Internship at the Internships at Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Internship Opportunities through The Fund for American Studies
Some of you who are careful readers of the New York Times may have seen the recent obituary for James O. Freedman, former president of Dartmouth University. Dr. Freedman is the author of a fine book about the value of a liberal arts education (Liberal Education and the Public Interest, University of Iowa Press, 2003) and his ideas are relevant to those facing the always challenging question, What do I do with a political science major?
Dr. Freedman said in a Times interview several years ago that a "Liberal education opens our eyes to what life is principally about. It's about understanding yourself and having some resources to deal with everything life throws at you. It's about developing a moral compass and some understanding of how society works, how democracies work." Contrary to what critics might say, when it comes to getting a job in today's economy, Dr. Freedman says a liberal education is an important advantage. "A liberal education is what teaches people how to write and how to think and makes them much more valuable in the job market over a 40-year career than graduates of a preprofessional program. All the employers will tell you that they're seeking the flexibility of mind that a liberal education imbues."
I believe that Dr. Freedman's words are true—I hear it from alumni all the time—but since the careers of Liberal Arts majors unfold in jagged, uneven, and unpredictable ways it is probably difficult for students to appreciate them in their junior and senior years. Unlike students from pre-professional programs, it is actually very difficult to predict your career path from your first job. So meeting with seniors in exit interviews this spring I was again reminded that Dr. Freedman's words can seem a bit abstract.
Much less abstract is the opportunity to sit down with alumni who have been where you are right now to talk with them about how it all went for them. Two events coming up soon (and discussed below) offer this opportunity. At our annual banquet we invite alumni from a variety of fields at different points in their careers to talk with you over dinner. I'm not sure yet who will be able to attend, but it's certainly worth buying a ticket to spend an evening with fellow students, faculty and alumni to talk and think a bit about what to do when you leave (and perhaps, what you might want to do while you are still here—this is not for seniors only). And for those of you more focused on law, come to Liberal Arts law day (also discussed below). Remember—you can go to law school and not practice law. Come talk to a lawyer about it.
See you at the banquet.
Mbb
Get your Tickets Now! Annual Student-Alumni Banquet
Tickets for this year's student-alumni banquet, sponsored by the Political Science Department and the student Political Science Association are now on sale beginning Today, March 14, from the peer consultants in 202 Pond.
This year we will be awarding two alumni awards, recognizing student award winners, and providing plenty of opportunity to meet our alumni, faculty, and graduate students. The banquet will be on Thursday, April 6 in the Nittany Lion Inn ballroom. The opening reception is at 6, dinner at 7.
Tickets are required: 15 dollars for students and 20 dollars for non-student guests (bring your parents!). If you need financial assistance for tickets please let me know.
Peer Consultants Wanted
Applications are being accepted until March 31 to be a peer consultant next fall. Peer consultants are paid and work between 1 and 4 hours a week. To apply, bring a letter explaining why you would be a good peer consultant, your resume, and an unofficial transcript to 202 Pond. Peer consultants should be good students with strong interpersonal skills. Internship experience is a plus! If you are curious about what the job involves stop by and speak with Mary Cameron or our current peer consultants, who are on duty from around 11-3 each day.
Financial Support for Internships and Study Abroad
Alumni of The Political Science Department have made available funds to use to support student study abroad, internships, and research. These awards are made on competitive basis.
Applications are due by March 31. If you are still waiting to hear about whether you were accepted to an internship apply anyway. You can update us later. Submit applications to Ginny Struble in 202 Pond Lab. Email submissions are not accepted.
For Internships: If you have been accepted into an internship, or have an application pending, you can apply for internship support. Some of these funds are limited to students with demonstrated financial need. This information comes to us from the College of Liberal Arts. For internship support please submit a 1-2 page letter describing your internship, its relationship to your course of study, and expected expenses. Let us know if you will be receiving a stipend or pay for the internship. Include as well a resume and unofficial course transcript. Please update us if there are any changes in your internship plans after submitting the application.
For Study Abroad: If you are planning on studying abroad submit a 1-2 page description of your plans and how they relate to your course of study in Political Science or International Politics. Include as well a resume and unofficial course transcript. Apply for summer or fall study abroad.
For Research:In 1-2 pages, describe your research and how you will use research funds. Submit a budget, list of other financial support (if applicable), unofficial course transcript, and a resume.
Some of you may already be applying for support from the College of the Liberal Arts. Enrichment requests from Liberal Arts should be accompanied by the information above.
For those few of you who may be considering Law School
These College of Liberal Arts Law Days are valuable opportunities to meet with alumni who now in legal careers.
