Description:

Research Assistant Internships

The majority of the interns at the Woodrow Wilson Center serve as research assistants or scholar interns for visiting scholars. Research assistants are talented students from universities around the country who combine part-time hours at the Center with their studies and with other activities. A research assistant typically works 12-15 hours a week per scholar. A position as a research assistant is particularly appropriate for a student planning to move on to graduate studies, or for students wishing to develop a deeper understanding of their field of study. In addition to assisting with research, interns have the opportunity to network with experts in their chosen fields.

The Center has at least 50 research interns at any one time, many of whom are replaced at the end of each academic term. Most research assistants do an internship for academic credit and do not receive a stipend. The Center is willing to coordinate with each student and school in filling out academic credit paperwork. A modest stipend may be available if the student is not receiving academic credit.

Activities

Most scholars who come to the Wilson Center spend their time carrying out research, writing books, and making public presentations. Research assistants have the unique opportunity to work directly with these experts, as they examine issues of contemporary public policy or explore topics that provide the historical context behind today’s public policy debates. Most research assistants at the Center work with university professors who are scholars at the Wilson Center while on leave from their home institutions. Other assistants may be assigned to journalists, present and former government officials (such as diplomats and ambassadors) or, occasionally, to scholars from the private sector.

In support of the scholars, research assistants spend much of their time searching for information, using online academic databases or other publications. They often perform other duties, as well, such as proofreading, editing, critiquing, checking references, compiling bibliographies, conducting literature reviews, summarizing research materials, locating inter-library loan materials, and helping with software or presentational tasks. There may be some administrative tasks involved like copying or filing, but such tasks will be limited. Consequently, a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to work with a minimum of supervision are strong assets. Foreign language skills are sometimes useful.

While at the Center, all interns are encouraged to go beyond their particular internship responsibilities and to attend our many panel discussions, conferences, symposia, and other meetings. Interns are also welcome to join staff and scholars during some social events.

Program/Staff Internships

The Wilson Center also recruits interns to work in its various program, administrative, and press offices. These interns work alongside the Wilson Center staff and who have an interest in, coursework related to, and/or experience working on a variety of issues consistent with the work of our various offices, programs and projects.

The Center’s staff internship appointments are generally made consistent with academic semesters (i.e., Fall, Spring and Summer/three to four months); although appointments are made throughout the year for periods of varying length. No internship will exceed one year in duration.

These internships are designed to provide the individuals selected with the opportunity for practical experience in an environment that successfully mixes academic study with public policy. The intern will gain valuable experience and, depending on the office, assignments might include: conference organization; library and internet research; assistance with the preparation of publications and/or outreach materials; and/or administrative assignments in support of Center activities. Internships also provide opportunities for those selected to attend events within the Wilson Center and around Washington.

Successful applicants should have: strong research and/or administrative skills; be detail-oriented; be able to work independently and collectively as part of group; and, be currently enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate degree program, a recent graduate (within one calendar year), and/or have been accepted to enter an advanced degree program. Some of our international programs might require candidates to possess a working knowledge of a foreign language.

The Center offers both paid and unpaid staff internships. The number of paid internships is limited. As a general rule, offices are looking for individuals who are willing to devote 10 - 20 hours per week. For those seeking paid internships with the Center’s staff offices, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to hire only individuals who are eligible to work in the United States. An individual selected for a paid internship will be expected to present proper evidence establishing employability prior to being appointed.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be a current, recent (within one calendar year), and/or have been accepted to enter an advanced degree program. Most interns are of at least senior undergraduate level, though strongly qualified juniors will be considered. Graduate students are eligible to apply.

International students are eligible, but they must hold a valid F-1 or J-1 visa and appropriate work authorization especially if they are receiving compensation for the internships. The Wilson Center does not sponsor visas.

All international students must obtain written permission from their Designated School Official or Responsible Visa Officer at their university stating that they are in valid immigration status and eligible to do an internship at the Center.

Typical research assistants are students of political science; U.S. government/politics; international relations; history (including US history); foreign languages; international affairs; regional studies; economics; public policy; security studies; journalism and similar disciplines, though students of many other fields of study have sometimes been selected. New scholars are constantly arriving at the Wilson Center, and it can be difficult to predict what specific projects will be carried out in the future. For that reason, all interested students are encouraged to apply.

Paid Internship Info:

Most internships are unpaid for academic credit

Hours:

10-35 hours/week

Length/Availability:

3 months to 1 year

Start Date:

Year-round

End Date:

, , never, Year-round

Deadline:

Year-round, see How to Apply section

Tags:

government    public  policy    international  relations    law    research    think  tank    thinktank 

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