PAAIA Launches Capitol Hill Internship Program
February 7, 2012, Washington, D.C. – The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) is pleased to announce the launch of its Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP), which aims to promote increased civic participation by young Iranian Americans.
The CHIP program will offer college students or recent graduates of Iranian descent the unique opportunity to get a firsthand look at our nation’s legislative and political process. In conjunction with Congressional offices in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, applicants who are accepted will spend approximately 6-8 weeks during the summer living and working in the nation’s capital.
The goal of the program is to increase the influence and voice of Iranian Americans in public service by helping place summer interns in Congressional offices and eventually other public service positions. 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.
Individuals who apply for the unpaid internship will be evaluated on the merit of both their educational and professional experiences. For those who are selected, PAAIA will make all attempts to place them in offices that are befitting to their academic/career interest as well as their geographic region. The application process is highly selective and only a few will be chosen for these internship opportunities. Each of the three recipients who are successfully placed on Capitol Hill will receive a stipend of $2,000 from PAAIA.
The CHIP program is part of PAAIA’s on-going efforts to expand opportunities for the active participation of Iranian Americans in the democratic process.
Click here to learn more and apply to PAAIA’s CHIP Program.
