The Washington Center
Cal Poly is affiliated with The Washington Center, an organization that provides students with academic and internship experiences in Washington, D.C. Students in the program live in D.C. for one quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall) and participate in academic functions at the Center, as well as an internship designed to give the student hands-on experience in a field of interest. The Center helps students arrange internships, with students typically serving in either a government agency or in an organization involved in D.C. politics (such as a lobbying firm, a non-governmental organization, or a policy institute). For more information, see The Washington Center homepage or contact Professor Chris Den Hartog (cdenhart@calpoly.edu), who is the faculty liaison. If you are going to apply for the Washington Center, you need to contact Professor Den Hartog and have him approve the application in order for the Washington Center to consider your application.
Other Internship Opportunities
Law Enforcement
Description of duties: case handling working with public, reports, (patrol, investigations) for CSO.
Requirements: good communication skills, clear writing ability, desire to work with people.
SLO County Probation
2176 Johnson Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact: Glenn Fuss
Phone: (805) 781-5343
Cal Poly University Police (CSO Program) (will make exceptions, if needed)
Phone: University Police, (805) 756-2281
SLO County Sheriff
P.O. Box 32
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Contact: Commander Ron Hastie
Phone: (805) 781-4550
Media
Description of duties: administrative duties, assist in research/ writing, public relations. Requirements: possible - Junior standing, interest in politics/journalism. Minimum one quarter internship- hours flexible.
KSBY-TV
1772 Calle Joaquin
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Contact: Ryan Quintana
Phone: (805) 597-8404
Email: rquintana@ksby.com
C-SPAN Internship Program
400 N. Capitol St., N.W., Suite 650
Washington, D.C. 20001
Web: http://www.c-span.org
Washington Center for Politics and Journalism
P.O. Box 15201
Washington, DC 20003
Contact: Terry Michael
Phone: (202) 296-8455 Fax: (800)858-8365
Web: www.wcpj.org
Open to Journalism Students only!
NonProfit/Lobby Aide
Description of duties: communications, government relations, response to member inquiries, meeting summaries. Requirements: computer skills, flexibility, interest in policymaking, possible: resume, writing sample, letters of recommendation, statement of interest. Minimum one quarter internship. Hours flexible.
Community Foundation
1401 Higuera St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Contact: Janice Wolf
Phone: (805) 543-2323
E-mail: jwolf@sloccf.org
EOC Homeless Services
750 Orcutt Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact: Jody Smith
Phone: (805) 541-6351 ext.. 14
Contact: Peggy Fowler
Phone: (805) 541-6351 ext. 15
E-mail: emanning@eocslo.org
ECOSLO
1204 Nipomo Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact: David Kirk, Office Coordinator
Phone: (805) 544-1777
E-mail: david@ecoslo.org
San Luis Obispo Medical Society
3165 South Broad St., Ste. 114
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact: Jessica Goldman, Executive Director
Phone: (805) 544-3020
E-mail: jessica.goldman@slocam.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters
