The DC program requires a 40-hour (full-time) internship, Gov30, in which you learn about Washington D.C. As you intern, you will come to understand the "magnificent intentions" of those who work in D.C. To learn about Washington D.C., you would not choose normal internships that would be available in another major city (e.g. i-banking, museums, hospitals, etc.) Before you apply, you should choose the type of internship experience you would like:
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The Hill (House or Senate) - If you're interested in working as a Hill staffer after college, then you should consider working on the Hill. Most offices want to see that you've gone through the "foot-soldier" work of a campaign, a personal office, or another partisan organization before you work on the Hill. Most Hill work consists of constituent services, daily newspaper clips, and small research assignments. In order to receive substantive work, you will have to complete your usual administrative duties and do more than the normal amount. Most people recommend that you work in the House than in the Senate because you are more likely to be given more responsibility with smaller staff. Supposedly, the best work on the Hill is on committees, but a limited amount of space is available on committees. To receive these internships (esp. committee internships), it is best if you are a constituent for the member (chair or ranking member), or if you have a personal connection. Note: All things on the Hill are split between Majority & Minority: the minority has a smaller budget, than the majority. Pay: Expect unpaid.
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Advocacy Organization (Think Tanks, Lobbying Firms, or Watchdogs): Think Tanks (non-partisan like RFF, PIPA; subtly partisan like AEI, Brookings, Hudson, Cato, PPI) influence Congress through their academic studies, research operations, polling organizations, and their ability to craft messages for Congress. Lobbying Firms (private- list; advocacy- AFT, NFIB) try to influence Congress through their congressional liaisons and their meetings with Congressional & Executive staff (legislative process). Watchdog groups (Fiscal- TCS, POGO, CAGW; Environmental- EWG, Public Citizen) conduct hard-hitting research in order to affect the news cycle. Many organizations can be a combination of two or even all three of these types. Depending on the experience you want (or the issue you like), you can learn of the different types of pressure that each group exerts on Members. Pay: Varies.
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Party Organizations- All party organizations are always in need of free labour in their efforts to move public opinion (by crafting messages), motivate donors, mobilize voters, and conduct opposition research. These organizations are the most active during the election cycle, but also need interns during the legislative years. Certain party organizations are affiliated with the party (DNC, RNC, DSCC, NRSC, DCCC, NRCC), while others are organizations that are associated with a particular party (Emily's List, NRA, etc.). If you're a very hard worker interested in party politics, you might enjoy working for a party organization. Pay: Expect unpaid.
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News Organizations (e.g. ABC, Roll Call, Congress Daily) - The News Cycle is one of the most important mediums that affects Congress. If a particular issue sticks with the news, then Members will begin to care. The only catch is that most news organizations are looking for a journalist-in-training, unless you want to intern in the Washington Post Business Dept. A journalist-in-training will have sample clips, in addition to his/her resume & cover letter. Pay: Expect unpaid.
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Agencies (e.g. DOL, GAO, USDA, EPA, CIA, DIA, DOJ, State, and FBI)- Landing an internship in an agency is fairly difficult because many people apply and the federal government has early application deadlines. Working for a federal agency gives you a leg up in any field because you function in a large organizational environment, and you are specialized in a particular field. For many people, working in a federal agency is good job security (because it pays more than the Hill) and if you're interested in public service, most federal agencies allow you to raise a family and still move up the ladder. Additionally, federal agencies allow you to exercise your expertise (e.g. EPA-biology major). To see federal job openings, go to the OPM website. You'll need to apply online, and if you are set for a particular federal agency, you need to find their human resources/human capital liaison to speak to. Keep in mind, unless you work in congressional/legislative affairs (which are basically the same work as on the Hill), you will not be participating in the day-to-day operations of Washington, D.C. and most of those working around you will have had graduate degrees. Note: State Dept., CIA, and other high profile internships require you to apply almost a year in advance. If you're a future I-banker or economist, you might want to try the OCC in the Treasury (they control credit lending) or the CEA. Pay: Varies (some volunteer, some as high as GS-7)
For a further listing of internships: visit Prof. Pitney's Internship page, the Everett Public Service Internships, Studentjobs.gov, or Monstertrak (contact Career Services for Username & Password; if you want a paid internship, look in Monstertrak). Remember that you will be working at this place for a whole five months, choose wisely. To ace the internship, you should (a) do your work, and (b) go to your supervisor and say, "My evaluation will be coming up, is there anything more I need to do to receive an A on my internship?" It's pretty simple.