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Panetta Congressional Internship Program


Panetta Congressional Internship Program LogoAbout the Panetta Institute for Public Policy internship program

Founded in 1997 by Leon Panetta, who served U.S. Secretary of Defense and U.S. Congressman among other posts, and his wife, Sylvia, the Panetta Institute serves the entire California State University system plus several other schools. Under the direction of the Panettas, the Institute provides a variety of study opportunities in government, politics and public policy, and sponsors a range of other programs.
 
The internships’ goal is for students to learn about policy, practice and procedures of the United States Congress. This program is recognized as one of the leading internship courses in the nation.
 
Panetta interns must be junior or senior status during their internship, not yet applied for graduation, have demonstrated commitment to the community and public service, and exhibited superior academic achievement and leadership.
 
For more information, visit the Panetta Institute website.

Political science major learns valuable lessons as Panetta intern on Capitol Hill

Veronica Wilson - 2023 Panetta Intern
Veronica Wilson - 2023 Panetta Intern

Veronica Wilson, a Cal State San Bernardino political science major, was selected by the Panetta Institute for Public Policy to serve in its prestigious congressional internship, where she worked closely with the California congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. 

“This internship meant more to me than I could imagine,” said Wilson, who is on track to graduate in spring 2024. “I learned so much about myself, our government, and the world around me. I was able to make friendships that will last a lifetime and watch the events in our nation play out right before my eyes. Thanks to this internship, I understand our government so much more, and I understand the importance of bipartisanship and working together. If there is one thing I will take away from this internship, is the importance of being selfless and being able to work with others.”

Participants of the three-month internship, which lasted from August to November, are nominated by the president of each California State University campus, Saint Mary’s College of California, Santa Clara University and Dominican University of California. They are then interviewed and selected by the Panetta Institute.

Before working in Washington, D.C., interns first participate in the Panetta Institute’s two-week training program at Cal State Monterey Bay.

“Going into this internship, I had hoped to learn more about how government works. During my first two weeks at the Panetta Institute, I realized that a major issue our government and society faced was a need for bipartisanship,” Wilson said. “Taking that from the institute to Washington, D.C., I wanted to learn more about the lack of bipartisanship and how this affects our government. I gained so much knowledge from interacting with those in the office and the other 24 students around me.”

Following the training program, Panetta interns participate in an 11-week internship program in Washington, D.C., where they attend seminars with government leaders, journalists and policy experts. In addition, the interns may earn up to 20 academic credits.

“I learned so much just from being there on The Hill as an intern,” Wilson said, referring to Capitol Hill, where both houses of Congress meet. “It was so unique and sacred because The Hill is such a powerful place, and to be working on it, even as an intern, you have so much power because you learn so much, and knowledge is power. I looked forward to gaining so much knowledge from those around me and watching every event that conspired on The Hill.”

Wilson was in Washington during critical moments in the nation’s history, as well. “I looked forward to watching our nation's government unfold before my eyes and I witnessed key moments that will go down in our history books,” she recalled. “I had the opportunity to be working when there was the possibility of not one but two government shutdowns; when Hamas attacked Israel in a terrorist attack; when (former House Speaker) McCarthy was ousted; when Rep. Mike Johnson was elected House Speaker; when Rep. Rashida Tlaib was censured; and so much more. It was just a unique opportunity that blew my mind away.”

Wilson is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, Theta Lota Chapter, a society that functions at the national level, sponsoring programs and events of value to the profession and teaching political science at the chapter level. Each chapter is encouraged to provide a framework for enriching the exposure of its members and the wider university community to the study of government and issues of public concern, Wilson said.

After graduating from CSUSB, Wilson plans to attend law school and study criminal law.

“I love the law so much, especially our government’s judicial process. I think it is so exciting, and many criminal law cases are intriguing to me. People get excited over Christmas presents or going to concerts; criminal law is my Christmas day. I cannot express my love for it,” she said.

About the Panetta Institute for Public Policy Internship  
Founded in 1997 by Leon Panetta, who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense and U.S. congressman among other posts, and his wife, Sylvia, the Panetta Institute serves the entire California State University system plus several other schools. Under the direction of the Panettas, the institute provides a variety of study opportunities in government, politics and public policy, and sponsors a range of other programs.

The internships’ goal is for students to learn about policy, practice and procedures of the United States Congress. This year marks the 23rd year of the celebrated program, recognized as one of the leading internship courses in the nation.

Panetta interns must be junior or senior status during their internship, not yet applied for graduation, have demonstrated commitment to community and public service, and exhibited superior academic achievement and leadership.

For more information, visit the Panetta Institute website.

