Internships

Students are not limited to any specific organizations for their internship. 

The Michigan in Washington program maintains an extensive database of internship providers, though many students find internships through their own research or personal connections. Students are advised on internship search strategies during the Prep Course and are encouraged to consider various options (approximately 10-20). As part of this process, students learn to conduct phone interviews and manage the process of multiple offers and appropriate acceptance and notification. U of M students in this program have an excellent reputation with Washington organizations and are in great demand. The U of M alumni club in Washington is active in assisting students secure internships and professional connections.    

It can take from two to six months to find an internship.

It depends on whether you apply for early admission, which provides students with considerable lead time to research internship organizations and contact MIW alums who have worked in those organizations about their experience. Early admission also allows students to manage housing arrangements (i.e., find sublets or month-to-month leases). Internships at the CIA, FBI, and DOJ require six months for security clearance (and, therefore, early admission to the program).  

Winter-term students admitted to the program in October have only two months to find an internship. Fall-term students admitted in March have approximately five months (because of the summer) to find their internships. However, many organizations in Washington do not consider fall internship applicants until late August because they are busy managing the large volume of students who come in the summer for internship experiences.    

Everyone finds an internship!

Every student admitted to the program asks this question. And every student is always placed in an internship. Once a student is admitted to MIW, they are placed in an email group with other students in their cohort, where they receive regular notices from MIW staff about internships advertised to MIW. Students receive in-depth coaching on search strategies in the Prep Class. The MIW community is active in supporting students in their internship searches.   

Occasionally, a student will arrive in DC without an internship offer. The Program Manager will work closely with the student on placement. Students don't always get their first-choice internships, but most report overall satisfaction with the experience. 

Students receive two credits for internships, which are generally unpaid. 

Some of the internships are paid; these tend to be in the science and technology fields. Others offer Metro passes or meals. Students are encouraged to take the best internships for their research or field of study rather than an internship that pays to defer program costs. Scholarships are available based on need, and all students receive a stipend to cover additional living costs in Washington.  

The FBI, CIA, DOS, and DOJ require six months for security

Students interested in the MIW Program who want to intern in these organizations are advised to apply for early admission.  

No, but the PSIP Program Does.

Students interested in summer internships should look at the Public Service Internship Program (PSIP) the Student Career Center offers.  Many Michigan in Washington students have done PSIP internships either before their semester in Washington or as a way of returning to DC after they complete the MIW program.