Meet PAAIA’s 2012 Fall CHIP Fellow
October 18, 2012, Washington, D.C. – There is a new Iranian American on Capitol Hill and his name is Darien Salehy. Darien who is the Fall recipient of PAAIA’s Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP), is interning at the office of Senator Mark Udall (D-CO).
The PAAIA CHIP Program recognizes that congressional internships are often the inspiration and launching point for the careers of some of the most distinguished public servants in the nation. Members of Congress and their constituents depend on interns for their work and contributions. Serving as congressional intern gives Darien an important vantage point on American public life, valuable professional networking and communications skills, and an important credential to work full time as a congressional staffer or elsewhere in federal or state government.
Darien is a recent graduate of University of Colorado – Boulder, where he majored in International Affairs. He joined Senator Udall’s Washington, D.C. office this fall. He is currently interning for the Senator Udall’s Press Department, conducting legal and factual research, speechwriting, and working on official press releases.
The purpose of the CHIP program is to promote increased civic participation among young Iranian Americans by offering college students or recent graduates of Iranian descent the opportunity to get a first-hand look at our nation’s legislative and political process. The program is enhanced by access to PAAIA D.C. events, opportunities to network with and be mentored by Iranian American staff on Capitol Hill and the Administration, as well as mentorship opportunities with non-governmental organizations throughout Washington, D.C. In addition to providing interns with highly desired experience in the public sector, this opportunity allows interns to identify and secure career opportunities in public service that may be otherwise difficult to find.
The CHIP program is made possible by a generous contribution from PAAIA Member, Dr. Akbar Ghahary. The recipients receive a stipend of $2,000 each.
Click here to learn more and apply to PAAIA’s Spring CHIP Program.
