TWC at UNH: What Happens Next?

The Washington Center Internship Program

How the TWC Placement Process Works

Once you have been officially accepted by TWC, here's what you can expect. Please keep in mind that most placement interviews take place 3-6 weeks prior to the start of the internship. If you applied during the early or competitive ranges, there could be a long wait until your placement process begins, which your security clearance is being obtained. As you wait, you can monitor your progress on TWC's website, complete housing forms, and select your TWC class.

Your Program Advisor

As part of our acceptance, you will be assigned to one of the TWC Programs (most UNH students have received their first choice). This will come with a Program Advisor, and this person becomes your contact at TWC. Program Advisors act as your agent, sending your materials around to offices and agencies that would be a good fit. Please keep this person informed of any changes to your plans, or requests that you may have. You will be working closely with him or her during your entire TWC experience.

Your TWC Account

Once you are officially accepted, you will be sent a TWC username & password so that you can go into another section of the TWC website and monitor your account. You can see exactly what agencies your Program Advisor is sending your application materials to. Monitor this regularly!

The Phone Interview

Actual placements don't really start happening until 1-2 months before you are scheduled to arrive in Washington DC. Even if you applied for the earliest of deadlines, do not expect anyone to start contacting you until about 6-8 weeks before you begin.

Internship Site Supervisors who have reviewed your materials and think you'd be a good intern for their agency or office will call you to schedule a telephone interview. It is vital that you RESEARCH each employer BEFORE the interview. Be as prepared and as professional as you would be for an in-office job interview. Arrange the interview during private time in a place where you know you have a good connection and will not be disturbed.

Employers want to know:

What are your goals for the internship?

Do you want to learn? Are you willing to work hard?

Will you fit in? Many of these offices are small, and you will be working with a team of professionals who spend all day together. Making sure your personality won't clash with theirs is a big part of the seeing if you fit in. So, be yourself!

Then...ASK QUESTIONS! Have them ready, take notes. Show that you have done your homework, ask about specific projects you may be assigned, or what a typical day may be like. The TWC site has a sample of possible questions, start there but also come up with your own.

Accepting and Declining Offers

Do not feel like you have to accept the first offer that comes along, or that you have to say "yes" or "no" on the spot. Graciously thank the person for the offer, and ask for some time to discuss it with family or your advisor. Employers usually expect this and want you to make a good decision. Don't worry about declining an offer if it's not a good fit or not what you want. A week is usually about the most time they can wait for an answer, but every office is unique.

Register

Your UNH TWC Liaison will hold a meeting with all outgoing students to go over paperwork and get you registered for SCSC 682.01: Washington Internship and your one independent study course, for 4 credits. We will also complete Financial Aid paperwork, and other expectations at this time.

Get There!

TWC has set times for check-in and orientation. It's your job to arrange transportation so that you can participate in these required activites. Washington DC is very easy to navigate using public transportation.

Do NOT expect to get typical academic holidays off, and certainly there is no "spring break" in the professional world. Assume you are to be there full-time, every week for the entire length of your internship.

While you are in DC, remember that you always have safety nets:

Your TWC Program Advisor

Your Internship Site Supervisor

Your TWC Faculty Member

TWC Student Life staff

And, your UNH TWC Liaison

If you have any problems or concerns, bring them to the appropriate person in a timely fashion!

Stay in touch with UNH

Paula M. DiNardo, Coordinator

National Student Exchange & Washington Center Internships

106 Hood House

(603) 862-3485

e-mail: paula.dinardo@unh.edu
updated: 11.16.2009

Applications, view books, cost sheets, and other materials are available from the
UNH Washington Center Liaison.
All applications and accompanying documents must be reviewed AND approved by the
UNH Liaison prior to submission to the Washington Center.
On-line applications will not be approved without prior review of all materials by the UNH Liaison.

Return to TWC at UNH

The Washington Center Internship Program
How the TWC Placement Process Works Once you have been officially accepted by TWC, here's what you can expect. Please keep in mind that most placement interviews take place 3-6 weeks prior to the start of the internship. If you applied during the early or competitive ranges, there could be a long wait until your placement process begins, which your security clearance is being obtained. As you wait, you can monitor your progress on TWC's website, complete housing forms, and select your TWC class.
Your Program Advisor	As part of our acceptance, you will be assigned to one of the TWC Programs (most UNH students have received their first choice). This will come with a Program Advisor, and this person becomes your contact at TWC. Program Advisors act as your agent, sending your materials around to offices and agencies that would be a good fit. Please keep this person informed of any changes to your plans, or requests that you may have. You will be working closely with him or her during your entire TWC experience.
Your TWC Account	Once you are officially accepted, you will be sent a TWC username & password so that you can go into another section of the TWC website and monitor your account. You can see exactly what agencies your Program Advisor is sending your application materials to. Monitor this regularly!
The Phone Interview	Actual placements don't really start happening until 1-2 months before you are scheduled to arrive in Washington DC. Even if you applied for the earliest of deadlines, do not expect anyone to start contacting you until about 6-8 weeks before you begin. Internship Site Supervisors who have reviewed your materials and think you'd be a good intern for their agency or office will call you to schedule a telephone interview. It is vital that you RESEARCH each employer BEFORE the interview. Be as prepared and as professional as you would be for an in-office job interview. Arrange the interview during private time in a place where you know you have a good connection and will not be disturbed. Employers want to know: What are your goals for the internship? Do you want to learn? Are you willing to work hard? Will you fit in? Many of these offices are small, and you will be working with a team of professionals who spend all day together. Making sure your personality won't clash with theirs is a big part of the seeing if you fit in. So, be yourself! Then...ASK QUESTIONS! Have them ready, take notes. Show that you have done your homework, ask about specific projects you may be assigned, or what a typical day may be like. The TWC site has a sample of possible questions, start there but also come up with your own.
Accepting and Declining Offers	Do not feel like you have to accept the first offer that comes along, or that you have to say "yes" or "no" on the spot. Graciously thank the person for the offer, and ask for some time to discuss it with family or your advisor. Employers usually expect this and want you to make a good decision. Don't worry about declining an offer if it's not a good fit or not what you want. A week is usually about the most time they can wait for an answer, but every office is unique.
Register	Your UNH TWC Liaison will hold a meeting with all outgoing students to go over paperwork and get you registered for SCSC 682.01: Washington Internship and your one independent study course, for 4 credits. We will also complete Financial Aid paperwork, and other expectations at this time.
Get There!	TWC has set times for check-in and orientation. It's your job to arrange transportation so that you can participate in these required activites. Washington DC is very easy to navigate using public transportation. Do NOT expect to get typical academic holidays off, and certainly there is no "spring break" in the professional world. Assume you are to be there full-time, every week for the entire length of your internship. While you are in DC, remember that you always have safety nets: Your TWC Program Advisor Your Internship Site Supervisor Your TWC Faculty Member TWC Student Life staff And, your UNH TWC Liaison If you have any problems or concerns, bring them to the appropriate person in a timely fashion!
Stay in touch with UNH	Paula M. DiNardo, Coordinator National Student Exchange & Washington Center Internships 106 Hood House (603) 862-3485 e-mail: paula.dinardo@unh.edu updated: 11.16.2009 Applications, view books, cost sheets, and other materials are available from the UNH Washington Center Liaison. All applications and accompanying documents must be reviewed AND approved by the UNH Liaison prior to submission to the Washington Center. On-line applications will not be approved without prior review of all materials by the UNH Liaison. Return to TWC at UNH