By Erika Potter
BYU’s Washington Seminar Program provides a unique opportunity for students from all majors to participate in hands-on learning while living in the heart of our nation’s capital.  Each semester approximately 35 students venture to Washington D.C. to begin various internships that provide experiences unlike anything received in the classroom.

“The purpose of Washington Seminar is to help create a citizenry who will be both knowledgeable about what is going on and be actively engaged in the political process in all facets of government,” said Earl Fry, current faculty director of the program. “If democracy is going to work, we need to have citizens who are actively engaged in public policy, and I think this program helps strengthen our democracy.”

Students from majors varying from communications, political science, English, history, and more, apply to be selected as one of the few accepted into the program each semester. Once accepted, students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of internships related to their career interests.

Scott Christofferson is a BYU communications student currently interning with Hager Sharp Communications.  In addition to learning valuable skills for his future career, he has also gained a different perspective on government and public policy.

“This experience has given me a greater appreciation for people who are interested in public policy and advocacy for improving laws and giving back to their community,” Christofferson said.  “It’s refreshing to see how much people care about making our country and the world a better place.”

Kiel and Emily Yager, both Washington Seminar interns, have had the opportunity to be involved in the program as a married couple. Kiel, a political science major, and Emily, a sociology major, have been able to gain an array of experience in their prospective career fields.

“My internship has opened my eyes to future career possibilities,” Emily said, currently interning at the Office of the Arts in Alexandria. “I have gained valuable work experience that, as a sociology major, I would not have had otherwise.”

Kiel, who is an intern at the International Trade Administration for the Department of Commerce, has gained experience working with a variety of companies including Boeing and General Electric.

“It’s really interesting to see how the government works from a first person point of view,” Kiel said.  “My brief time here has changed the way I look at the job market and I’ve learned how to apply to government jobs what is needed to have a career in international business and trade. “

In addition to the career skills interns gain during their time in the program, they are also able to take advantage of one of the most historically rich areas in the nation. Students participate in organized field trips to Gettysburg, Valley Forge, Philadelphia and Harpers Ferry. Additionally, most take advantage of convenient public transportion to go on weekend trips to New York City, Boston, Colonial Williamsburg and many more locations.

“Living in D.C. really shows you what you miss living in Provo,” Kiel said. The abundance of museums, historic sites, concerts, nightlife, and restaurants all in nearby locations, is really amazing.”

All students in the program are provided with living arrangements at the Barlow Center, located in the heart of D.C. on Pennsylvania Avenue. Whether single or married, the Barlow Center provides quality dorm-style rooms at a fraction of typical apartment rental costs in the area.

“This program has been around for decades and has developed the well-deserved reputation of providing the hardest working and most reliable students,” Fry said. “When internship providers come to our program, they know they are getting a first class student.”