1880 Santa Barbara St., Ste. A-3/ PO Box 12644
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406-3029
Contact: Sarah Rudd-Lawler
Phone: (805) 781-3226 ext. 26
California Rural Legal Assistance
1160 Marsh St., Ste. 114
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact: Mike Black
Phone: (805) 544-7994
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
75 Higuera Suite 180
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact: Elsemae Curry
Phone: (805) 546-2401 ext. 107
E-mail: cmendoza@slocasa.org
Editorial Internship
Sierra Magazine
Attn: Karina Kinik, Copy Editor
85 Second St., 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Fax: 415-977-5794
Web: www.sierraclub.org/jobs/intern.asp
Consumers for World Trade, Internship Coordinator
1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 1110
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 293-2944
corndorf@cais.com
Environmental Careers Organization
California Program Office
45 Belden Place
2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415-362-5552
E-mail: pcalzada@eco.org
Web: http://www.eco.org/
Sierra Club Legislative Office
Jeremy Peizer
408 C Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
phone: 202-675-7905
Web: www.sierraclub.com
Email: dc-internships@sierraclub.org
Common Cause
1250 Connecticut Ave. NW.
Washington, D.C. 20036
Contact: Eyan Storrar, Internship Coordinator
E-mail: istorrar@commoncause.org
Phone: (202) 833-1200
Apply Online: www.commoncause.org
Interest Groups
Description of duties: research, administrative duties, public relations, other. Requirements: interest in field
Arms Control Association
1150 Connecticut Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202) 463-8270 x.104
Contact: Wade Boese (Bayz)
Email: aca@armscontrol.org
Web: www.armscontrol.org
The American Israel
Public Affairs Committee
America's Pro-Israel Lobby
400 First Street, N.W., Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20001
Contarct: Emily Ruden, Internship Coordinator
Phone: (202) 639-5184
Web: www.aipac.org
The Brookings Institution
Governmental Studies Program
1775 Massachusetts Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20036-2188
Phone: (202) 797-6243
Contact: Pietro Nivola, Internship Coordinator
Web: http://www.brook.edu/
Center for Defense Information
1779 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-2109
Contact: Whitney Parker
Communications Director & Internship Coordinator
Phone: 202.797-5267
Web: http://www.cdi.org/
The Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs, Inc.
1119 19th St., N.W.
Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202) 296-3920
Email: intern@cfna.org
Web: http://www.cfna.com
Min. 3.0 GPA Req'd
Washington Internship Institute
1776 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Ste. 201
Washington, D.C. 20036
Contact: Matt Buchanan or Julie Froom, Intern Coordinators
Phone: (800) 435-0770
Email: info@ielnet.org
Web: http://www.ielnet.org
Placement in DC area only;
For credit only
Institute for Policy Studies
733 15th Street N.W.,
Suite 1020
Washington, D.C. 20005
Contact: Dorian Lipscomb
Phone: (202) 234-9382 x.233
Web: http://www.ips-dc.org
U.S. Chambers of Commerce
Attn: Internship Coordinator
1615 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20062
Phone: (202) 463-5731
Email: intern@uschamber.com
Web: uschamber.org
U.S. Secret Service
Attn: Student Intern Coordinator
1800 G Street, N.W. Room 912
Washington, D.C. 20223
Web: treas.gov/uss
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
911 Second St.. NE
Washington, D.C. 20062
Contact: Fabiola Donato, Intern Coordinator
Phone: 1-800-392-3532 or (202) 543-1771
Email: fdonato@chci.org
Web: chci.org
Dept. of Defense- Washington
Headquarters Services
2521 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Ste. 3000
Crystal City, VA 22202
Contact: Tom Davis
Phone: (703) 604-6096
Web: persec.whs.mil/hrsc/specemployprog.html
Department of State
Intern Coordinator, Recruitment Division
2401 E. Street NW, Rm H518
Washington, DC 20522
Web: state.gov
Congressional Research Center
Library of Congress, CRS/LM-205
101 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20540-7000
Contact: Warren Lenhart
Phone: (202) 707-7641
Web: loc.gov/crsinfo
Serious applicants fax resume with cover letter to: (202) 707-2615 or email to: bmccalip@crs.loc.gov
Law
Description of duties: client contact, legal research, office work, liaison w/media, status reports from courts, research analysis. Requirements: strong research skills, computer skills, ability to work under time constraints, interest in field of law/ public administration. Minimum one quarter internship- hours flexible.
SLO County Probation
2176 Johnson Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 788-2115
Contact: Nancy Lindholm
Department of Social Services: Child Welfare Services
3433 South Higuera
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 781-1700
Contact: Charlene Hite
U.S. Secret Service
Los Angeles Field Office
225 E. Temple St., 17th floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 533-4454
Contact: Debbie Winfrey, Internship Coordinator
District Attorney's Office
Courthouse Annex 4th Floor
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 781-5861
Contact: Kimberly Hanson
Supreme Court Fellow
Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice
Supreme Court of the United States
Room 5
Washington, D.C. 20543
Phone: (202) 479-3415
International Law Institute
The Foundry Building
1055 Thomas Jefferson St., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
USA
Phone: (202) 247-6006
Web: ili.org
Cuesta College Campus Police Department
Hwy. 1
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 546-3205
Contact: Justin Longcar
Judge Rogelio Flores
County of Santa Barbara Superior Court - North Div.
