THE HARRISBURG INTERNSHIP SEMESTER
Your academic record reflects a substantial record of achievement in your undergraduate work at Bloomsburg University. Given that record, you may be interested in a special opportunity to expand your experience, taking your strengths into the new and interesting forum of an internship in the offices of Pennsylvania state government.
Bloomsburg University is now seeking applicants for The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program in the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters. If you have an interest in any aspect of state government and can make a semester in Harrisburg part of your academic program, we encourage you to compete for this opportunity. We also encourage you to talk with your faculty advisor and/or department chair about this internship and its potential contribution to your academic program.
Each applicant must have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average in a minimum of 45 undergraduate credit hours at the time of application for placement during the junior or senior year. THIS welcomes students with any academic major. Every effort is made to tailor the student’s internship placement to the academic major.
The detailed program information and its online application can be found at http://www.passhe.edu/inside/asa/Opportunities/this/
For further inquiry, please contact Dr. Sheng Ding, T.H.I.S. Faculty Campus Coordinator
[ Office: 214 BCH, tel: 389-4336, e-mail: sding@bloomu.edu ]
******APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, 18 February, 2011******
Previous THIS interns from BU and their internship placements
Fall 2008 Waldman Amanda (English/History) Office of Lieutenant Governor
Spring 2009 Anne Marie Magness (English) Office of the Speaker of the House
Fall 2009 Joshua A. Christensen (Political Science) Office of the Attorney General
Spring 2010 Michael A. Gerber (Political Science) Office of Senator Jay Costa
Fall 2010 Matthew Miller (Accounting/Finance) Governor’s Budget Office
Spring 2011 Joan Bradbury (Social Work) To be placed in Nov. 2010
What the Selection Committee Needs?
1. To complete online application form (http://www.passhe.edu/inside/asa/Opportunities/this/Pages/toa.aspx).
2. Application letter (1-2 pages) that explains your interest in applying for THIS, any background that you feel is relevant, career objectives, and what you hope to gain from the THIS experience.
3. A writing sample from any previous coursework (no more than 5 pages).
4. Current transcript (can be official or unofficial)
5. Resume (1-2 pages)
6. Two letters of recommendation at least one of which from a BU faculty member. The letters should include the writer’s opinion of your ability (1) in the major field of study, (2) in interpersonal and written communication, (3) to complete projects, and (4) to adjust to new surroundings and situations. Your maturity, judgment and sense of responsibility may also be addressed.
Completed application packets should be sent to:
Dr. Sheng Ding
THIS Faculty Campus Coordinator
Associate Professor of Political Science
Political Science Department
214 BCH
(570) 389-4336
e-mail: sding@bloomu.edu
How the Internship Program (THIS) Works
By involving students in the public policy practice, THIS provides an important and enriching academic experience. Students learn the dynamics of state government in new and powerful ways through direct involvement in report and speech writing, research, and program design and evaluation. In turn, policy makers benefit from the fresh points of view of these outstanding students.
Each student earns a total of 15 semester credit hours for the internship experience from the State System university in which they are enrolled. Nine credit hours are for the internship placement experience, three credit hours for completing an individualized directed project involving substantial research and analysis, and three credit hours are earned for participation in a rigorous academic seminar.
Student interns are responsible for payment of tuition, fees, other campus-based charges, and housing expenses in Harrisburg. The State System university in which the student is enrolled awards financial assistance to the intern in the form of a stipend, which approximates these charges. Interested applicants should check with their local THIS Faculty Campus Coordinator for details.
Each applicant must have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average in a minimum of 45 undergraduate credit hours at the time of application for placement during the junior or senior year. THIS welcomes students with any academic major. Every effort is made to tailor the student’s internship placement to the academic major.
Each State System university selects its THIS representative independently. Application dates and deadlines vary slightly from campus to campus based on academic calendar. Each university has a THIS Faculty Campus Coordinator responsible for the THIS student selection process on that campus. These campus coordinators can provide application forms and information on the application process.
If you are interested in applying to participate in The Harrisburg Internship Semester, please contact the Campus Coordinator at your institution or complete the online application.
**EDITORS NOTE: INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE BU OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS.**
