Hey all,
I am a potential upcoming freshman at Emory University at Oxford and wish to know a little more on the Political Science program offered. To put things into consideration, I am currently debating between attending Emory University at Oxford (free) and George Washington University (4k cost). I am definitely excited about the possibility to study Political Science at Emory, considering the excellence of their faculty (from my research).
My major inquiry is on the availability of politically-oriented internship opportunities in the Emory area. The one stark contrast in George Washington and Emory, in my mind, is the access to internships between DC and Atlanta. I know the abundance of DC internships can never truly be matched for the field of study, but I would like it to be challenged. In my mind, especially in the field of Political Science, getting âout thereâ in the field is truly important, which is why I want to be sure that such opportunities are plentiful.
In addition, does anyone have any general comments on the degree itself that would be useful for a potential student (its strength, networking opportunities, degree flexibility, etc)? I am trying to get a better âfeelâ for the program.
Thank you all for your time and your (potential) response.
@Om3ga48 : Atlanta has many consulates and also has many other âpolitical oppurtunitiesâ including those in and created through the Carter Center. Atlanta is not DC, but it is still Atlanta, so has a lot to offer in regards to that (just think about the placeâs history, now, and its future with racial dynamics, health policy urban development, a whole assortment of issues that a place like Atlanta would be amazing for studying). Also, be open minded about the fact that you need not get stereotypical internships associated with national politics and things of that nature. Politics and political science encompass and interact with so many things that will excite employers and graduate schools a lot.
Again, keep an open mind with the kind of internships you consider as âpolitical scienceâ internships.
@Om3ga48
It matters to some extent whether youâre from Georgia and how you see your political career.
If youâre from Georgia and plan on being an elected official, then spending the next four years in Georgia networking with local and state political leaders makes a lot of sense for you. That would help develop your political foundation so that one day you can run for elected office yourself in a state where you grew up and went to college.
Further, keep in mind that Atlanta is a large city with a substantial mayorâs office and city council.
Further, Atlanta is also the capital of Georgia. The Georgia governorâs office is located in Atlanta as well as the Georgia state legislature. There are undoubtedly internships associated with with these offices.
To give one example, the Georgia govenorâs office (located in Atlanta) has a formal internship program.
https://gov.georgia.gov/intern-program
The Georgia legislature (located in Atlanta) has an internship program has a formal internship program:
http://www.senate.ga.gov/en-US/SenateInternProgram.aspx
The city of Atlanta offers a public service internship
http://www.welcomingatlanta.com/jointheteam/internships/
The Carter Center offers internships:
https://www.cartercenter.org/about/careers/
Renown US Congressman John Lewis has an Atlanta office in addition to an office in Washington, DC:
https://johnlewis.house.gov/contact/offices/atlanta-office
US Senator David Perdue offers internships in both Atlanta and Washington, DC
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/services/internships
US Senator Johnny Isakson offers internships in both Atlanta and Washington, DC
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/services/internships
And so on.
If you plan to spend a lot of time doing externships, then itâs probably best that you have your own vehicle.
@BiffBrown Just wanted to clarify one thing, which is that I am an OOS student from Florida, but your answer, combined with the previous, qualms a lot of my concerns regarding internships within the degree field. Thank you so much for providing your input!
@Om3ga48
Youâre welcome.
Keep in mind that if you accept Oxford College of Emoryâs offer, youâll spend your first two years on the Oxford campus, which is close to the small towns of Oxford and Covington, Georgia. Oxfordâs campus is about an hour away from the Atlanta campus of Emory University (otherwise known as Emory College) and there are free shuttle buses connecting the two especially on the weekends. Your last two years at Emory University will be on the Atlanta campus.
If you had your own car, the commute to Atlanta would be easier and I can imagine a situation where your class schedule is free on Fridays so you can intern one full day a week in Atlanta somewhere.
Because of the small student body and the absence of juniors and seniors in the Oxford student body (who move on to Emory college, Emoryâs Goizueta Business School, or Emoryâs Nursing School), Oxford gives you a great chance to be a part of Oxfordâs student government or to take on some other substantial leadership responsibilities, including starting your own club, during your two years there.
@Om3ga48 : Again, keep an open mind and know that âpoliticalâ internships need not be associated with a congressperson, governor, or president/former president. In fact, sometimes it may be better to develop a passion and turn it into an expertise (that could come in handy if you want to be affiliated with a government office or help run a campaign) through other venues and internships. There is a reason that QTM majors at Emory can get jobs at think tanks and other types of politically oriented jobs and firms. They know math and have taken internships while at Emory that allowed them to employ their knowledge and gain an expertise that makes them useful regardless of whether they were associated with a government office.
Just do whatever you need to in order to âmake yourself usefulâ in that arena. There are many non-stereotypical ways to do that that may make you stand out from the crowd of others applying for certain positions in the end.
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