Each quarter the UCDC program sends a group of students to our nation’s capital, giving them an unparalleled glimpse of the workings behind the nation’s politics. The program, which has been running for eight years, allows students to combine academic classes with an internship in Washington, D.C., while remaining enrolled at UCSD.
“”The program has two purposes,”” said Shannon Roberts, an internship coordinator at the Career Service Center. “”One is to give students career-level experience through internships and work experience. The other [purpose] is the academic side. I think that both of these are good benefits.””
Students can earn either 12 or 14 units for the quarter. The 12-unit option consists of a full-time internship and an elective course; the 14-unit option consists of a part-time internship, an elective course and a research seminar.
During their stay in D.C., students live in the new UC Washington Center, which is located about five blocks from the White House. Students go through a variety of meaningful experiences while participating in the program. Stefanie Schiff, a senior John Muir College student majoring in political science, is currently interning at the National Criminal Justice Association. She performs research all over the capital to collect information on state and federal agencies.
“”I have always wanted to work in politics, and being here, I have experienced them first-hand,”” Schiff said. “”I have had the honor of visiting the White House. I have also had the pleasure of sitting in on Senate hearings and House committee meetings. It is in these meetings that I have gotten to see most of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into politics.””
Schiff has also seen the more human side of politicians.
“”I also got to see the Republicans and the Democrats speak about makeup and perfume before the meeting began,”” she said.
John Lebato, a junior majoring in political science, is interning at the Department of Justice.
“”I am learning more than I ever could have imagined,”” Lebato said. “”I love that I get to work out here and learn the politics behind everything and see different faces to so many issues that I had never before explored.””
Elizabeth Bedford, a senior communications major, currently interns at the Women’s Research and Education Institute. She met the first woman lobbyist at an annual fund-raising event, and also attended a panel discussion on the status of women in the recent
November elections.
“”In short, this has been an experience that I would not be able to get in San Diego,”” Bedford said.
Oliver Kaplan, a 2001 political science graduate from John Muir College, attended the UCDC program in fall 1999. He also worked as a UCDC program adviser for two quarters. While in D.C., Kaplan interned at the office of cabinet affairs in the White House. He worked under the cabinet secretary and the assistant to the president, who at that time was Thurgood Marshall, Jr.
“”Thurgood Marshall, Jr. was definitely an inspiration, as were other members of the White House staff,”” Kaplan said. “”People often bag on government as being bloated, bureaucratic, etc. But these people were as bright as anyone around and really cared about their work, worked hard for little pay and thought they could make a difference.””
Kaplan had a variety of interesting experiences during his internship. He rode in an elevator with Hillary Clinton and attended press conferences where the president would advocate policies. He also assisted with research to help manage White House responses to interest groups at the 1999 WTO Ministerial in Seattle.
Kaplan is currently an economist/public policy researcher at the San Diego Association of Governments. He believes that his experiences in the UCDC program have helped him in his career.
“”The words ‘The White House’ on my resume are definitely an eye-catcher and I think it shows employers that I can get high-level work done,”” Kaplan said. “”No matter how intimidating my current boss may be, he sure isn’t the president.””
In terms of classes, students meet once a week and are expected to complete a research paper in order to receive units for their internship. The optional research seminar is designed to help guide students through the writing process.
“”The class is much more based on participation; the length varies with the amount of participation that occurs,”” Lebato said. “”The class discussions are engaging and prove to be intellectually stimulating.””
Aside from internships and classes, the program also offers field trips in the D.C. area.
“”Most classes will take the students out for a taste of D.C. by relating the subject material to the local art museums, monuments, and one even relates D.C. politics to Shakespeare,”” Schiff said.
The UCDC program does not only attract political science majors; students from almost every other major also apply. Each quarter, a group of students are selected from applications.
“”We selected applicants based on a few things,”” Roberts said. “”Graduating seniors get priority, then all of the other seniors and then juniors. We also look at their academic achievement, based on their GPA.””
Once selected and immersed in the program, students generally come back with great experiences and positive comments.
“”The people you meet here all come from such different backgrounds and upbringings that it presents an interesting mixture of philosophies and positions. It presents a fascinating opportunity to hear different viewpoints on various issues and have the opportunity to be engaged with people who think in a completely different manner,”” Lebato said.
Schiff confers that the experience is worthwhile.
“”I couldn’t only pick out one advantage for going on this trip. The UCDC program is one experience that I don’t think anyone should miss”” Schiff said.
For more information on the UCDC program, visit http://career.ucsd.edu/studentsalumni/UCDC.htm