Learning by Doing in the Nation's Capital

From Capitol Hill to nonprofit and advocacy organizations, students in the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) spent the fall gaining professional experience and exploring career interests in Washington, DC. Open to CMU undergraduate students pursuing any major, the program combines coursework with experiential learning — all while living in the heart of the nation.

This unique combination helps students identify and investigate opportunities that align with their career goals and personal interests. "Participating in WSP allowed me to explore new career interests and gain exposure to unique internship experiences,” shared Varsha Gaddam, who is majoring in business administration as well as ethics, history, and public policy, and is one of several students in the Tepper School of Business who completed the program last fall. “Additionally, the program's classes provided an exclusive opportunity to learn directly from career professionals in fields I am passionate about pursuing," she said.

For some students, the CMU/WSP has been part of their plan since receiving their acceptance letter to CMU. “I had planned on doing the Washington Semester Program since I applied as a senior [in high school],” said Kira Monji, a student majoring in international relations and political science. “My time in DC has solidified my choice in major and helped me define what I want to pursue as a career,” she added, noting that she plans to return to Washington in the summer.

Left: Mateo Ruiz, Right: Kira Monji

Interning in the nation’s capital frequently enables students to synthesize diverse interests. “As someone recently transitioning into a new major, I was eager to understand how my technical skills could be leveraged within a governmental framework,” said Mateo Ruiz, a senior majoring in ethics, history, and public policy. He particularly enjoyed the opportunity to attend briefings focused on technology as part of his internship at the House of Representatives, in the office of Congresswoman Susie Lee of Nevada.

“It was eye-opening to see how policymakers approached the same technological advancements I was studying as an engineering major,” added Ruiz, noting that his experience underscored both the importance of expanding technological literacy and the need for thoughtful consideration of rapid change. “It really encouraged me to step into the intersection between these two passions.”

Highlights of the internship experience include the opportunity to engage in a variety of tasks while making meaningful contributions. Sebin (Eichel) Choi, a senior majoring in information systems with a dual major in human-computer interaction, shared, “One of the most memorable moments was representing an optometrist association in meetings with governors and senators on Capitol Hill, advocating for millions of uninsured Americans to gain access to essential medical benefits.” Choi, who completed an internship at LobbyIt, appreciated that his role combined administrative, client-facing, research-oriented, team-centered, and policy-related aspects while also offering the chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.

Sebin (Eichel) Choi

A typical week for Monji, who interned at the Institute for World Politics (IWP), included conducting a briefing, contributing to an ongoing research project, attending IWP classes, touring a local museum or agency, and participating in a war game simulation. “I was constantly learning about both current and historical events,” she said. “It was truly a fantastic internship experience.”

While the internships are often fast-paced, students report feeling well-prepared to succeed.

“CMU helped prepare me for the application process and the interview process through hands-on workshops,” said Zuleima Noriega, an international relations and political science major who interned with the Feminist Majority Foundation. Alyssa Beeching, who is pursuing majors in behavioral economics and international relations and political science, found that the writing for political science and public policy course was good preparation for the various writing tasks required while interning at Nucor Public Affairs.

Alyssa Beeching

As the sponsor of the CMU/WSP, Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST) is committed to supporting students throughout the internship process. Before beginning the program, participants take a mini-course that covers key aspects of professionalism. While in DC, students meet for a weekly seminar to report and reflect on their internship experiences.

As a result, students are prepared to discern the next steps in their career trajectories. “This internship seamlessly ties into my CMU studies and future aspirations by offering me hands-on experience in policy areas crucial to my career goals,” said Ruiz.

Over the course of their internship, students report additional benefits, such as becoming more confident with making connections and gaining a better appreciation for how policy is created. Another perk for students who complete the program is that they are well-positioned to earn a minor in politics and public policy and are eligible to apply for the accelerated master's program in security, technology, and international relations (MS STAIR-AMP).

Students often have opportunities to meet senators and congressional representatives through office visits and DC events. “I loved exploring different parts of the city and meeting other people through my work,” said Beeching.

Washington Program Manager Ashley Barnes works with students to help them build professional opportunities. The experience generates momentum and often students seek additional internships and coursework. "No matter where students are coming from in terms of their area of study, there are plenty of opportunities," said Barnes. “After completing the CMU/WSP, students have a clearer direction of what kind of career they want to have in the future.”

Applications to the CMU/WSP are accepted twice a year, with a deadline of March 1 for students who would like to participate in the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. To learn more about the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program, contact Washington Program Manager Ashley Barnes.