Meet the GSPIA Summer Internship Bloggers!!

Summer is just around the corner, which means that our summer internship blogs will be back again soon!  Meet our bloggers:

Crystal Christophe - MPA, Public and Nonprofit Management
Amizade - Pittsburgh

RJ Susko - MPA, Urban & Regional Affairs
Borough of Castle Shannon - Pittsburgh

Mike Duane - MPA, Policy Research & Analysis
VoxUkraine - Kyiv, Ukraine

Topher Hoffman - MPA, Public & Nonprofit Management
New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene - New York City

Cynthia Caul - MID, Nongovernmental Organizations & Civil Society
City of Asylum- Pittsburgh

Anthony Griffith - MPIA, Security & Intelligence Studies
Allegheny County Sheriff's Office - Pittsburgh

Luke West - MID, Human Security
Daya Center for Peace - Bangalore, India

Abraham Kim - MID, Nongovernmental Organizations & Civil Society
Bright Kids Uganda - Kampala, Uganda

Qianyu Mo - MPA, Urban Affairs & Planning
Local Government Academy, Churchill Borough - Pittsburgh

Ann Kaufman - MPIA, Security & Intelligence Studies
Misericordia University - Dallas, PA
10th Congressional District of PA, Congressman Tom Marino - Williamsport, PA 




Tyler Dandrea - MPIA, Security & Intelligence Studies
US Senator for NC Richard Burr - Washington DC

We're looking forward to following along on their adventures this summer....stay tuned for upcoming posts! 

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!

Rick's Blog: Post #4

Rick, MPIA-SIS, 2014

Blog Post #4

While the primary aspect of the Washington DC Semester is the internship, there are two more aspects that deserve considerable attention.  The first are the networking opportunities, and the second are the courses taught during the semester. 

Besides the experience gained by interning at an organization in Washington, the ability to network with practitioners, academics, and other students is key.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet with a great many officials, practitioners, and fellow students with whom I hope to keep in touch in the future.  I’m not saying that the professors, classes, and students at GSPIA aren’t excellent, but it is important to expand one’s professional circle as wide as possible.

Sometimes it’s a bit daunting as to where to begin, but once you get the ball rolling, networking seems to come naturally.  There are a few keys here: 1) Start with people you do know or people you work with; 2) Expect that not every person you contact will respond; 3) Actually be interested in learning more about what those people do and how they got there. 

I think it’s important to get comfortable with networking by starting with people that you have some familiarity with beforehand. Once you get comfortable with the process, you will be better equipped to handle meeting people that you’ve only gained contact with through another contact, or through cold emailing.  This can be really helpful for dealing with times when you just don’t click with the person you meet with or speak to.  Be ready for the fact that when you reach out to people you aren’t already close to, a fair number of them will not get back to you.  When you finally do manage to get out there and network with new contacts, don’t be that guy or girl who comes across as only interested in how to get hired in that organization.  Instead, be actually interested in what that person does, what sort of skills or background are important in their job/office/field, what is new or developing in their field, and how that person got to where they are now.  Lastly, remember networking is a two way street: be prepared to share your own story, work, and interests in a way that relates to that person.

Since working and taking classes at the same time can be quite time-consuming, it is quite helpful that many of the courses here involve guest speakers and panels in a regular fashion.  While not a replacement for your own networking by any means, it sure helps to have access to practitioners and officials in this manner.

I found that the courses were well suited to the work/school dynamic of the Washington Semester.  The professors were all well aware that we were primarily engaged in work and professional activities, and conducted these courses accordingly.  Professors assigned work that was reasonable for our schedules and allowed for significant independent direction to address our diverse interests.

One last thing of note on courses: I am currently taking a class back at GSPIA while in Washington this semester.  I am able to do so by using the videoconference capabilities at the Pitt offices here in Washington and in Room 3431.  If you are considering the Washington Semester, but really want or need to take a particular course back at Pitt, it might be possible to make it happen!  I don’t think that my situation applies to the vast majority of courses, but it worked for me and for a few others in the past. If you are interested in taking a course back at Pitt during the Washington Semester, I suggest speaking to your career services advisor or to Jessica Hatherill about if it might work.  Just remember that the classes back at GSPIA will likely occur during your working hours!

Rick, MPIA-SIS, 2014

Getting Here

Blog Post #2

(Early Morning outside Main State)

By the time this is posted the deadline for summer 2014 internship applications to the Department of State will be only a couple of weeks away. I was in the same position in which many of you are now: trying to get the application package put together while juggling school, work, extracurricular activities, family, and everything else.

While there is nothing that will get you the one of these coveted spots for certain, you can do a few things that, I think, will help you successfully navigate the process of applying for an internship with the Department of State.  Disclaimer: These are my personal views and do not represent the views of the Department of State or the University of Pittsburgh.

