Veterans Congressional Veterans Congressional Internship ProgramInternship Program

History of the ProgramHistory of the Program

Founded by Rear Admiral [Ret.] James J. Founded by Rear Admiral [Ret.] James J. Carey [Navy] Carey [Navy]

Saw the need for opportunities to allow Saw the need for opportunities to allow veterans to bridge the professional gap veterans to bridge the professional gap from military service to civilian careerfrom military service to civilian career

Best option to accomplish this goal:Best option to accomplish this goal:– Create a program specifically designed for Create a program specifically designed for

veteransveterans– Use already existing Washington Scholars Use already existing Washington Scholars

Fellowship Program (WSFP) ModelFellowship Program (WSFP) Model– www.washingtonscholars.orgwww.washingtonscholars.org

The WSFP ModelThe WSFP Model

Program Modeled off WSFP Program Modeled off WSFP – Gain professional experienceGain professional experience– Get to know inside WashingtonGet to know inside Washington– Create network of professional contactsCreate network of professional contacts– Gain potential college creditGain potential college credit– Obtain the credentials necessary for Obtain the credentials necessary for

lifetime careerlifetime career

Unique Aspects of Veterans Unique Aspects of Veterans ProgramProgram

Only open to military veteransOnly open to military veterans Only places veterans in congressional Only places veterans in congressional

aid rolesaid roles Bridges the “gap” between academic, Bridges the “gap” between academic,

military, and professional experiencemilitary, and professional experience Lays the groundwork for a lifetime Lays the groundwork for a lifetime

career as a Congressional Staff career as a Congressional Staff MemberMember

Why CongressWhy Congress

60 year steady decline in number of 60 year steady decline in number of members of congress who are members of congress who are military vetsmilitary vets

Almost all full-time congressional Almost all full-time congressional assistants need previous “on the hill” assistants need previous “on the hill” experience to get hiredexperience to get hired

Chance to become directly involved Chance to become directly involved in the formation of national public in the formation of national public policy well before age 30 policy well before age 30

Time Frame of FellowshipsTime Frame of Fellowships

[Each Fellowship is 10 weeks with flexible [Each Fellowship is 10 weeks with flexible start date]start date]

SummerSummer– Start: late May/ early JuneStart: late May/ early June– End: mid-late August End: mid-late August

FallFall– Start: SeptemberStart: September– End: DecemberEnd: December

Winter/ SpringWinter/ Spring– Start: January/ February Start: January/ February – End: March/ April End: March/ April

Perks and Advantages of Perks and Advantages of ProgramProgram

10 week paid internship10 week paid internship– Housing ScholarshipHousing Scholarship– Weekly Stipend ScholarshipWeekly Stipend Scholarship

Access to a Unique and Powerful NetworkAccess to a Unique and Powerful Network– Alumni of the WSFPAlumni of the WSFP– Excellent networking and professional contact Excellent networking and professional contact

tooltool Professional “on the hill” experienceProfessional “on the hill” experience

– Great hiring advantage on your resumeGreat hiring advantage on your resume– Congressional Staff experience is a Congressional Staff experience is a

prerequisite for most Congressional Staff jobsprerequisite for most Congressional Staff jobs

How and When to ApplyHow and When to Apply

Go to Go to www.washingtonscholars.orgwww.washingtonscholars.org Click on “Veterans Congressional Click on “Veterans Congressional

Internship Program”Internship Program”

How and When to ApplyHow and When to Apply

Follow instructions on the application Follow instructions on the application pagepage– Be sure to denote that you are applying Be sure to denote that you are applying

for the “Veterans Internship Program”for the “Veterans Internship Program”– Also indicate Fall, Winter/Spring, or Also indicate Fall, Winter/Spring, or

SummerSummer

APPLY NOW!!!APPLY NOW!!!

Examples of Success Examples of Success

Bo Posch Bo Posch – Fall 2008 Fellowship as Military Assistant Fall 2008 Fellowship as Military Assistant

Fellow on staff of Senator Ensign of NevadaFellow on staff of Senator Ensign of Nevada– Hired Jan. 2009 as Military Legislative Assistant Hired Jan. 2009 as Military Legislative Assistant

to Senator Kit Bond of Missouri to Senator Kit Bond of Missouri – In his own words:

95% of finding a job on the Hill is "having a job on the 95% of finding a job on the Hill is "having a job on the Hill“Hill“

Combat experience and proficiency in the active Combat experience and proficiency in the active military component was an asset that many Military military component was an asset that many Military Legislative Assistants DO NOT have, and was a strong Legislative Assistants DO NOT have, and was a strong plus in the Congressional hiring processplus in the Congressional hiring process

QuestionsQuestions

Questions concerning application Questions concerning application process or program logisticsprocess or program logistics– Ken AbbottKen Abbott

kabbott824@gmail.comkabbott824@gmail.com 410-340-1648410-340-1648

Questions concerning experience in Questions concerning experience in the programthe program– Bo ProschBo Prosch

bo.prosch@gmail.combo.prosch@gmail.com