Students kickstart careers with Washington Semester

For more than 25 years, JMU’s Washington Semester Program has hosted students in the nation’s capital. Students take classes and complete internships, some exploring think tanks and marketing companies while others work in the offices of Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner or with the Marshall Legacy Institute.

The program focuses on the U.S. government in the fall and global affairs in the spring. Faculty within Political Science, including Dr. Edward Yang (Director) and Dr. David Jones (internship coordinator and former program director) guide students with support from Dr. Manal Jamal and JMU alum Patrick Shea.

The Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area is a hub of JMU alumni, which means “always having Dukes around who are capable, authentic, and down to earth,” emphasized Yang.

Most participants complete the experience during their junior or senior year, which in turn helps ease the transition between undergraduate life and entering the workforce.

“By the end they have accomplished something that is important, unique and valuable,” says Yang. “It helps them to build confidence to move forward to complete the rest of their career at JMU and really go out there.”

“At a time when Work-Based Learning Experiences are considered particularly important, the Washington Semester program prepares students to build a professional network and cultivate professional skills and strengths prior to graduation,” says Kerry Crawford, head of the Political Science department.

These internships help participants refine their future career goals. Amelia Hill (‘27) went into the program with an interest in political campaigns, “but I left fascinated by D.C.’s transportation system and now want to pursue transportation and urban planning policy, instead,” she says.

“It truly kickstarts your career in the best way possible,” adds Hill. Many D.C.-based alumni offer professional development opportunities, workplace tours, and guest lectures for students.

“Alumni networking experience gives students resources to get valuable advice they won’t get elsewhere,” says Yang. “Once students become professionals, they become part of the network and give advice to other Dukes.”