MSPP Internship Program

The MSPP Internship Program enables current students to receive compensation for unpaid internships and expands students' opportunities for experienced-based learning in non-profit, community-based, and governmental organizations.  Graduate students enrolled full-time at the Maryland School of Public Policy may compete for funding that covers up to one academic semester working part-time, or one summer working full-time, on projects that allow them to apply the analytical skills they gain in class to challenges faced by non-profit, governmental, and community-based organizations.  Students receive payment for their work from a variety of philanthropic sources including:

MSPP Alumni Internship Fund

Joseph W. Rogers Internship Fund

William Donald Schaefer Fund

Susan C. Schwab Internship Fund (International Focused Internships)

 

To apply for the MSPP Internship Program,  download the application and submit via email to C. Bryan Kempton, Director for Career Services and Alumni Relations at bkempton@umd.edu.  Please note that internship funding is limited and determined through a competitive process at the beginning of each semester and the summer.  For best consideration, submit your completed application prior to the following dates each year:

Fall Semester Internships:                 August 15

Spring Semester Internships:            December 15

Summer Internships:                           Monday, April 16, 2012

 

MSPP Alumni Interns 

• Julia Allman (MPP ’12), a student in the environmental policy program at the School, interned at the American Planning Association. Passionate about issues of growth and sprawl, Julia worked with the Community Planning Assistance Team, which links under-served communities with planning professionals. This opportunity allowed Julia to learn more about the specific planning needs that communities across the country face.
• Holti Banka (MPP ’12), whose specialization is in international development, worked with the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation. Holti worked with a large and influential international organization that not only helps countries develop but also assists in the implementation of policies that create opportunities for people to escape poverty.
• Meredith James (MPP ’12), who is studying environmental policy at the School, interned at the District Department of Transportation. Through her academic and internship endeavors, she has become aware of how transportation policy affects public health, energy security and the environment. This internship helped Meredith gain a greater understanding of the transportation sector, especially in creating better biking and walking policy.
• Everett Kimball (MPP ’12), a student in the public sector financial management program, worked at the Financial Services Roundtable. Interested in both technology and public finance, Everett was thrilled to be able to work with the Roundtable’s BITS Internship Program where he improved his understanding of the financial services industry.
• Sean Lowry (MPP ’12), whose specialization is in international security and economic policy worked as a summer associate at the U.S. Congressional Budget Office. Through his experience within the Microeconomic Studies Division of the CBO, Sean gained a better understanding of the role that policy analysis plays in informing the decision of policymakers.
• Elizabeth Schweigert (MPP ’12), who is studying both social policy and international security and economic policy at the School, interned with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Through this internship,  Elizabeth gained practical knowledge of U.S. foreign policy as it applies to foreign funding for reproductive health.
• Cassandra Surber (MPP ’12), whose specialization is social policy, worked within the Online Supporter Engagement Team at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Cassie used her qualitative and analytical skills to help identify best practices for online supporter engagement. She also gained real-life experience working with a national, nonprofit organization.
• Elizabeth Wofford (BA/MPP ’12), a current student in the international development program, worked as a Peace Fellow with the Advocacy Project in the Czech Republic. She worked with the Dženo Association, an independent media organization focused on raising awareness about marginalized communities in Europe. Elizabeth gained valuable hands-on field experience in development work.
• Liabeth Yohannes (MPP/MS ’12), a dual degree candidate in conservation biology and environmental policy, worked in Bolivia with the Fundacion Natura. Liabeth conducted field research to help assess the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of bio-fuel production.

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Joseph W. Rogers Interns

• Alexander Borman (MPP ’14; J.D. ’14) , who is studying international security and economic policy at the School, worked with the U.S. Department of State in the office of Euro-Atlantic Security Affairs; Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance. This opportunity gave Alexander a chance to learn about today’s arms control and nonproliferation.

• Jeremy Hanson (MPP’12), a student in the environmental policy program, worked as a Lands Program Intern with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Jeremy was excited to have the opportunity to work on his passion – water resource management.  This experience with the Chesapeake Bay allowed him to explore a classic case study of local and regional watershed management as well as better understand the advocacy process.
• Ly Phuong Nguyen (MPP’12), whose specialization at the School is international development, worked with the Population and Community Development Association in Thailand, participating in the Village Development Partnership and providing support for the School Based Integrated Rural Development program. Through this experience, Ly gained further knowledge – along with hands-on experience – with tools to generate incomes (e.g. microfinance, pro-poor businesses) and services to improve the well-being of those living in poverty (e.g. education, sanitation).
• Sarah Pedersen (MPP’12), whose focus is social policy, worked with the National Research Center for Women and Families as a policy, research and communications intern.  Her goal was to expand her knowledge of advocacy efforts and the functions of a nationally based nonprofit seeking to influence policymakers and the effectiveness of policies. During this process, Sarah learned about health policy, health research and health communications.

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William Donald Schaefer Interns

• Virginia Kotzias (MPP ’12), a student in the social policy specialization at the School, participated in a joint internship between the Maryland Municipal League(MML) and the Environmental Finance Center to launch a new municipal program called “Sustainable Maryland Certified” (SMC).  By focusing sustainability on the local level, Ginny worked with SMC and MML to make Maryland healthier, raise awareness about environmental and social equity limitations, and make sustainability programs easier for municipalities to engage in. 

•  Luke Lindberg (MBA/MPP ’13), whose specialization is management, finance and leadership, interned with the City of Annapolis.  Luke worked directly with City Manager Mike Mallinoff to develop a series of performance management initiatives for the city.  From Luke’s position in the Mayor’s Office, he also observed the day-to-day activities of the mayor and city manager and attended meetings to learn about many of the intricacies of city management that focused on both policy and human capital.  

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Susan C. Schwab Intern

• Shreema Mehta (MPP’12) used her focus in environmental policy this summer at the Energy and Research Institute (TERI) in New Delhi, India. She worked under the supervision of Dr. Arabinda Mishra, Shreema helped translate advance in agricultural technology into policy that can help the people of India.

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In addition, funding from the MSPP Alumni Internship Fund, the Joseph W. Rogers Internship Fund and the Susan C. Schwab Internship Fund supported Public Policy student participation in a student-led consulting initiative in Sri Lanka as a part of the USAID’s Business Growth Initiative (BGI) project. Seven students from the University (four from the School of Public Policy and three from the Robert H. Smith School of Business) worked with three businesses to provide technical assistance and expertise.  The aim of the project was to address the disparity in economic development between conflict-affected districts in the Eastern and Northern Provinces in Sri Lanka and the rest of the country. The Sri Lanka Program gave students an opportunity to apply their expertise to real-world business and policy applications.