• Really research and target a particular office or bureau. Go through the state.gov website.  Read all the material published by the Department of State on their internship program.  Become familiar with the organizational chart of the state department and find an office that does the sorts of things you have experience with and like doing.  While I cannot say for certain what made my office pick me, I believe that specific, uncommon knowledge, skills, and abilities that I displayed in my resume and essay landed me in my particular office. When you do find an office or offices that fit your skills, experiences, and interests, be sure to check the internship guide to make sure those offices participate in the program.

• If you want to work at an embassy in a foreign country, then know the language. I can’t imagine a hiring manager selecting someone who doesn’t speak the local language over someone who can, or who can speak it with greater fluency.  Also, explore possibilities outside of major international destinations.  Speak French? Explore opportunities in Africa.

• Put the necessary amount of time and effort into crafting your application package.  Block off the time to sit down and write a great submission well ahead of the deadline.  It might sound obvious, but how often do we squeeze things in between the end of 3 PM class and dinner? Or between 2 other papers due by next Tuesday and that dinner party on Saturday night? [I’m guilty of squeezing this in this week between work, finishing several fellowship applications, finishing a presentation assignment, classes, and several networking engagements.] After you’ve completed your package, set it aside for a couple of days and then revise it.  Consider having someone else read it over and give comments to you before you make your final submission.  Really put the time and effort into making this the best application package possible.

• Be consistent.  You can apply for two different offices when you submit your materials.  However, you can (or at least was the case for me) submit only one essay. I cannot imagine that it will do your any favors to pick offices or bureaus with little in common, and then write a broad essay that does not directly address the specific skills relevant to the activities of those offices.  Pick offices that deal with closely related topics or use the same skill-sets.

• Be prepared to succeed.  You will need to undergo a security clearance investigation prior to receiving a final offer. Read up on official sources regarding the clearance process.  Don’t be overly scared by the process, but if you don’t think you will make it through at this point in your life, it may be worth it to explore other opportunities.  If you decide to go through with the process, make sure you have the necessary documents in order. It is probably wise to start gathering the information that you will need for an SF-86 as soon as you have the time.  Even if you don’t need this information for the State Department, I suspect many of you will be applying to other government positions that require background investigations.  Above all, answer your investigator openly and honestly.

• Remember that this is a numbers game. The State Department receives thousands upon thousands of applications for what are only a few hundred positions.  If a random drawing filled positions, then the odds of landing a spot would be heavily against any one of us.

• Be realistic.  Along with the numbers game, you are also up against some extremely stiff competition.  There are some really amazing interns here at the State Department. Many of them already have experience doing the things that their offices do.  Plenty of them come from institutions with brand-name titles.  I have met more than a few other interns whom have prior internship experience with the Department of State.  While every GSPIAn has a solid resume and experiences relevant to their degree program, at this stage of the game, so to speak, the bar has been raised.

• Have a backup plan.  I was in the same position that many of you will be in towards the end of next January: I found myself reading an email telling me I was an alternate selection.  The world did not end. I still went through my background check and received my security clearance just like the primary selections.  I never did get the hoped-for email telling me that the primary selection had fallen through.  I was, however, able to land another, albeit less prestigious, internship position with the State Department for the summer that I could do part-time from home via the internet.  This was great for me because it fit in with my schedule of researching for a professor at GSPIA while taking one class that fulfilled a minor requirement and a second class that strengthened an area of need in my academic portfolio.  Lots of people who don’t get in find extremely rewarding, career and skill enhancing internships outside of the Department of State.  Honestly, if you think you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities that the State Department will want as an intern, you will find many other doors open to you as well.

• Try again!  The State Department and many other organizations receive far fewer applications for the fall and spring intern cycles.  If you haven’t thought about doing the D.C. Semester, explore the opportunities available to you with the program.  I had always planned on doing the D.C. Semester while at GSPIA, so I polished up my essay and updated my resume and resubmitted my application package in the spring.  Remember, though, if you want to take part in the D.C. Semester program, you will have to fill out a separate application, as well as make sure that you are on target for meeting your graduation requirements.  Talk to your career and enrollment advisors if you have questions.  I’ve found each and every one of them to be extremely helpful with every question or concern I have raised.

I hope that my next post is a bit shorter and less preach-y.  Good luck applying!

Rick, MPIA-SIS, 2014

I’ve always had a passion for international affairs and related issues. My experiences domestically and abroad during my undergraduate business and postgraduate law degree put me on a path towards returning to school and earning an MPIA at GSPIA. I hope that after GSPIA I can transition to a career combining the aspects of my far-too-long-for-comfort educational history into a career as a Foreign Service Officer or in a foreign affairs-related career in the civil service.

