Internships and Seminars

1. Institute for Public Affairs Temple University The Pennsylvania Capital Semestergovernment affairs, policymaking, program implementation, media relations, economic development and more in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Internships and Seminars

2. What is the Capital Semester Program in Harrisburg? • Includes internship, internship seminar including policy analysis, and state government and politics course • Modeled on idea of study abroad—total immersion in state institutions and the world of state politics,policymaking, media relations and policy implementation • Internship placements in executive branch agencies, the state legislature, media outlets, and government-related private and non-profit employers • University-wide program for undergraduates of any major • Fall academic term only

3. High value of experiential learning Successful transition from academia to world of work Gain marketable skill set Build resume & portfolio Develop self-confidence, refine career goals Internships are a key path to government related employment Why do an internship? Pennsylvania Capital Semester students meet with Governor Rendell

4. What Majors and areas of interest are covered by The Pennsylvania Capital Semester? • Political Science • Communications • Criminal Justice • Journalism • Economic Development • Information Systems Technology • Geography-GIS • Liberal Arts • Public Policy • History • Lobbying and Public Advocacy • Local Government • Planning • Finance & Economics • Environment • And MORE ! Just ask! The possibilities in government and related areas are nearly endless….

5. Internship Placements • State legislature • State executive agencies/departments • Economic development organizations • Lobbying firms and associations • Non-profits • Issue advocacy organizations • Media and media relations offices/firms PLUS all the advantages of a guided search—Temple makes the initial contacts and sets up interviews Apply EARLY for best choice and a good fit!

6. Paid or Unpaid Internships? • Some internships are paid; some are not • The state executive branch has recently suspended paid internships due to the economic crisis and resulting revenue shortfalls. • For students taking unpaid internships, remember, the experience gained is invaluable, and you are earning course credit!

7. What Will I Be Doing? • Depending on placement, interns will work on specific legislation, legislative analysis, constituent service, policy research, organizing meetings, public relations, grassroots campaigns, special events, press releases, writing newsletters, economic development projects, writing news stories, reporting on legislative hearings, lobbying, advocacy for particular policies/groups, information systems or web design & maintenance. • Regardless of internship placement, everyone will have opportunities to meet some “movers and shakers,” lunch at Harrisburg hot spots, tour the State Capitol and to experience, first-hand, the Harrisburg political scene.

8. Beyond the Job . . . • Your internship may involve activities outside the “normal” work day (fundraisers, receptions, special events) • You might sit in on legislative sessions, committee hearings, political events and news conferences - even if it’s not part of your job. (We will help make arrangements with your placement supervisor)

9. Academic Requirements for Admission to the Program • Junior or senior by the beginning of your internship semester • A minimum GPA of 3.0 • Completed PS 1101, The American Political System, by the beginning of your internship semester, or an equivalent course Pennsylvania Capital Semester student, Daniel Goldstein

10. Academic Requirements for Admission to the Program • Talk to your academic advisor about how the program coursework and internship credits fit into the graduation requirements for your major • For example, Political Science majors may count 6 credits of internship experience toward the major, the rest (if any) count toward graduation • Internship credits and how they are counted toward majors vary by department and college • TALK TO YOUR ADVISOR • TALK TO THE IPA

11. Additional Requirements to Aid the Internship Placement Process(to be shared with prospective placements) • An Updated Resume If you need resume help, contact Temple’s Career Center www.temple.edu/studentaffairs/careercenter/ . We strongly urge you to have your resume critiqued by professionals. PROOFREAD. • A Writing Sample of 3-10 pages to be shared with prospective placements. Choose something submitted for another class that shows your skill as a writer. PROOFREAD. • Two Recommendations –letters, in a form provided by the program, at least two from faculty and/or previous employers

12. Capital Semester Internship Seminar PS 2107: Public-Private Cooperation in Public Policymaking and Program Implementation Course includes: • Strategies for getting the most out of an internship • A context for the internship experience --the basic interactions between the public and private sectors at the federal, state and local level • Special section on policy analysis, including a final project analyzing state policy • Special focus on interaction between the state executive branch; legislature and the legislative process; nonprofits, advocacy organizations, lobbying or trade associations; and local economic development organizations. • Extensive use of guest lecturers Instructor: Michael Cassidy, Executive Director Office of the Democratic Caucus Chairman Pennsylvania House of Representatives A policy analyst, former legislator and expert on the legislative process with over thirty years experience in speech writing, issue research, media relations, coalition building, campaign management and strategy. Currently teaches at Penn State-Harrisburg and Temple University. He has a B.A. in Political Science from Penn State -University Park and a M.A. in American Studies from Penn State -Harrisburg. He also serves on the Executive Council of the PA Political Science Association and is the Managing Editor of COMMONWEALTH: A Journal of Political Science.

13. Capital Semester Internship Seminar PS 3107: State Politics and Policy Professor: Michael R. King, Ph.D. Former Executive Director, Legislative Office for Research Liaison PA House of Representatives Formerly an Associate Professor of Political Science at Penn State - University Park, Dr. King has written books and articles on critical elections and political realignments in America, state legislative recruitment, legislative staffing, legislative professionalization and state electoral politics. He serves on the Executive Committees of the National and the Eastern Regional Conference of the Council of State Governments and is chair of the Eastern Regional Legislative Service Agency Director's Group of the Council of State Governments. He holds a B.S. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Oregon. Course objectives: • Examine the institutions, politics and policy making of American state governments with special emphasis on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. • Determine the states’ special place in the structure of American federalism and how this has changed over time. • Explore the similarities and differences in the governmental designs, problems faced and the institutional, social and economic conditions in which the states operate. • Identify and explain why state governments often produce different solutions to similar problems.

14. Experience Harrisburg in the Fall • Whitaker Performance Theater • Whitaker Center IMAX • Nightlife on Restaurant Row • Riverfront Park events • Harrisburg Stampede Arena Football • AMTRAK line to Philly and NYC • Hershey Park • Hershey Bears Hockey • Hershey Giant Center Concerts

15. Where Will I Live? • International House in Downtown Harrisburg (Temple arranged housing) general info at http://www.ihousehbg.org/ • Home or with area relatives • Other housing in Harrisburg

16. I-House • Served over 700 students representing more than 70 Countries • University Partnerships with HACC,PSU, SSHE, HU, Temple • Artists In Residence with Open Stage and Theatre Harrisburg • International Interns with State Government and Private employers • Great Community Atmosphere with up to 86 residents • http://www.ihousehbg.org/

17. Other Benefits of the Program • A guided orientation to Harrisburg, the Capitol and more • $500 award at the end of September • Free meals included on class nights • Learning in the internship and in the classroom

18. How to Apply • Go to http://www.temple.edu/ipa for more information and application forms • Contact: Michelle J. Atherton Assistant Director, Institute for Public Affairs mjather@temple.edu To discuss internship placement options Contact: Michael Cassidy, Program Administrator and Seminar Instructor mcassidy@pahouse.net