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Education Internships in Washington, DC
Public Education Network (PEN) believes that young adults play an integral role in shaping the values, policies, and institutions that lead to a strong and vibrant democracy. PEN is pleased to offer internship opportunities for those emerging professionals and committed leaders who are interested in working to improve the quality of education for all children. PEN, located in downtown Washington, DC, offers a number of unpaid internships during the course of a year for undergraduate or graduate academic credit. Students will gain valuable part-time or full-time work experience in the nonprofit public interest and advocacy field. Through work experiences, all PEN interns acquire valuable knowledge, skills, experiences, and tools necessary for a lifetime commitment in public education policy, advocacy, community engagement, and nonprofit service. Interns are a vital part of PEN’s mission to assure that all children receive a quality public education.
Interning with PEN offers an excellent opportunity to gain an insider’s view of the dynamics of a nonprofit organization, public policy making, citizen mobilization, e-advocacy, Capitol Hill work, and public education campaign processes. Former PEN interns have commented on their experiences at PEN:
My internship at PEN served as the perfect hands-on introduction to the complicated world of education policy. Throughout the semester I attended meetings with Hill staffers, participated in policy related forums and seminars, wrote policy articles for our Federal Update, compiled data related to the No Child Left Behind Act, and conducted research about events and trends affecting children. Each of these projects gave me the opportunity to apply my classroom knowledge in a challenging and supportive real-world setting. My time at PEN not only broadened my professional network and sharpened my policy skills, but also strengthened my belief in the power of public education. The system is far from perfect, but my experiences at PEN gave me the confidence that I truly can work to affect positive change.
Working at PEN was an experience never to be forgotten. I spent most my time constructing a media grid for the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), meaning I documented the trend in its exposure, including what specific aspects were being covered and whether they seemed to have a pro or con bias. In addition to mapping this daily grid, I wrote two action briefs, proofread several others, attended meetings and hearings, and visited several education organizations. Not only have I been further inspired to become a teacher, but one that is active in policy and affective change for all students. As PEN believes, every child deserves a quality education — but I believe we have a long way to go.”
“An internship at PEN turned out to be very good preparation for my current position at the Education Commission of the States. I learned more about how to define an issue, bring together the experts, present the research, and work with states to implement a policy recommendation. PEN continues to be part of my professional network, and I have also worked with Local Education Funds to do research for my thesis, and further work at the state level. I would highly recommend an internship at PEN.”
“PEN's commitment to providing educational opportunities for youth extends beyond K-12 to their college interns. From the first month at PEN, I was sent to the Hill to report on the education reform bills proposed in Congress for our constituents. This exposure and the expertise and support of the staff at PEN inspired me to pursue education policy. First, I joined Teach For America and earned a Masters in Education. Now, I am earning a law degree and hope to work for an organization as influential and with as great an impact as PEN.”
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