For the fall semester I am interning with the United States Department of State in the Bureau of Administration while taking part in the Global Security & Development Program with other students from GSPIA, the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, and the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

Fair warning, I will not go into detail about my internship, the operation of the State Department, or myself for security reasons. In fact, during orientation on the first day we were read a rather incredible account of a previous intern and the security violations that ensued from improper disclosure of information on the intern’s personal blog. I must also disclaim that any views I present here are my personal views and do not represent the views or of policy of the Bureau of Administration, the Department of State, or the Government of the United States.

I know it sounds a bit overdramatic. I’m sure at least some of you are thinking “the Bureau of Administration? Who cares?” Well, it may not be the “sexiest” Bureau in the Department, but is definitely challenging, internationally focused work. In my office I am able to receive some level of exposure to a great swath of the State Department’s operations: In the morning the office might be on a call with the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, spend the afternoon working with a consulate in Saudi Arabia, and the next day we can be coordinating with DoD policy in Afghanistan. Dealing with so many issues in so many places really gives me a sense of satisfaction that I am contributing to the mission and operations of the Department of State domestically and around the world.

I hope my posts will help give you some idea of some of the opportunities available to GSPIA students in Washington D.C., dispense some useful advice, and perhaps open some eyes to other, potential, career avenues.

The Dupont Experience: Mastering the 4 Ps at the Middle East Institute (MEI)

By Yumna Rathore, MID-DPES, 2014

When I was accepted as an intern at the Middle East Institute (MEI), I was ecstatic. The thought of being in Dupont Circle, next door to Carnegie Endowment for Peace and Brookings Institute, walking distance from Atlantic Council, and a metro stop away from the World Bank and Chemonics International, was thrilling. Moreover, MEI was an organization solely focused on Middle East. The definition included Pakistan and Afghanistan, two countries I was invested in. My experience at MEI can be summarized in 4 Ps:
 

1. Professional Relationships: After substantial internship experiences in NGOs, international organizations, and government, I dived into the DC think tank world hoping to build professional relationships in DC. At the Middle East Institute, I was working with Dr. Andrea Rugh who was a technical advisor for USAID development projects in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. She was a Research Associate at the Harvard Institute of International Development (1987-1994), and worked for Save the Children and UNICEF in Pakistan and Afghanistan (1998-2002).  With over 40 years of residence and work experience in the field of international education, Dr. Rugh was a great mentor. Her guidance was a key resource to a handful of connections at the UN, World Back, and other smaller organizations.
2. Projects: The next three months starting from April were busy. My tasks varied from building a database to conducting research!
   

   • Compile and create a website database of 80 materials called “Primary Education Support” from 3 projects (a) a Pakistan education project funded by USAID (b) an Afghanistan education project funded by UNICEF and Save the Children, and (c) an Egypt life skills project funded by a group of international organizations.
   • Review, analyze, and summarize project materials including study reports, program evaluations, case study analyses, and practitioners’ books for UNESCO library in Geneva, libraries in Kabul, and other interested international organizations such as Global Partnerships in Education.
   • Promote and outreach website to 40+ individual professionals interested in post-Taliban education models.
   • Collect and synthesize articles in chronological order on Muslim-Coptic relations in Egypt after the Egyptian Revolution from the Washington Post, New York Times, LA Times, Al-Ahram, Beirut Daily Star, Egyptian Independent, and other secondary sources.
   • Research and report on sources of funding for Christian-supported TV and radio programming in Egypt.
   • Assist in two inter-departmental projects (a) generating a list of Yemeni, Syrian, Tunisian, and Egyptian writers for the Political Islam project (b) researching on transitional justice in Asia-Pacific countries mainly, Cambodia, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, East Timor, South Korea, and Taiwan for the Middle East-Asia Project (MAP)
3. Preparatory Skills: Along with the work I was assigned to by Dr. Rugh, I was also a participant of the MEI Intern Development Series (IDS). The IDS provided all interns with excellent opportunities to speak with professionals from all facets of the job market. The group of 20 or so interns would meet weekly with individuals and groups such as POMED, UNDP, Ambassador Marisa Lino, Ambassador Wendy Chamberlain, and Mehreen Farooq. Interns were also fortunate enough to have extensive resume, cover letter, and networking workshops conducted by hiring officials at MEI. Also, the flexibility of the internship enabled me to go to daily events and networking meetings in more than 15 think tanks in the course of my internship.
4. Practical Skills: Another component of the MEI internship program that I was so grateful for were the language classes. Interns could take up to two courses, one free and another at a discounted price. At MEI, I took Egyptian Arabic classes twice a week for two months. Going abroad to get language experience was not an option for me and so this was one of the best assets from interning at MEI! The institute also offers excellent Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, Dari, Urdu, and Pashto classes.
   