Don't miss this fabulous opportunity to learn about a wide variety of law careers and law schools from lawyer-alumni in large and small practice in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington.Panel Presentation and Q&A7 pm, Thursday, March 3022 Deike Building
One-on-one Appointments: 8:30 a.m. to Noon, Friday, March 31, 322 HUB (advanced sign-up for one-on-ones required and business casual attire recommended)
The National Science Foundations' Division of Social and Economic Sciences has an opportunity for
recent graduates, holding at least a baccalaureate degree, to serve as a science assistant. One position will support the Social and Political Sciences, which includes the Political Science, Sociology,and Law & Social Science Programs. The selected applicant will provide scientific assistance to the program directors in all phases of the proposal review process and coordination of proposal review activities. This is an outstanding opportunity for former students who are considering graduate school. Applications must be received
by March 28. More information on the position can be found at http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2006/e20060063/e20060063.txt.
Study Abroad this summer, in Canada
Penn State University is offering a new summer session politicalscience course to take place on the Ryerson University campus in downtown Toronto, Canada, between mid-May and early June 2006.
The course will be titled North American Politics, and it will focus on comparing the political histories, politics, and institutions of the United States and Canada and on international relations between the
countries. The course will be co-taught by Dr. Robert Speel (PhD, Cornell University), an associate professor of political science at Penn State Erie, and Dr. Gregory Inwood (PhD, University of Toronto), an associate professor of politics and public administration at Ryerson University.
The course is open to all Penn State students and to Ryerson University students in Toronto.
The class will meet during a three-week summer session which starts Wednesday, May 10 and continues through Wednesday, May 31, with a final exam scheduled for Friday, June 2. The full program will begin with a move-in date of Sunday, May 7. Students will stay in Ryerson housing at the International Living and
Learning Center (http://www.ryerson.ca/conference/accommodations/illc/index.html). The Ryerson campus is in the center of downtown Toronto, within a couple of blocks of the Eaton Centre, Toronto's large underground shopping mall and next to the Yonge Street and Dundas Square shopping, entertainment, and tourism-oriented areas.
During the one-month program in Toronto, Dr. Speel will be leading Penn State students on group excursions (sometimes joined by Dr. Inwood and the Ryerson students) to the Ontario Parliament Buildings, the CN
Tower, the Harbourfront Cultural Centre, the Royal Ontario Museum, and historic Fort York, as well as other seasonal events.
Brochures and applications for the program are available at the Penn State Education Abroad office in 410 Boucke Building. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The applications and deposit can be mailed directly to Dr. Speel in the Program in Political Science, Penn State Erie, 5091 Station Road, Erie,
PA 16563, or can be dropped off at the Education Abroad office in the Boucke Building.
Students with any questions about the course or program or who wish to express interest in participating are free to email Dr. Speel at RWS15@psu.edu
Internship at the Internships at Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Recent Political Science alumnus Sara Ryan is hiring summer interns:
Field Internships (2): The Field Interns will help the national office promote the work of Americans United among chapter members, students, local activists, and other supportive organizations. Specific duties will include: facilitating communication with community activists, helping to organize trainings for activists, drafting the summer edition of our chapter newsletter, and assisting department staff in the production of outreach materials. Additionally, the intern may be asked to represent Americans United at local and national conferences.
Internship Opportunities through The Fund for American Studies
LIVE. LEARN. INTERN. SUMMER INSTITUTES
This summer: June 10 – August 5, 2006
Georgetown University, Washington, DC www.dcinternships.org
**FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE – MARCH 31, 2006**
Scholarships are still available for the LIVE. LEARN. INTERN. Summer Institutes sponsored by The Fund for American Studies in partnership with Georgetown University. Our Institutes combine substantiveinternships, courses for academic credit, career development activities, site briefings, and lectures led by prominent policy experts. A substantial amount of scholarship funding is still available.
Internships – Competitive placements with top sites in DC
Classes – Up to 9 transferable credits from Georgetown University
Housing – Furnished on-campus apartments in the heart of DC
Scholarships – Over half of all students receive full or partial funding
Networking – Numerous opportunities for professional growth
Leadership Development - Leadership and career building activities
Site Briefings –Students hear from national leaders at places such as The White House, State Department, House of Representatives, and the Federal Reserve.
Four eight-week programs are offered in the following subject areas:
Politics and Economics
Journalism
Business and Government Affairs
Nonprofit and Community Service
For more information and an online application, please visit our website www.dcinternships.org or contact Mary Connell, Institutes Coordinator, at mconnell@tfas.org or 1-800-741-6964.