Annenberg Washington Summer Internship Program
The Annenberg Washington Summer Internship Program (AWSIP) aims to develop skills and knowledge related to the use
of communication in public service through internships at selected government, political, nonprofit, advocacy, media,
and private organizations based in Washington, D.C.
Read about experiences from former students.
The program, which is administered through the school’s
Institute for Public Service, will accept up to
12 Communication majors for Summer 2012. This summer’s program will run from May 27th
through August 11th. Preference is given to those students who have declared the Communication
and Public Service (ComPS) concentration. Students who are undeclared, but have intentions to declare the
major in the following school year are also welcome to apply.
Accepted students are assisted in finding appropriate internships in the D.C. area, but are also encouraged to conduct
their own search. Students who are unable to be placed in an internship by April 27th will not be eligible to participate
in AWSIP. Accepted applicants are responsible for regular correspondence with
Ms. Alison Berstecher, Director of Student Services, in regards to the status of their internship search. Failure
to remain in touch with Ms. Berstecher may result in your spot being granted to a waitlisted applicant.
Participating students are provided with housing on George
Washington University’s (GWU) campus. Students with alternative housing may opt out of staying at GWU. Four students
(same sex, co-ed living arrangements are not allowed) will be housed in a campus style apartment. Students can select
their own roommates and will be housed when possible with other Penn students. Vacant spaces will be filled by other college
students who are also interning in the Washington, D.C area. Apartments are air-conditioned and include two bedrooms, two
bathrooms, a common living space and kitchen. Internet, cable, and local phone service is provided. Students will need to
provide their own linens and house wares.
A stipend of up to $2,000 will be provided for all nonpaying internships, payable in two installments. The first $1,000
will be received at the end of June and July. Students who qualify for the stipend will be responsible for providing
the Annenberg business office with all required paperwork. Please note
that this stipend is subject to state and federal income tax.
Students may also register for the seminar, COMM309: Washington Politics and the Media. The course is taught by Presidential
Historian Alvin Felzenberg, Ph.D., and meets on Wednesday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. The School covers the cost of the
tuition. COMM309 is designed to enhance students' understanding of the role the media plays influencing the course of
public policy in the nation's capital. It will provide students with opportunities to assess major issues, currently in the
news, from multiple perspectives (those of Congress, the President, interest groups, the old and new media, lobbyists,
political consultants and others). They will explore the emergence of multiple "narratives" the media uses to frame policy
debates, how these are formed, and how they change over time. Readings and class discussions will be supplemented by
appearances by guests who have had participated in important ongoing and past policy debates.
This year’s applications are due on February 8, 2012. APPLY HERE
Questions may be directed to Mr. David Eisenhower, Director of the Institute for Public Service,
deisenhower@asc.upenn.edu or Ms. Alison Berstecher, Director
of Student Services and Register, aberstecher@asc.upenn.edu.
2011’s participants interned at the following locations:
Center for American Progress
Media Matters for America
National Women’s Political Caucus
People for the American Way
The Israel Project
Free Press
Department of Homeland Security
Voice of America
The New Republic