If you’re a student with a disability, there are some great internships out there just for you. Two of the best known are offered by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization.
Congressional Internship Program
Eight college students with disabilities spend eight weeks in D.C. as interns for members of Congress under this program begun in 2002. Funded by Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, the internship allows these students to gain hands-on experience with the workings on Capitol Hill, including public policy development, congressional office operations, law-making and research, and the role of constituents in the legislative process.
How do you think it looks to have “Congressional Intern, office of Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)” on your resume? Or maybe with the substitution of Sen. Hilary Clinton (D-NY), Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) or Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA)? Interns from the program have served these notable lawmakers and many more.
Federal Agency Internship Program
Students in a career relating to information technology have an internship opportunity in D.C. as well. Ten people with disabilities who have demonstrated an interest in the field are chosen annually for a 10-week stint in the IT divisions of federal agencies, thanks to AAPD and Microsoft Corporation. IT interns explore network design and administration, data management, programming and technology support, as well as web design, maintenance and accessibility.
Here again, your curriculum vitae can get a big boost by mentioning that you interned with the National Science Foundation, the Federal Aviation Administration or the US Patent and Trademark Office, to name a few.
AAPD Internship Extras Provided
Roundtrip transportation to Washington, D.C., is provided for every intern free of charge. In addition, living stipends are disbursed to interns in both programs. Finally, accessible housing is available at no cost in the dormitories of George Washington University.
Landing an Internship
Getting one of these posts on your CV starts well before you fill out the application. First, you might be wise to check out the most recent winners of these prestigious posts. Notice that although they’re from all over the country, there’s something they have in common: they are joiners and leaders. It won’t hurt you to belong to several campus, church, social or professional organizations. Do you hold an office in at least one of them? If the answer is no, find out when elections are and make it a yes. Don’t let a lack of social popularity hold you back; you’re not trying to become prom king or queen, and plenty of organizations that rely on volunteers go begging for dedicated officers.
The Internship Application
Take a look at the application. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. If you won’t have completed 48 credit hours when you apply, or if you’ll have less than another 12 to finish after the internship, then you’re wasting your time. Plan ahead and apply in the window when you fit the requirements.
Notice that you are asked to provide your cumulative GPA, as well as your GPA in your major. Intuition should tell you that the internship selection committee is looking for successful students. A 4.0 isn’t necessary, but put in the extra time to get your best possible scores.
Further down, the application asks about your community service, teaching or other civic activities. This is not one to leave blank. Again, if you don’t have anything to put in there, then you’ve got a job to do. Volunteer to maintain the community computer at the local senior’s home. Organize a clean-up day at the park. Offer to tutor high school students. Ideally, it’s going to be something related to your major or the internship, but don’t hesitate to add on another activity that’s unrelated. And kudos to you if you organize and direct others as part of your effort.
We covered the organizations and clubs already, so next is awards and honors. Not much you can do about that, unless you know that Dr. So and So in the political science department thinks you’re great, and also happens to be on the committee for commendations of outstanding students. Or maybe your town is big into giving citizen accolades, so you decide to lead the local mainstreet beautification project. Really, though, your karma is going to be good if you’re doing for other people, and it will come back to you.
Job skills is the next ask. Be specific when you answer this question. Instead of, “I interned for a state congressman” you might go on to say, “My duties included being a runner between the statehouse floor and her office, getting official seals on documents, compiling constituent response to pending bills and putting them in a spreadsheet, and meeting with the senator weekly to discuss prominent legislation.”
Next, the essays. Hint: the one that is the longest probably has the most weight. In general, these should be written ahead of time (since there’s nothing that says you can’t) and checked over by someone who has excellent English grammar and organizational skills: an old teacher, a classmate who adores linguistics, or even your mom or dad. Preferably more than one of them.
By now, finding someone to give you a reference will be a matter of finding the BEST person for the job. Notice that you only get one. Aunt Sally is not your best bet here, unless she is a political powerhouse and has a different last name than you. Choose someone who knows work you’ve done in your field, who will commend your character as well as your expertise. And if that person can’t write for beans, there’s nothing that says you can’t provide them with a suitable outline for the recommendation.
You’re done! Good luck, and even if you don’t get that internship, you’re now way ahead of the crowd for either another internship or a great summer job.
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