To conclude, my experiences at Dupont Circle were all-encompassing! There is much to learn from being in a city that has a stronghold on policy-making! If you have any questions about interning in DC or the Middle East Institute, feel free to contact me at yar5@pitt.edu. Thank you!

 

 

 

Justin Moore - Blog Post #2

Washington, D.C .

I’ve finally arrived in Washington, D.C. for the summer.  As corny as it sounds, it feels like a dream come true for someone who has studied political science throughout their academic career.  The city is busy all the time and feels alive; people are walking every where, the constant sound of vehicles, the heat.  Everything.  It is both exciting and intimidating to be here surrounded by so many important people and locations, but it feels like every step I have ever taken was leading me here.

Granted, this is only for the summer.  I am currently interning for the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the first day was great.  The building is right off of the National Mall very close to the Washington Monument, so I definitely feel like I’m right in the thick of Washington, D.C.’s federal community.  While I’m sure I’ll be done a few different things with the EPA, my main task is to conduct research on corporate environmental sustainability initiatives, in particular the way in which sub-tier suppliers provide parts used in manufacturing.  However, as this is only my first week in D.C., things won’t be picking up in the office until next week.

In the meantime, I’m spending much of my time taking in the city.  It seems like there is an endless amount of things to do and see! I’m sure they will provide my roommates (both graduate students at GSPIA interning in D.C. this summer as well) and I with tons of things to experience.  This summer is going to be one busy, wild ride.

Internship Blogs - Justin Moore, Post #1

Start.

As a warning to most, this will probably turn into another stereotypical I-love-to-travel-and-post-my-pictures blog.  I admit, however, that I’m going to try and make it something more than that.
In short:  my name is Justin Moore.  I grew up in small town Pennsylvania, graduated from West Virginia University in political science and international studies, and now I am a graduate student studying international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.  My personal and academic passion revolves around natural resource policy, energy security, the environment, and foreign affairs.  I also love traveling, and have been fortunate enough to travel and study in places like Japan, South Korea, China and Southeast Asia. Like I said, this will probably come across like a travel blog, but I’m trying to expand on that.

As a graduate student, you quickly realize that graduate study is no joke.  In fact, I’ve never come so close to a total mental break down, particularly thanks to quantitative methods research.  I’m also a nail biter when stressed, so they’ve been taking quite a hit over the past year as a first year graduate student.  However, it is also immensely rewarding, and I’ll be experiencing some wonderful opportunities in the next year thanks to graduate study at the University of Pittsburgh.  Basically, this blog is to chronicle those experience.  The good, the bad, the stressful, the fun, the domestic, and the international.

This summer, I will be interning with the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., and I am really excited for the move.  Obviously as a student of international affairs who wants to work in international environmental affairs, being in Washington, D.C. at the EPA is a dream come true.  On top of the internship, I’ll have two summer classes, all while attempting to study for a GRE retake (in the case that I’m a glutton for punishment and may perhaps want to pursue a PhD after my Masters) and learning Korean.  At the end of the summer, I’ll be traveling to Japan for two weeks as a Japan Travel for U.S. Future Leaders Fellow.  This will have me interviewing and meeting with Japanese government and industry leaders in the field of energy security.  Immediately after that, I’ll be spending a semester abroad at Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea.  All in all, once this summer fully starts at the end of May, I’ll be moving around, meeting new people, and experiencing new places all the way to 2014!

Hopefully this blog will give you a good taste of what graduate study in international affairs is all about because, as stressful as it may become, it is definitely one interesting and unique experience.

Washington DC Trip

 

We are pleased to announce some details of the Washington DC Trip!

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 February 1, 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.*

*Please note we have previously blogged about transportation and lodging options.

On Monday, March 11, we have alumni panels scheduled in the morning. Our current panels include Careers in Security and Intelligence, Careers in International Development, Federal Hiring, and DC Opportunities for International Students. Later that day, we have a confirmed site visit with the Heritage Foundation. Finally on the evening of March 11, we will have a networking reception at Honeywell.

On Tuesday, March 12, we have more alumni panels schedule in the morning. The themes of the panels are the DC Job Market, Philanthropy and NPOs, International Trade and Finance, and Communications and Advocacy. After the alumni panels, we have a confirmed site visit with AECOM.

We are currently working on confirming more site visits with employers on all days on the trip!
For information on places to stay in the DC Metro area and transportation, we have previously blogged on this so just scroll down. If you have any questions on the DC trip plans, please let us know. Make sure to keep following us so you can get up-to-date to information on the DC Trip!
Please note, if there are not enough attendees we will have to cancel the trip. So register today!

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.