Working on Capital Hill in the middle of Washington D.C. among fancy business suits and briefcases is where students like Kristy Wind, a senior political science major, aspire to end up someday.
Thanks to the Washington Internship Program, it happened a lot sooner for Wind than she ever thought it would.
"I do a lot of the court preparation, like subpoenas and things," Wind said.
The program is run through SUNY Brockport but is open to all SUNY students every fall and spring semester.
The internship counts as an entire semester of classes at 15 credits. Interns are required to work 40 hours a week in the position they are placed, for free. They must also write a 20 page final paper on their experience.
Wind landed a position working under the attorney general, which she hopes will give her an edge in law school. She works with a lawyer, one of the attorney general's assistants, on a daily basis.
Students are also encouraged to soak up life in the Washington D.C. area. Wind's surroundings, drastically different from where she grew up in the suburbs of Buffalo, have been a "huge" part of her overall experience, she said.
All 45 interns live in the same housing complex, with four interns to each house. Her housing is included in a set price of $2400 for the entire semester.
Shared housing allows interns to make friends with other interns from across the nation, and is a vital part of the learning experience. All of the interns reside in Virginia and utilize the shuttle and subway systems to commute together to DC.
"I absolutely love Washington," Wind said. "It's so fast-paced, if I could choose anywhere to be it would be here."
As a plus, The Library of Congress is at her disposal for research pertaining to her job. According to Wind, information available to the interns is limitless and being surrounding by so many real life professionals makes the learning experience "amazing."
"Everyone is always willing to give advice," Wind said. "They answer all questions and if they do not know the answer then somebody finds out."
For Wind, she wouldn't have spent her last semester anywhere else.
"I would recommend definitely doing it your last semester," Wind said. "It is the best possible way to get your foot in the door."
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
