Spring Term in D.C.

Washington D.C. Program Spring 2015


Considering the D.C. program? Every year GSPIA offers students the opportunity to spend the Fall semester in D.C.- students get first-hand experience AND their foot-in-the-door in Washington. This is invaluable experience that should be extended to more students. For such reason, GSPIA is now offering a Spring term in D.C.

What is this NEW Law and Policy Program taking place in Spring 2015? The rumors are true- there is now a D.C. program available in the Spring. This program will be administered jointly with the Pitt Law School and the Washington Center. The LPDC is designed for students who are interested in working at the intersection of law and policy with a focus on advocacy and the lobbying process.
Participating GSPIA and Law students will enroll in courses that take advantage of the location by having a GSPIA alum, Ali Bonebrake and Pitt law professor Elena Baylis, as instructors. Students will engage in internships providing hands-on DC experience.  Course requirements will be oriented toward building skills desired by employers in this field.  Our expectation is that students planning to launch their careers in Washington will find this spring term program especially attractive as a means of making a smooth transition to life in the capital.

Skills? Crucial communication skills needed to work in Washington- learning how to be succinct and to the point when speaking with high-level officials.

Worried about money? Dean Keeler will provide $1000 funding to participating students.

Why should I participate? Second years interested in working in Washington will easily be able to work through the summer, make more connections, and possibly find a job. First years will gain insight on what it takes to work in Washington.

Did we mention...? There's a practicum that complements the internship and gives students 3-credits. Essentially, yes, you are getting credit for your internship. (We all know that internships are normally ZERO credits.)

It's the first time it's offered? Correct! This means that participating students will be, as Dean Keeler stated, "the pioneers of the Law and Policy Program" that will one day look back and remember that they were the first group to have ever been a part of it. This could be you...

                             Meet the instructors

Alison Bonebrake  

  

Director, Federal Government Affairs at Sanofi

Washington, District Of Columbia (Washington D.C. Metro Area)
Pharmaceuticals

 Click here to view her LinkedIn account

Elena Baylis

 Associate Professor at University of Pittsburgh Law School, Washington Center

Washington, District Of Columbia (Washington D.C. Metro Area) 
Higher Education

 Click here to view her LinkedIn account



                                            Course Descriptions

Lobbying and Advocacy

In this course, students will learn core knowledge and skills required for lobbying and advocacy work. Students will meet with guest speakers and mentors who are lobbyists, will practice lobbying skills through exercises and assignments, and will produce policy writing samples. This course will focus primarily on lobbying in the federal legislative context; it will also address the federal agency context to a lesser extent.

Law-Making Seminar

This seminar explores the processes of federal law-making and public policy development. A primary purpose of the seminar is to enrich students’ understanding of law-making and policy development by focusing on a series of case studies concerning particular laws and policies and introducing information about the relevant political dynamics, bureaucratic systems, and other real-world factors. Thus, in addition to studying written materials, students will talk with Washington-based attorneys and others who are experts in the relevant fields.

                                                     Location 

The Washington Center - 2025 M Street NW

GSPIA’s office in the new University of Pittsburgh Washington Center is located in the “Golden Triangle” just a short walk from Dupont Circle. The Washington Center features state-of-the-art videoconferencing capabilities that connect our D.C.-based staff, adjunct faculty, and alumni with all of us at the GSPIA office complex in Pittsburgh. 

                                           Application information

Applications are due October 15th! 

About 5 students will be in D.C. this Spring! Get your applications in today!

Don't have one? Contact Career Services

Best of luck!

Presidential Management Fellowship FAQ

Hello GSPIAns!  Last week was our Presidential Management Fellows Program Session!

The PMF program is a two-year federal fellowship that typically leads to full time employment with the federal government.

As graduate student applicants, GSPIAns are eligible to enter service as a GS-9, 11, or 12 pay-grade with an average salary range from $51,630-$97,333 AND promotional potential of the GS-13 level during fellowship.

Benefits:

• Rotational opportunities within and outside your agency placement
• Senior-level mentor
• 80+ hours of leadership training
• Eligibility for full-term, non-competitive appointment after the end of the fellowship.

