The Internship Experience

A group of interns

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Prepare for the Job Market

In the American University Gap Program, you will gain stubstantive real-world skills while doing rewarding work as a DC intern. In addition, you will expand your network and acquire valuable experience that gives you an edge to compete in the job market. 

Professional Training

We work with you to develop a professional resume and cover letter to optimize your work, volunteer history, and academic achievements.

From an elevator pitch to practice questions to mock interviews and dress code, we provide group training and individual coaching.

Our Experiential Education Director helps students engage with hundreds of DC employers. Every semester the Gap Program hosts an on-site internship fair and students have access to a database of over 3,000 active opportunities.

We engage with you throughout the semester, preparing you for what to expect in the workplace and providing solutions to challenges you may face.

 

Gap Interns Develop Real-World Skills

In the Gap Program students see firsthand how policies are made or how organizations are run. They build a professional network while developing the skills employers are seeking. These skills and professional work habits build students’ confidence and motivation.

Capitol Hill
Top Things to Do on Capitol Hill Washington, DC | Washington DC

• Research bills on behalf of legislative staff
• Respond to constituent letters and phone calls
• Attend congressional hearings

NAPA

  • Identify successful practices at state/local levels
  • Track and evaluate the impact of Executive Branch and Congressional actions

Center for American Progress

• Research race policy and current events
• Meet with race policy influencers
• Manage social media accounts

1776 (Startup)

• Manage social media accounts
• Conduct market/audience research
• Engage in digital branding for development

 

The Arts

  • Smithsonian Institution
  • Kennedy Center
  • Dupont Underground
  • Washington Ballet
     

Business

  • World Bank
  • Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
  • US Trade Development Agency
  • Better Business Bureau
     

Digital Media

  • Shining Red Films
  • Cotton Canary
  • Story Partners
  • FIN Digital
     

Education

  • US Department of Education
  • Special Olympics
  • DC Public Schools
  • AMIDEAST
     

Environment

  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Smithsonian’s National Zoo
  • World Wildlife Fund
  • Nature Conservancy
     

Foreign Policy

  • World Embassies
  • US State Department
  • Brookings Institution
  • United Nations Foundation
     

Government/Politics

  • US Congress
  • DNC/RNC
  • No Labels
  • Emily’s List
     

Healthcare

  • American Red Cross
  • United Nations Foundation
  • Malaria No More
  • National Center for Health Research
     

IT

  • Computer and Communications Industry Association
  • Digital Promise
  • House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
  • Coding it Forward
     

Journalism

  • Voice of America
  • NBC
  • BBC
  • C-SPAN

Law

  • US Department of Justice
  • National Women’s Law Center
  • American Bar Association
  • International Law Institute

Social Justice

  • Black Lives Matter
  • Amnesty International
  • Human Rights Campaign
  • Mil Mujeres