Five UNC Greensboro students are living and working in Washington, D.C. this summer, thanks to an exciting new partnership with The Washington Center.
The Washington Center (TWC) provides educational programs, internships, and networking opportunities for college students and recent graduates. This year, Career & Professional Development (CPD) connected 28 UNCG students with experiences at TWC, the latest being a summer “Academic Internship Program” that offers real-world work experience, course credit hours, and housing accommodations in our nation’s capital.
Profitable Partnerships
95% of TWC alumni claim that its programs prepared them for their future careers, including some UNCG faculty members. “Meredith Atchison and Dr. Heather Adams had wonderful things to say about their collegiate experiences with The Washington Center,” says Megan Walters, director of CPD. “It’s a sophisticated program and we have a lot of financial support built in from the state of North Carolina. TWC is very well positioned in D.C. and connected across all industries, and the financial assistance is just icing on the cake.”
Justin Golding coordinated the program and far exceeded CPD’s internal goal of engaging ten students in WTC programs during the school year. He connected nine students with TWC’s 3-day “Workforce Readiness” networking program in November and sent 16 to the 9-day “Inside Washington” public policy seminars in January, before accepting applications for TWC’s summer internship program.
Using state funding and the “Build A Better Tomorrow” Scholarship Program with Reynolds American, CPD estimated that there would be funding for five scholarships for TWC’s Academic Internship Program this summer. These scholarships provided for housing on TWC’s campus in Washington, D.C., a class with credit hours, and placement in an internship with an organization in the D.C. area. Costs for each student are estimated at $13,000.
“We are very thankful for Reynolds American’s scholarship partnership” says Golding. “It’s a game changer for our students to have their living expenses covered by this funding. Furthermore, 70% of the internships are paid either by an hourly wage or stipend. Next year, TWC’s goal is for the internships to be 100% paid.”
Spartans at Work in the Capital City
Jessica Diaz, Taylor Hall, Molly Jones, Grant Pareja, and Tyler Whitaker were accepted from the applicants vying for the scholarship. They were immediately assigned an academic advisor to help place them with an internship matching their fields of study, goals, and interests.
“I had trouble finding a summer internship, so I went to the CPD office and Justin recommended The Washington Center,” says Jessica Diaz, a business administration major who interned with Cynuria Consulting’s human resources office. “After looking into the program, I really liked that scholarships would be available so I could live in D.C. for the summer without financial burdens.”
Tyler Whitaker, a third-year majoring in finance, was placed with the National Labor Relations Board. “My internship perfectly aligns with my interests as I have been overseeing federal budgets and contracts, as well as identifying the purpose of budget executions. The experience has made me consider seeking employment with the federal government after college.”
Psychology major Taylor Hall is applying her studies in an internship with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. “My primary responsibility is to reach out to different psychology departments at universities to promote potential memberships through our organization. The experience has been both challenging and rewarding.” As she prepares to apply to graduate school this year, she appreciated the opportunity to connect with universities and with other students in the program. “Networking with students from diverse backgrounds and areas during my time in D.C. has made me appreciate the diversity and inclusion we enjoy at UNCG.”
Grant Pareja brings his biology studies to Off the Battlefield Foundation’s headquarters in Washington DC. “This organization focuses on improving the mental well-being of Ukrainian veterans with a mission to ‘restore and support communities devastated by conflict.’ The experience will prepare me for my future career as a science diplomat, as it gives me actual experience in integrating medical and scientific insights into tangible beneficial policies and results.”
As dissimilar as their internship responsibilities may seem, all students were unanimous in their praise for Golding’s guidance in steering them towards The Washington Center.
“Getting the chance to live in D.C. (for free thanks to scholarship funding), gain professional experience and connections, meet new people – and earn academic credit while you are at it – is a unique opportunity,” says Molly Jones, a political science and sociology double major who is getting fundraising experience with Generations for Peace, USA. “As someone who is a senior, I wish I had done this sooner. I’ve met such amazing people this summer!”
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photos are courtesy of student submissions.
