<p>This might be kind of an odd question, but is it possible to participate in a summer internship program immediately after my first year at Smith? Or do they set limitations (for example, you must be at least a junior to intern, etc.)? Thanks for the replies :)</p>
<p>You can look for internship oppurtunities at any point in your college career, but you cannot use Praxis money unless you've finished your sophomore or junior year.</p>
<p>Otoh, if you're lucky and your interests align, you can get two internships out of Smith. They have the Picker Washington D.C. program for Gov majors and another D.C. program connected to the Smithsonian Museums that are open to other majors (the student I knew who did the latter was an American Studies major). Note that these are Summer/Fall internships that involve research and give academic credit as well. </p>
<p>It's possible to do one of those (and get some pay) after your sophomore year and then to use the Praxis money the summer after your junior year for a summer-only internship. </p>
<p>Note: while the Picker program(s) give you $2,000 towards D.C., I truly hope they make significant adjustments in financial aid. The $2K is a drop in the bucket when you consider not only nailing down housing--I envy the UC programs that have their own dedicated housing in D.C., with Smith you have to arrange your own, though some alums are helpful--but there is also, for many students, the cost of suitable clothing to consider: blazers, skirts, hose, appropriate shoes (closed at both heel and toe), business-caliber tops, etc. Yowch.</p>
<p>I know this is getting off the topic of internships, but having done picker, one thing to consider is what happens if you get a paid summer job. i did, and it had never happened before. they ended up lowering the aid i got from the college (but it was still worth it to have a paid job). I also know a few people who worked while in DC--one Picker worked a couple evenings a week at an ice cream store, and I found a great babysitting job on hillzoo.com (other places to look for DC babysitting jobs: alumnae club, and through houses of worship if you attend them regularly)</p>
<p>also, it's important to talk with Fin Aid ASAP if you decide to do picker, as they may be able to adjust your budget for the extra costs of housing, food, transportation, lost work-study opportunities, etc. while in DC. It may end up just being extra loans, but who knows--some people might end up with extra grants.</p>
<p>also, i'm really glad that they DON'T have dedicated housing for Pickers. It was stressful to find a place to live, but it was great practice for life after graduation. Plus, people were able to get living situations that suited their needs--closer to their jobs, in neighborhoods they liked, at prices they could deal with, with family or significant others, etc. I ended up sharing a studio with another picker--a situation that could have been a nightmare but ended up amazing. she's one of my best friends even today, and I don't think that would have happened if we hadn't lived together as just the two of us.</p>
<p>Yes, you can definitley do internships after your first year. It's true that for programs like Picker and Praxis you have to wait a bit, but those are far from the only opportunities. Usually though, securing an internship is all on your own intiative. Smith and the CDO can help of course, but you have to go there and seek out what you need, or do your own research. I just finished my first year and am currently doing a summer internship with a US congressman in my area. It's great because I only intern a couple days a week, which leaves me plenty of time to work as well. And since I'm living at home, my parents are happy cause they get to have me around, and I'm happy cause i don't have to pay for rent or food. For that reason, I would highly reccommend interning in your hometown at least for your first summer.</p>
<p>[[This might be kind of an odd question, but is it possible to participate in a summer internship program immediately after my first year at Smith?]]</p>
<p>There are numerous rising sophomore Smithies doing paid (although probably not enough to cover all expenses) internships in DC and other cities this summer.
Having a full-time internship after your 1st yr. garners invaluable experience, references and connections for future summers.</p>
<p>I also completely agree with Stacy; finding your own housing is a much better option over the UC system. In all likelihood, you can find housing within blocks of your internship, or choose your favorite area of DC to reside. Some Smithies, although doing different internships, arrange to be roommates while in DC. If you can room with a friend some of the stress and anxiety can be eliminated </p>
<p>The Picker Program is not open to /only/ Gov. majors. </p>
<p>Smith junior and senior government majors and to other Smith juniors and seniors with appropriate background in the social sciences</p>
<p><a href="http://www.smith.edu/gov/jeanpicker.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.smith.edu/gov/jeanpicker.html</a></p>
<p>To follow up on S&P, even with the structure of the Picker Program, the student is expected to develop the actual internship on her own. The program provides some points of departure and if you <em>really</em> can't nail one down they will step in but part of the learning process is negotiating with organizations and offices. </p>
<p>My D is interning this Summer/Fall and along the way got some really good advice from some sources and some really bad advice from others. </p>
<p>Stacy, I appreciate the advantages you cite about not having standardized housing but when neither roommate is in a position to visit beforehand and the search and negotiation are going on sight-unseen vis cell phone & FAX, that's a situation that far exceeds the normal "real life" situations. The 5-6 month period is also a bit awkward though if there's one place in the country where it's relatively easy to do that, it's D.C., since there are lots of transient employees and students.</p>
<p>The program provides some points of departure and if you <em>really</em> can't nail one down they will step in but part of the learning process is negotiating with organizations and offices]]</p>
<p>I spent a great deal of time with a Smithie in the Picker Program. The Smith Picker advisor won't write your application but there's a great deal of help.</p>
<p>"The program is directed by a member of the Smith College faculty, who is responsible for selecting the interns and <strong>assisting them in obtaining placement in appropriate offices in Washington</strong>, and directing the independent research project through tutorial sessions"</p>
<p>Many students who have previously done internships are more than able to give a student a very good idea what the housing is like at many of the common dorms, houses, etc. There are also the wonderful digital pictures students take that can be used to assist new students.</p>
<p>You guys are right about Picker, but I was just referring to my own experience getting non-program internships. Hopeful asked about stuff she could do as a rising sophomore, after all, and at that stage, you really mostly have to find stuff on your own. It's not hard to do, but you don't always have the same support system to fall back on like you do with the Junior year intern programs. </p>
<p>My best piece of advice, Hopeful, is to start htinking about what you might like to do as an internship early on. If you have an idea in mind, it makes life a lot easier in the spring when you start to apply. Don't leave your applications until too late or you'll be screwed.</p>
<p>you'll be screwed]]]</p>
<p>LOL--Abtly stated ;)</p>