ATAA - TUSIAD Summer Internship Program (ATSIP) In Washington, DC
ATAA (Assembly of Turkish American Associations), and TUSIAD (Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association) are launching an 8-week internship program for students and recent college graduates, during June and July of 2003, to work at the offices of U.S. Congress members, and the offices of ATAA in Washington DC. In addition, there will be guidance for internship opportunities at such Washington DC think tanks as Washington Institute (WINEP).

There will be four kinds of internships for which applicants would be considered: 1) Internships at Congressional offices sponsored by ATAA. 2) Internships at Congressional offices sponsored by TUSIAD. 3) Internships at ATAA offices. 4) Internships at Washington think tanks.

ATAA and TUSIAD will do their best to secure as many internships as possible on the Hill. However, the exact number of available internships will only be determined by early summer. The interested applicants are also highly encouraged to contact the offices of their representatives in Congress in order to secure an internship position.

This internship program aims to provide an opportunity for Turkish-American students to live and work in Washington DC, and become exposed to U.S. government bodies, and policy-making process. ATAA and TUSIAD, through this program, intend to contribute to the preparation of future Turkish-American political leaders, and enhance the participation of Turkish-American community in the U.S. legislative mechanisms.

ATSIP will provide opportunities for prospective interns to meet with House and Senate members and engage in a dialogue on matters important to Turkish-American relations. The interns will also be expected to convene on a weekly basis, and exchange ideas and experiences during their stay in Washington D.C. There will additionally be a closing conference open to public and the media, where the interns will be expected to present a short paper on their internship experience, an issue relating to Turkish-American relations, or social and cultural issues of Turkish-Americans in the United States. Often successful interns receive job offers from their respective offices, and create future opportunities for themselves.

During this eight-week period, the ATSIP participants will have the opportunity to attend social and cultural activities, such as sightseeing tours, covering Washington D.C. monuments and museums, as well as open-air music and dance performances.

Intern responsibilities in a congressional office include monitoring congressional hearings, data entry, answering constituent mail, researching legislative issues, and general office duties (e.g., answering telephone, greeting visitors).

The preliminary requirements for applications are:

1-Being an American citizen of Turkish decent,
2-Relevant educational background, and maturity,
3-Excellent communicational and writing skills,
4-Past interest and experience in community and public service.

The applications are available through ATAA website: www.ataa.org, and to be received at ATAA offices by December 15, 2002.

TUSIAD Internships: TUSIAD will solely sponsor up to three internships secured at Congressional offices for the months of June and July 2003. TUSIAD-sponsored internships will entail a monthly stipend of $750.00/per intern for a period of two months. No other costs will be covered by TUSIAD.

ATAA Internships: Internships at ATAA offices will entail a regular eight-hour work a day. There is no salary involved, however both for ATAA office internships and for ATAA sponsored Congressional internships, ATAA will provide round trip airfare, and housing for all participants at ATAA guest housing, and with Turkish American families, and at university dormitories in Washington D.C.

Other Internships at DC Think Tanks: Such internships will entail eight-hour work days. These interns will be offered a monthly stipend of $400.00, and housing through Turkish American families, and universities in Washington D.C.

The placement of interns at various offices will be decided by the ATSIP Committee and applicants will be informed of the details their specific appointments by May of 2003.

For further information, you may contact:

Ercument KILIC
President-elect, ATAA
Chairman, ATSIP
preselec@ataa.org
(202)483-9090