 

Virtual Panetta Institute 2020 Congressional Intern Program

Johnathan Paul Solomon - 2020 Panetta Intern

Johnathan Solomon, a Geography and Global Studies major, was selected by the Panetta Institute for Public Policy to serve in its prestigious congressional internship.

COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by the State and County government led the Panetta Institute to conduct all its 2020 programs online through video conferences or webinars – allowing sponsors, supporters, guests and students to continue to participate remotely and safely. Leon E. Panetta, Chairman of the Panetta Institute, said “While it is unfortunate that the internship experience in Washington D.C. had to be cancelled, we believe it is important for our interns to experience the two-week educational program which is a fundamental and significant part of the Congressional Internship Program experience.” 

This two-week program, featuring renowned national speakers, was designed to maximize the intern’s experience through attending and participating in virtual class sessions. Interns then completed reflective session reviews and submitted a well-researched policy paper. The internships’ goal is for students to learn about policy, practice and procedures of the United States Congress.

Congratulations Johnathan!

 


Political science major chosen for prestigious Panetta internship

Claudia Castaneda - 2020 Panetta Intern
Claudia Castaneda - 2019 Panetta Intern

Claudia Castaneda was selected by the Panetta Institute for Public Policy to serve in its prestigious congressional internship.

Claudia Castaneda, a Cal State San Bernardino political science major, was selected by the Panetta Institute for Public Policy to serve in its prestigious congressional internship, where she worked closely with U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal in Washington, D.C.
 
“I am incredibly honored to have been selected as the 2019 Panetta Congressional Intern for Cal State San Bernardino,” said Castaneda. “I am grateful for the amazing opportunity CSUSB has afforded me as the campus nominee, and I could not imagine being able to have obtained such a prestigious and incredible opportunity without the support and guidance of the hardworking and dedicated faculty and staff in the political science department. I am in awe of their passion and commitment to student success.”
 
Participants of the three-month internship, which took place from August to November, are nominated by the president of each California State University campus, Saint Mary’s College of California, Santa Clara University and Dominican University of California. They are then interviewed and selected by the Panetta Institute.
 
Before working in Washington, D.C., interns first participate in the Panetta Institute’s two-week training program at Cal State Monterrey Bay.
 
While at Monterrey Bay, Castaneda said she enjoyed meeting Leon and Sylvia Panetta, husband and wife who founded the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. She also said she learned more about the United States’ most pressing issues in fiscal, cybersecurity, defense and foreign policy from leading experts in the fields.
 
Following the training program, Panetta interns participated in an 11-week internship program in Washington, D.C., where they attended seminars with government leaders, journalists and policy experts. In addition, the interns earned up to 20 academic credits.
 
“While in Washington, D.C., I worked with congressional staff to address constituent concerns and promote greater advocacy for underrepresented communities,” Castaneda said. “As a Panetta intern, I gained valuable firsthand experience practicing public service and learned how to become a better local and global leader.”
 
Castaneda is a member of the CSUSB Honors Program, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars of CSUSB, and the university’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). She also participated in 2019’s National Model United Nations program in New York City, where the CSUSB team represented the country of Mexico.
 
After graduating from CSUSB, Castaneda plans on applying for the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship, a U.S. Department of State program that prepares young people for careers in international service. She also intends to earn her master’s in national security studies.
 
“During this time, I also plan to study Korean as a fourth language and work as an English Language Teacher (ELT) in South Korea during the summer,” she said. “In the future, I hope to serve as a foreign service officer abroad for the U.S. Department of State.”

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What is Panetta Congressional Internship Program?

<a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OormjeyWSEQ?rel=0&showinfo=0" href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OormjeyWSEQ?rel=0&showinfo=0">Watch CSUSB Student Spotlight – Julie Leyba YouTube Video</a>

The Panetta Institute’s annual Congressional Internship Program, held from August through November, combines a rigorous two-week academic orientation at the Panetta Institute at CSU Monterey Bay, regular seminars in Washington, D.C., and experiential education as a Panetta intern in the Washington, D.C. office of a California member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Upon completion of all requirements, interns will earn up to 20 academic semester units.

All program costs are covered, including academic fees and tuition, food and housing, a modest living stipend, and air and ground transportation.

The Panetta Congressional Internship Program is open to CSUSB undergraduate students who will be enrolled in their junior or senior year during the period of internship. Any academic major may apply and the program is open to qualified students regardless of income.

<a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OormjeyWSEQ?rel=0&showinfo=0" href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OormjeyWSEQ?rel=0&showinfo=0">Watch CSUSB Student Spotlight – Julie Leyba YouTube Video</a>