Off-Campus Opportunities
Coe has a Washington Term Program in which political science students are encouraged to participate. It involves living in Washington, D.C. for the entire fall term and taking a first-hand observer course in American government and a part-time internship--usually in a governmental or interest group office.
 Grady Brown ’12 had an internship in the U.S. Senate and enjoyed the cherry blossoms in spring semester 2011. |
This is what Grady has to say about that opportunity: "I have always believed in learning by doing, so working and living in Washington DC allowed me to draw upon material I had learned in class at Coe and apply it to the real world scenario. I knew that I would gain a better understanding of the workings of Congress and politics in general, but I wasn't aware of the amount of personal growth and maturity that would also be included in this educational experience. Working in a Senator's office allowed me to work closely with the legislative team; by going to hearings, researching facts about legislation, and staying up to date on the schedule of Congress, I was able to gain some valuable insight and experience. Living in DC and experiencing everything the city had to offer (whether it was a Smithsonian museum or a sporting event) was an incredible opportunity. Coming to Washington DC will remain one of the best decisions I have ever made and will continue to pay off in my academic, professional, and personal life." |
Other off-campus programs are well-suited to political science majors, including ACM programs in Botswana, Chicago, Costa Rica and India.
Internships, either full-time or part-time, are also possible in other locations. Past examples include working in local government offices in Maine and Iowa, presidential campaigns, a U.S. senator's office, the Illinois and Iowa legislatures, and the local office of legal assistance.