Eligibility:

• Graduate students obtaining a degree anywhere from September 2014 – August 2015.

Application Process:

• Opens for a brief two week period during Fall 2014.

Consists of:

• Online application (average time of 3 hours)
• Resume
• Transcripts AND Verification (See Career Services soon)
• Online Assessment
• Three Essays

Competitive applicants should demonstrate:

• Adaptability
• Accountability
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Written and Oral Communication Skills
• Motivation to Serve

After you Apply:

• Bring your application verification screen shot or email to Shannon or Emmy to be entered into a drawing to win a gift card!

Visit the Presidential Management Fellows website to prepare for your application! Start gathering your information today, don't wait until last minute!

Happy Wednesday!

J-PAL Info Session
Thomas Chupein, Policy Manager

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) was established in 2003 as a research center at the Economics Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since then, it has grown into a global network of researchers who use randomized evaluations to answer critical policy questions in the fight against poverty.

J-PAL is recognized as the "gold standard" of organizations conducting RCTs in the developing world.  Additionally, they are launching a new North American division that will be looking for researchers with a domestic focus. 

Jobs AND internships available -- apply between Nov 15th and Jan 5th!

This is a fantastic organization to intern with if you're interested in obtaining hands-on, international field research experience. 

If you're interested in full-time employment, take classes at GSPIA that emphasize the following skills: Microeconomics, Development Economics, Program Evaluation, Quantitative Methods, Stata.

Previous international travel or experience is important, as if a foreign language -- however, it is NOT necessary!

If you're interested in the policy track, be sure to have excellent writing skills.

To apply:
1. Apply to the specific positions that interest you (as many as you like).
2. Fill out the common application.

Contacts:
Ben Jaques: bjaques@mit.edu (research and training jobs)
Thomas Chupein: tchupein@mit.edu (policy jobs)

International Flare in Pittsburgh Nonprofits

The Office of Career Services is excited to announce that we’re offering our first ever Career Panel on Local Nonprofits with an International Focus!
Whether you are interested in nonprofits, International Development, or local organizations, this is the session for you! Representatives from a number of local organizations that work internationally will be speaking. The representatives will have information on various career opportunities, events, and more!
Panelists will include members of the following organizations:

• Cameroon Football Development Program
• Global Links
• Global Pittsburgh
• Global Solutions Pittsburgh
• Haitian Families First
• Office of Refugee Services, Jewish Family & Children Service
• Pittsburgh Cares
• Vibrant Pittsburgh

Cameroon Football Development Program is an unique nonprofit. CFDP uses the game of football (soccer) to improve kids’ lives in Cameroon. Transforming the soccer field into a classroom creates an environment for experiential education where youth are free to learn and grow. We integrate focused discussions and skill-building activities into regular “soccer practices” to achieve the following objectives:

• Reduce petty theft and delinquency
• Reduce incidence of teenage pregnancy
• Reduce incidence of HIV/AIDS transmission
• Provide organized, structured recreational activities
• Increase the accessibility of professional skills development and training
• Promote self-reliance and self-employment

Global Links is a medical relief and development organization dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship and improving health in resource-poor communities, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its two-fold mission provides hospitals with a socially and environmentally beneficial alternative to sending hundreds of tons of still-useful surplus materials to landfills.
Global Pittsburgh improves global competitiveness by promoting the Greater Pittsburgh Region, attracting international leaders, influencers and students, and engaging them with regional leaders, companies, educational institutions and organizations.
Global Solutions Pittsburgh provides nonpartisan, internationally-focused education to schools and communities throughout western Pennsylvania. Its goal is to:

• Cultivating global awareness and engagement in our region through innovative educational programming and strategic partnerships;
• Supporting global education in schools through direct student engagement, curricular support, and teacher professional development;
• Promoting respect for human rights by educating citizens and facilitating collaboration within the regional human rights community.

