GVPT Undergraduate Newsletter

5. DC Public Affairs Internship Opportunity
6. Internship Opportunity with the United Jewish Communities (UCJ)*New*

1. Internship Opportunity with Senator Patty Murray

U.S. Senator Patty Murray's DC office is offering legislative and press internships to students who want to learn more about the federal government and who want to be part of a hardworking team dedicated to serving the citizens of Washington state. Internship sessions are generally scheduled on the academic quarter: fall, winter, spring, summer. Internships are unpaid and are available for school credit if approved. D.C. interns typically work full time (40 hours per week).

Responsibilities: Assisting with research, engaging in written and verbal communication with constituents and federal agencies, assisting at press conferences, attending briefings, and performing a variety of administrative tasks including fielding calls from constituents and greeting visitors.

Qualifications: Applicants must be graduate or undergraduate college students who have completed at least one year of college.

More information and the application can be found at http://murray.senate.gov/internship

2. Internship Opportunity with Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards

The Office of Congresswomen Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) is seeking qualified interns for the summer semester to serve in Washington, D.C. The Washington, D.C. intern experience is designed to immerse interns in all areas of a congressional work environment. Interns are required to exhibit strong written and verbal communication and will be expected to conduct capital tours, research, and assist with administrative duties. In addition, they will respond to constituent letters and requests, attend hearing and briefings, and complete projects in specific issue areas as requested.

Responsibilities: Assisting with research, preparing talking points, remarks and press releases.

Qualifications: Applicants should be familiar with the legislative process, have a desire to learn while being a part of a hardworking team, and be dedicated to serving the citizens of Maryland. In addition, press interns will work primarily with the communications director. Communication interns typically have strong knowledge of communication or media background. Students or recent graduates with communication or journalism degrees preferred but not required.

Application Process: Candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to veronica.hernandez@mail.house.gov

3. Internship Opportunity with Congressman Paul Tonko

The Office of Congressman Tonko is seeking qualified interns for the Fall semester. Openings are available in his district offices in NY (Albany and Schenectady) and in Washington D.C.

Responsibilities: Interns will be expected to make and keep commitments to work agreed-upon part-time or full-time schedules, depending on their academic schedules. Duties will include a range of office work and will provide interns an opportunity to become familiar with the inner workings of a Congressional office.

Qualifications: Applicants should be enthusiastic, and hard-working with strong writing and communications skills. New York ties are preferable but not required.

Application Process: Candidates interested in working in the Washington D.C. office should email their resume and cover letter to michael.lehman@mail.house.gov. Candidates interested in working in the District offices should email their resume and cover letter to sean.shortell@mail.house.gov.

4. Suicide Terrorism Database Project seeking Research Assistants

Students seeking to attend graduate school and those interested in modern intergroup conflicts and the use of violence therein are encouraged to join Kristen Klein's graduate team as a research assistant for the summer 2009 and/or the 2009-2010 academic year. Students will have the opportunity to read through the project's database on suicide attacks in many of the major ethnic, political, and religious conflicts in the modern world, including: Palestine&Israel, Sri Lanka&the Tamil Tigers, Iraq&America, Chechnya&Russia. Assistants will gain knowledge of the individual and organizational accounts of these attacks and attackers, will gain experience in using primary and secondary source materials to verify critical information, and will learn much about the human causes and consequences of suicide terrorism in intergroup conflicts.

Qualifications: Students must be responsible and self-motivated. Fluency in languages involved in these conflicts (Arabic, Hebrew, Tamil, etc.) is a plus, but neither required nor necessary.

Duties: Students will comb through the database for specific types of information about the attacks and the attackers.

If you are interested, please contact Kristen Klein at: kleinkm@umd.edu

5. Dershowitz Group seeking interns for Fall 2009

The Dershowitz Group (TDG) services a wide range of clients including think tanks, foreign television stations, international humanitarian awards, coalitions of NGO’s and a press association.

Responsibilities: Interns may be asked to develop databases of influencers for relevant policy areas, draft business letters, talking points and FAQ sheets, and prepare client materials. Interns are frequently asked to take ownership of their projects and are given additional responsibilities based upon their professionalism and level of productivity.

Skills: Candidate must be able to demonstrate a knack for research, excellent time management skills and meticulous attention to detail. Candidate must be capable of following instructions in a precise manner, working in a fast-paced professional environment and learning from a constructive work environment. Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with senior staff with expertise in foreign policy, media relations, and journalism.

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a resume, a cover letter and a writing sample to Julia Nayfeld at Julia@DershowitzGroup.com

6. United Jewish Communities DC office seeking Fall Interns

The national office of one of the premier American Jewish organizations is seeking Fall interns who are looking to combine their interests in Jewish communal work and national politics. United Jewish Communities Washington is the legislative arm of United Jewish Communities/Jewish Federations of North America (UJC), bringing the voice of 157 Jewish community federations and 400 independent Jewish communities throughout North America to Capitol Hill as a prominent force in health and human service policy decision making. UJC’s legislative agenda is focused on bolstering baby boomer retirement policy, protecting Medicaid’s mission and funding, safeguarding non-profits from terrorism, and creating new alternatives for long-term elder care.

UJC interns will have the unique and unparalleled opportunity of exposure to a wide range of national public policy issues. Through this internship, interns will learn innovative approaches that stimulate community interest by organizing and informing local grassroots networks of Jewish federations. Interns will have the unique opportunity to attend the General Assembly held in Washington DC in early November. The General Assembly is the premier annual North American Jewish conference and is an event that inspires and engages current and emerging Jewish leaders, tackles the most critical issues of the day, and showcases the best of the Federation movement.

Responsibilities: Include attending congressional hearings; taking part in advocacy/leadership training days; compiling and analyzing surveys; and researching and writing on issues which include, but are not limited to, senior transportation, aging, and family caregiving.

Part-time and full-time internships are available for the Fall. A stipend is also available.

Application Process: Please forward a resume, short writing sample, references, and any questions to: Francie.harris@ujc.org or fax to 202.785.4937

7. New GVPT Fall 2009 Course Available

GVPT 449H Seminar in Political Philosophy: Distributive Justice in Theory and Practice

Restricted to Honors GVPT majors only, all others will be placed on the holdfile.

8. Federal Semester News Flash for BSOS Students

Engage in a Washington internship for credit! Apply now to the innovative Federal Semester Program, 2009-10! For details and information: http://www.federalsemester.umd.edu. Rising juniors and seniors of all majors are welcome. Yearlong program includes workshops on federal careers and professional development; trips to Capitol Hill; help obtaining internships in federal agencies, congressional offices, think tanks, NGOs dealing with federal policy, etc. Places still available in all three concentrations: U.S. Policy in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Homeland Security Policy, and Federal Health Policy. Rolling admissions.

News flash: The Federal Semester program is in the final process of applying for a Federal Grant for next year. If received, which is likely, there will be even more opportunities and support available for 2009-10 participants!

The newsletter is sent out on Fridays to all current University of Maryland students who have declared and been accepted into the GVPT major. Only information relevant to academic and extra-curricular opportunities for these students will be sent through the newsletter. The government advising office reserves the right to edit and review all submissions to the GVPT newsletter and deny any submissions at their sole discretion.

If you would like to submit information or announcements, please email ADVISING@gvpt.umd.edu. Only those submissions which are denied or delayed will be contacted further.