Internships
Work experience in government agencies, advocacy groups, or other organizations involved in societal governance is particularly valuable for students of institutional policymaking. Students in the Public Policy and American Institutions concentration, therefore, are strongly encouraged to participate in one of Brown's existing internship programs or, alternatively, to develop their own opportunities for experiential learning. Funded internships should be focused on a public sector or nonprofit organization involved in the formulation, implementation, or evaluation of public policy. Organizations may be active at the national, state, or local levels. The Center does not fund internships that emphasize community organizing, those located in for-profit, commercial organizations, or work in political campaigns. Juniors seeking to advance Public Policy senior theses are given priority.
The ideal time for a policy internship experience is the summer between the junior and senior years, after an academic focus has been established. The Center assists concentrators in finding internship positions that complement their academic interests. Students are welcome to schedule an appointment with Jennifer Slattery-Bownds to discuss potential internship possibilities and other career-related matters.
The Taubman Center also supports two types of endowed internships:
Happy and John Hazen White, Sr. Internships.
Outstanding students in the concentration are
appointed as Happy and John Hazen White, Sr. Interns and paid a stipend to support their internship activity.
Selection of stipend recipients is based primarily on academic performance and the proposed integration of the
internship with future academic work. All undergraduate Public Policy concentrators are eligible for the
internship support stipends. Applicants may apply for a White Internship without having secured a definite
position with an organization, and may list several options on the application. However, in order to receive
funding for the internship, applicants must have a position with an approved organization by May 18. This
year, stipend recipients will receive $2,000 for an eight-week internship (the minimum duration for
internships). Students who wish to be considered for a White Internship for 2008 should submit an application,
found online at the Center’s homepage or at the end of this guide, to Ms. Slattery-Bownds’ mailbox in the
Center by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2008.
Governor Frank Licht Internship.
Each year one or two Public Policy concentrators are named
Governor Frank Licht interns to work in the office of the Governor of Rhode Island. This yearlong internship
provides for the possibility of academic credit for the spring semester, when the time commitment will be
greatest, and a stipend of $2,500 that has been endowed by the family of the late Governor Frank Licht '38.
Students who wish to be considered for a Licht Internship for 2007-2008 should submit an application, found
online at the Center’s homepage or at the end of this guide, to Ms. Slattery-Bownds’ mailbox in the Center by 4
p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2008.
For further information about internships in general and the Center's internships program, contact:
Ms. Jennifer Slattery-Bownds
Taubman Center, Room 207
E-mail: slattery@brown.edu