312 East Cook St.
Santa Maria, CA 93456
Phone: (805) 346-7473
Contact: Don Young
District Attorney- Victim/Witness Assistance
County Government Center, Room 121
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Phone: (805) 781-5821
Contact: Jennifer Cudworth
Hall & Hieatt
1319 Marsh St., 2nd floor
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 544-3830
Contact: Bonnie Morris
Shell Beach Law Group
Brian Craig Kreowski
1435 Shell Beach Rd.
Shell Beach, CA 93449
Contact: Kim Smario
Phone: (805) 773-5661
Stein & Casciola
1119 Palm St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 541- 4135
Contact: Chris Casciola
Email: chriscasciola@hotmail.com
Specializing in criminal defense
Capital Aide
Description of duties: misc. administrative including constituent correspondence, legislative research, press releases, event planning and answering phones. Requirements: school transcripts, at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen, good communication skills, interest in policies and policymaking. Application: possible resume/references/writing sample, computer skills, interest in local/state politics and policymaking.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Executive Office of the Governor
State Capital
Sacramento, CA 95814
Contact: Jessica Ardaiz, Internship Coordinator
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Email: internships@gov.ca.gov
White House Internship Program
Washington D.C.
Contact: Karen Rice, Intern Coordinator
Phone: (202) 456-9713
Web: whitehouse.gov then go to Appointments, then Application
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee
1104 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact: Christine Robertson
Phone: (805) 549-3381
Web: republican.assembly.ca.gov
Senator Abel Maldonado
1356 Marsh Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: 805-549-3784
Web: republican.sen.ca.gov/
Congresswoman Lois Capps - Santa Barbara
101 W. Anapamu St., Suite C
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 730-1710
Web: www.house.gov/capps/
Senator Barbara Boxer
112 Hart Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Contact: Danielle Leone
Phone: (202) 224-3553
Email: intern@boxer@senate.gov
Web: boxer.senate.gov
District Office (Fresno)
Contact: Ana Joval Melendez
Phone: (559) 497-5109
Senator Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3841
Email: senator@feinstein.senate.gov
Apply on-line: feinstein.senate.gov
NALEO Educational Fund
Summer Legislative Internship Program
1122 Washington Blvd., 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: 213- 747-7606, ext. 127
Web: nshp.org/internships_grants/naleo_educational_fund_paid_summer_internships
Bono-Capps Congressional Internship Program
1608 Rhode Island Ave. NW 2nd Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
Contact: Jennifer Poulakidas
Phone: (202) 478-6053.
Apply On-line: www.cssdc.org/internship.html
Elections/Campaign
Description of duties: analysis of voter registration and election results, writing/presenting reports, working with/on precinct voter lists, organizing volunteers. Requirements: computer skills, responsibility, interest in local politics and elections.
SLO County Democratic Headquarters
1110 Marsh Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact: Estelle Wall
Phone: (805) 545-7778
Republican Headquarters SLO - Campaign Office
1179 Toro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 541-4010
Project Vote Smart
Internship Coordinator
One Common Ground
Philipsburg, MT 59858
Phone: 406-859-8683
Fax: 406-859-8680
Email: intern@vote-smart.org
Web: vote-smart.org
City
Description of Duties: special projects, research, cross-checking, research, updating forms, administrative duties. Requirements: some coursework in field (CRP, architecture, engineering). Minimum one quarter internship - Hours flexible.
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Contact: Kathy Hamilton
Phone: (805) 781-7254
Email: khamilton@slocity.org
Web: http://www.slocity.org
City of Santa Maria
110 E. Cook St. Rm. 1
San Luis Obispo, CA 93454
Contact: Rick Haydon
Phone: (805) 925-0951 ext. 423
Email: rhaydon@ci.santa-maria.ca.us
City of Pismo Beach
Administrative Office
760 Mattie Rd.
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Contact: Debra Garcia
Phone: (805) 773-4657
Web: http://www.pismobeach.org
County of San Luis Obispo
Administrative Office, Room 370
County Government Center
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Contact: Dan Buckchi
Phone: (805) 781-5011
City of Arroyo Grande
PO Box 550
Arroyo Grande, CA 93421
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Contact: Steve Adams
Phone: (805) 473-5404
Email: sadams@arroyogrande.org
Political Science Department
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
805-756-2984 Last Updated: 01/28/2008
Email: politicalscience@calpoly.edu