Haitian Families First was established in 2010 by Jamie and Ali McMurtie, two sisters from Pittsburgh, PA who have spent much of their adult lives working in Haiti. Haitian Families First is an American non-profit organization dedicated to Haiti’s most vulnerable children.
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Pittsburgh (JF&CS) mission is to improve the quality of life of children, families and adults of all ages throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area by providing psychological, employment and social services. JF & CS is an acknowledged leader in helping immigrants and refugees resettle and successfully build new lives in our community.
Pittsburgh Cares mission is to maximize the impact of our regional nonprofit partners by mobilizing volunteers and engaging the community through positioning Pittsburgh as a national leader in growing a sustainable culture of volunteerism and community involvement.
Vibrant Pittsburgh is an organization that believes a more diverse and talented workforce means a more vibrant future for the Pittsburgh region. So, Vibrant Pittsburgh does things in support of that mission.

This great career panel is open to all students, both first and second year. It is being held on Wednesday, November 14 at 12pm in 3610 Posvar.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Washington DC Trip!

GSPIA Career Services is excited to announce that registration for the Washington, DC Trip is now open!

Are you interested in a career in Washington, DC? Whether you want to work in the federal government, consulting, nonprofit or international arenas, the DC Trip can be a great way to network and connect with potential employers and GSPIA alumni!

We will be offering career panels, employer site visits, a networking reception, lunches with alumni, and a happy hour with alumni. Currently, we are looking into a number of employee site visits, including: include US Department of State, CIA, DIA, Capitol Hill, USAID, European Union, World Bank, Chemonics International, Heritage Foundation, Booz Allen Hamilton, Stimson Center, Wilson Center, Urban Institute and ICMA!*

Complete the registration form (front & back) and return it to Career Services with a $50 check or money order (non-refundable), made payable to the University of Pittsburgh, by January 15, 2013. Registration forms are available on Connections or you can stop by Emmy or Shannon’s offices to pick up the form. Late registration will not be accepted, so register now!

The trip will take place over spring break on March 11-13, 2013. Your registration fee reserves your spot on the trip and covers two meals, a networking reception, and a $5 preloaded metro card. You will be responsible for lodging and transportation.

Potential Employers:
Here are some more details on the potential employer sites visits including links to their career websites!

SIS students may be interested in going to the CIA, DIA, Booz Allen Hamilton, and US Department of State. All of these government agencies and organizations do work in the fields of intelligence and diplomacy.

Other MPIA students may be interested in visiting some employees like US Department of State, Stimson Center, World Bank, and the European Union. These agencies and organizations do various work including security, diplomacy, and economic development.

Our international development students should also be interested in the potential employee site visits at USAID, World Bank, and Chemonics. These organizations do various types of development work throughout the world.

For students interested in domestic issues, you might be interested in going to these organizations: Capitol Hill, Urban Institute, and ICMA.

Lodging and Transportation Options:
Pittsburgh and Washington, DC are only 250 miles apart or a 4.5 hour drive! Getting to DC is pretty easy, especially if you use the Mega Bus. The bus picks you up at the Bus Depot located in Downtown Pittsburgh and drops you off in Washington, DC at Union Station (50 Massachusetts Ave, Washington, DC). You can also take a short flight from Pittsburgh International Airport to Washington Reagan or Dulles International Airport. You can search for on a number of websites including Priceline, Bing, or Expedia.

There are a number of hotels available in Washington, DC with reasonable prices for students. We recommend you look in the neighborhoods of Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle or near the Convention Center. Some of these include:
-      Best Western Georgetown (located in Foggy Bottom)
-      Embassy Suites West End
-      One Washington Circle Hotel
-      George Washington University Inn
-      Embassy Suites Convention Center
-      Days Inn Washington DC
-      Loftstel
-      Kalorama Guest House
-      Hostelling International Washington, DC

If you’re looking for even less expensive options, you can try outside of the DC area in Rosslyn or Crystal City in Virginia or Bethesda or Chevy Chase in Maryland. 
Make sure to keep following us so you can get up-to-date to information on the DC Trip!

*Employers and events have not yet been confirmed and are subject to change.