several day trips to Washington for students who are considering Washington for the summer or their first job. The day trips serve as an introduction to Washington and an opportunity for students to speak to Penn alumni about their work. Alumni who would like to help can hire a Penn intern, mentor a student, or sponsor an event. Students in the College are encouraged to use the resources on the website, including an extensive database of internships in Washington and more limited options for New York City and elsewhere.
Visit the website or contact the program director, Deirdre Martinez, for more information.
The Washington Semester Program offers Penn students an opportunity to learn from first-hand experience in the political and governmental process while taking courses taught by Penn faculty in the nation's capital.
Although designed primarily to fit the needs of social science majors, the program may be suitable for science and humanities majors with serious interest in public policy, politics and government.
The program features 4 c.u. of study, a research project, and an internship in an organization or agency related to the student's career and research interests. This program operates in many respects like a semester abroad.
