The WLP is a national non-profit organization that is developing the next generation of American leadership from the South Asian community. Our program takes promising college students and places them in a Congressional office for an eight-week summer internship accompanied by a structured leadership curriculum. Students then complete a leadership project applying their learning from the summer and are inducted into a leadership community currently made up of 170 alumni from the 15 years of the program. Former Congressional leader Richard Gephardt has called it “one of the best programs of its kind on the Hill.”
Since 1995, the WLP has given more than 170 South Asian American students the opportunity to intern in Washington, DC. In addition to the internship, participants attend special meetings and events to fully expose them to the South Asian American political Diaspora. Past programs and events have included meetings with South Asian American elected officials, Ambassadors and South Asians who are working in Congress, the federal government and local and state agencies.
Please visit the WLP Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/TheWLP
THE 2012 WLP PROGRAM
The WLP internship will run from June 9, 2012 – August 3, 2012. All students who are either US citizens or legal permanent residents are encouraged to apply. Selection to the WLP is highly competitive and not limited to students pursuing majors in social sciences. The backgrounds of past participants have ranged from medical school to art and social work. Interns will receive a total stipend of $1,500 and will be required to complete 2-3 short writing assignments during the internship. The deadline to apply for the WLP is January 20, 2012. Finalists may be contacted for a telephone interview and all applicants will be notified of final selections in March 2012. Should you have any questions or would like further information about the program, please contact us at wlp@thewlp.com.
THE WLP EXPERIENCE
The WLP provides a unique summer experience to our participants - the dynamism of each summer is partially due to the curriculum but mostly due to the students themselves. You can learn more about the WLP experience by reading the participants' own accounts of their summer.
THE POST-WLP EXPERIENCE
After the WLP participants complete their summer, they are inducted into the alumni - a community of nearly 200 individuals who share a common bond in the unique experience of the WLP. The alumni are active leaders in a diverse fields including law, medicine, business, academia, government, the nonprofit sector and even entertainment. The connection with alumni to the program and to each other is maintained through email distribution lists, events, and an annual WLP reunion which takes place during the summer. More services are planned to make the post-WLP experience more rich. You can find out what our alumni are doing now through our alumni news and leadership profiles.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q.) How long is the internship? What are the starting and ending dates for the internship program?
The internship last for 8 weeks from June 9, 2012 – August 3, 2012.
Q.) How much is the compensation?
A stipend of $1,500 is provided upon completing the internship.
Q.) Can high school/undergraduate/graduate students apply?
To be eligible to apply students must be an undergraduate and have completed at least their first year of college prior to the start of the internship. Undergraduate students who will graduate in the Spring of 2012 are also eligible to apply.
We do not accept high school or graduate students.
Q.) Can a foreign student with an (F-1) visa apply?
No, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.
Q.) Do I have to be a political science/social science major?
The internship is not limited to students pursuing majors in social sciences. The backgrounds of past participants have ranged from medical school to art and social work.
Q.) Can you send me an application form?
You can download an application for this website.
Q.) Do you provide housing or help finding housing?
We do not provide housing, but can we can advise you on where summer interns tend to live.
Q.) What are the hours required?
A typical day will last from about 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday-Friday. Additionally, there will be weekday evening programs on average twice a week and 1-2 weekend activities over the course of the internship.
Q.) Can I receive academic credit for my internship?
We will do our best to work with your university to ensure you may receive academic credit for the internship as long as their requirements do not interfere with our program requirements.
Q.) When is the deadline to apply?
January 20, 2012.
Q.) When will the acceptances be notified?
March 2012.
Q.) Where do interns get placed?
Most interns are placed in Congressional House offices or government agencies.
Q.) Do I have to find a Congressional or government office to be placed with?
No. We will place interns with Congressional offices and government agencies.
Q.) Is there a GPA requirement?
No. While academic excellence is sought in program applicants, we look for a well-rounded student who demonstrates ambition, academic ability, leadership ability, maturity, and involvement in campus and community activities. Weakness in GPA can often be compensated for with a strong resume, a good recommendation, and a well-written essay.
Q.) What kind of resume should I submit?
Applicants should submit a one-page typed resume that is clean, accurate, and well laid-out. Resumes should summarize your academic experience, leadership experience, your work experience, and your honors, awards and activities. Keep in mind that this resume is used to help secure you an internship, so we may fax it to potential host Congressional offices. Please make sure that your resume is limited to one page in length and includes all of your contact and school information.
Q.) Can I send parts of the application separately?
Applications must be sent containing all required items with the exception of the letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation may be sent directly to us or may be given to the applicant to submit with the application.
Q.) What will I do as an intern?
The internship will include a weekend orientation, followed by an eight-week Congressional internship, and a leadership curriculum.
The orientation will serve as an introduction to Capitol Hill, the Administration, and Washington DC. Throughout the summer, interns will meet with prominent South Asian Americans in government, community activists and leaders as well as participate in group discussions, team building activities, and tours.
Intern responsibilities in the office will vary according to the office in which you have your internship. Interns should keep in mind that their work will not entail “Congress-shaking” activities. The aim of this program is first-hand, on-site observation of the day-to-day workings of Capitol Hill and the Administration. Interns will come away with genuine insight into the processes that shape national policy. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Legislative correspondence (answering constituent mail, data entry, stuffing envelopes, etc.)
- Legislative and issue research projects as determined by intern coordinator
- General office support (answering phones, photocopying, sending faxes, data entry, etc.)
- Attend Congressional hearings, or House or Senate floor debate, for research
- Running errands (pick-up and delivery of research materials)
- Staffing events
Q.) Where can I learn more about what the WLP experience is like?
You can read personal accounts from the participants themselves about their summer experience.
