Clelia Bellipanni (L) and Mari Gevorgyan (R) are senior political science majors. Clelia recently interned with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and Mari interned with the Transatlantic Leadership Network (TLN) through The Washington Center (TWC) and Temple’s D.C. Internship Program.
What was your internship position and what was the office’s role?
Clelia: My internship position was the Marketing and Development Intern for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. Along with another intern, we oversaw writing up and sending out emails almost every day for marketing. We did this through HubSpot to all those signed up to their email list. With Development, we were helping write up and plan targeted fundraising campaigns by writing personalized emails, media posts and ad campaigns. Development also worked with other departments like Grant Writing and Health Equity and Impact (HEI), so we dipped our toes into those worlds often and helped out with writing up grant reports and HEI research.
Mari: I was an assistant in the event planning department at Transatlantic Leadership Network. TLN is a nonprofit organization that hosts conferences, initiatives and events that unite journalists, government officials and business executives together to discuss contemporary challenges all over the world. I was responsible for assisting in event planning on TLN annual Freedom of the Media Initiative.
What does a day in Washington D.C. look like?
Clelia: I worked hybrid, so Tuesdays and Thursdays I would commute to work. On a working day, I would wake up at 7:30am and fix myself some breakfast and lunch to take to work. By 8:20am, I was downstairs waiting for my intern buddy to head to the NoMa- Gallaudet train station, just a 3 minute walk from the Washington Center. Since trains usually come every 5-8 minutes, we didn't really ever have to rush to get our train (I miss the transportation system so much). We would get off at Metro Center station and walk eight minutes to NCRC's headquarters, not far from the White House and right next to the Treasury! We'd get there by 9-9:15am, and our workdays would start with department meetings. Then we'd go to our desks, jump around to different tasks and eventually have a meeting with our department supervisors (my favorite part of the day!). At 5pm, I would pack and get ready to leave, but my roommate, Mari, and I would often meet up and walk around to the different shops and stores near my place of work because they were all so nice and accessible! By 7-8pm, we'd be home, cooking dinner, and with our other two roommates about our days and the next movies we wanted to watch together.
Mari: Since my job was remote, a typical day in DC involved receiving and completing my tasks for the day and once finished, exploring DC. As neither me nor my roommates had ever lived in DC or nearby areas, this was a great chance to explore a new city. DC is very accessible with its transportation system, which allowed us to travel to neighboring states, so my regular schedule included trips to various museums, parks and even sightseeing.
How do you feel the Washington Internship Program has prepared you for graduation?
Clelia: The internship program really pushed me out of my comfort zone but with a helping hand. Now that I've gone through it, I think I will definitely be more confident entering into future interviews, professional spaces and the post-graduation job hunt. Without the internship program, I think I would be way more lost and apprehensive in my future endeavors because I wouldn't have had any experience with any of the possibilities out there. This internship gave me indispensable connections and relationships that will help me in my future career development.
Mari: Taking this opportunity in D.C. has tremendously helped me in my career decisions. Going into this program, I was looking for more experience and certainty about choosing a career path, which I have gained by interacting with people, who either encountered uncertainty or are looking for opportunities themselves. It was refreshing to meet people who were in the same situation as me and overcame it.
What was your favorite thing about your internship and why?
Clelia: I loved the people and environment at my internship. Off the bat, everyone was extremely nice and inviting, and I was treated like any new hire. My supervisors were close to my age, so we were able to immediately connect and form an honest and comfortable rapport. The office was always a very calm and relaxing space where everyone worked and took breaks when they pleased. Even with the lax office setting, everyone worked hard to keep their part of the organization running smoothly. The loudest days were when we'd get free food in the break room and everyone would line up, chat and laugh. While not every workplace is perfect, working at NCRC taught me how to spot an organization or company that has a healthy work culture.
Mari: My favorite thing about my internship was meeting with different professionals. My job involved writing biographies of the event attendees, so I was required to interview them, which usually resulted in lovely conversations about their job experiences. Most of the people I spoke with had jobs that I wasn’t informed in, which urged me to learn about more career fields and get an understanding of the job market. I am glad to have had a job that gave me such possibilities along with expanding my network.
What is one thing you think Temple students will be surprised to find out about interning in Washington D.C.?
Clelia: I think Temple students will be surprised by their proximity to politicians and politics, just as I was. While logically you know that you live walking distance to the White House and Congress, you don't really start to realize it until you see representatives walking about or huge black BMWs with fully tinted windows speeding down a street (or blocking one off). The news you would see on your phone or TV will feel like it became exponentially more likely to happen in front of you.
Mari: One thing that surprised me was how everyone was willing to help interns figure out the work environment. One of the assignments in TWC was interviewing people to gain networking skills. Through this assignment, I got to talk with wonderful professionals who not only gave advice on choosing a career but also tips on how to get more opportunities and successfully approach professional environments. Their willingness to offer guidance and form meaningful relations with interns created a welcoming environment, which is especially useful for interns who are just starting their career.
Walk us through finding the internship: How did you learn about, apply for and secure the internship?
Clelia: I learned about the internship through the Washington Center portal that the Washington Center helped us set up. I was applying for dozens of positions that seemed to fit my interests and needs (e.g., something that aligned with my values and also compensated). If you know you would be more comfortable financially with an internship that pays, I would advise to only apply to those who do (and to as many as you can). I would also advise to trust the process—the Washington Center and its advisors are there to help you get this internship, but D.C. can be very chaotic, so if you don't hear back immediately or even after a few weeks, don't fret too much. Many people I know got their internships the very last week of the deadline. As for securing my internship, I practiced some interview questions (yes, they do ask you them), researched the organizations beforehand, and most importantly, acted true to myself!
Mari: Once I was accepted to the program and it was time to look for internships, we were assigned advisors and weekly virtual sessions to inform us about internship application process, work ethics and life in DC. This helped me significantly in understanding how to access the website and look for the right internships. The website has specific filters that help to narrow down jobs that I preferred and was qualified for. Additionally, each internship profile had the description of the position and qualifications they look for in an intern. Upon applying for the internships, if selected, we had to get interviewed for the position and given the final decision. Luckily, I met TLN’s qualifications and secured the internship through a phone interview.