The Washington Center offers the Federal Diversity Internship Initiative (formerly known as the Competitive Government Program) to help students from a wide variety of backgrounds access opportunities with selected government agencies. Positions are located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as well as in other regions across the United States. 

Review this resource to determine if the Federal Diversity Internship Initiative is the best way for you to participate in The Washington Center.

Goals of the Initiative

This initiative is designed to assist the federal government with hiring and training the next generation of leaders. It is focused on supporting federal agencies so that they can meet the priorities of:

• Promoting diversity in the federal workforce
• Increasing the number of veterans hired by the government
• Increasing the representation of people with disabilities

The Federal Diversity Internship Initiative is open to all qualified candidates without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law.

Program Components

• Internship: Students are immersed in a work environment full-time (40 hours/week) and receive direction from a mentor at the federal agency.
• Professional Development: In addition to the internship experience, students have an academic program advisor who organizes workshops on various topics (conducted as webinars for students placed outside of the D.C. area) and provides feedback on written assignments.

Benefits of Participation

• Gain professional experience within the U.S. government
• Learn how to navigate USAJobs.gov
• Build a federal resume
• Conduct informational interviews
• Create an individual development plan and enhance goal setting skills

Contact Info

Federal Agencies

Please contact Nick Catanzaro at Nick.Catanzaro@twc.edu or 202-238-7995 for more information.

Prospective Students

Please contact Lyndsy Horn at Lyndsy.Horn@twc.edu or 202-238-7917 for more information.

Channel your ideas, passions, and interests into creating a research project!

You'll develop professional skills, relationships with peers and faculty, and a better resume'. You might even get an opportunity to travel and/or present your work!

Check out some of the things other students in your field have done and get involved today!

Also, there is a How To Get Started in Research Workshop  THIS FRIDAY, November 7, 2014 at 12 pm in SONDHEIM 103. Come out and learn more about becoming a student researcher!!!

Halloween was this Friday (as if you didn’t already know that– I know, I’m still recovering from my candy coma, too) and I’ve been doing a lot of self reflection on the past year. Most people do their reflecting in January at the start of the new year, but Halloween is my “new year.” I started my medical transition on October 31, 2013, so as Friday rolled around I began thinking about all the things that have happened and who I’ve become since last Halloween.

guhhh…This Halloween definitely paid for my dentist’s vacation.

I am so much happier than I was 18 months ago. I have a group of very dear friends who care about me. I have made my own family and my own home here in Baltimore, and my family’s house back in Frostburg feels much more welcoming. I feel joy again. I’m doing well in school. I feel validated in my work and I feel like I have the ability to make change not just at UMBC, but in the larger community.

If you had told me all of this before I went on testosterone, I would have said, “Wow! It’s amazing all the things testosterone can do for me!” Now, I’ve realized that the testosterone had nothing to do with it. It wasn’t some magical elixir like a Felix Felicis potion. It didn’t fix something that was broken. It didn’t give me friends or make people like me more. All of that was me. I did that.

“Bottled good fortune. Brewed correctly the drinker of this potion will be lucky in all their endeavors…” –J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

It’s amazing the things you can discover about who you are and what you’re capable of once you stop putting all your energy into hating yourself. Being on testosterone didn’t make me hate myself less– just like losing 20 pounds isn’t going to make your body image issues go away. It removed the thing I was using as an excuse for hating myself. It’s easy to say, “I’ll love myself once I’m on testosterone,” but I realized that self love doesn’t come in a 10mL vial. You can’t diet your way to self love, either. You have to work towards it and it’s hard, but it’s totally worth it.

What I’ve learned in the past twelve months is that I am worthy of my love unconditionally and let me tell you, that Halloween candy tastes so much sweeter now.

Undergraduate Research at UMBC is one of the best ways to get involved and increase the quality of your academic career!

Follow the link to check out some of the research opportunities available to you and see what other students in your field have done.

Take the first step today!

That's right. English majors have such a dynamic pathway to undergraduate research because there are a million concrete and abstract concepts to explore!!

From classroom techniques, to grammar/writing style, and even movie implications such as "Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Events", the ball is really in your court!

Check out some cool research opportunities in this field and read up on what other students have done!

Become a student researcher today; nothing to lose, and so much to gain ($$$, internships, travel experiences, etc.)