This flexibility allows students to stay on track with academic requirements at their home campus. These are not typical tourist attractions. SIW students visit CNN, take part in forums at the National Press Club, attend Capitol Hill staff briefings, tour media consulting firms, and visit the White House Communications Office. The ability to cultivate professional relationships is an essential skill in politics and one that the GW Semester in Washington students are encouraged to master early in their careers. Professors and visiting lecturers offer the first step in building a network of contacts.
Students get tips on resumes, networking, job searches, and other aspects of career development.
In Washington staff work directly with each SIW in Washington student to identify professional objectives and offer extensive resources to assist students in securing rewarding internships. While the program does not require an internship, many students are interested in that type of Washington experience, and SIW will help students make it a worthwhile experience. United Nations Foundation White House Travel Office White House Press Office White House Internship Office White House Office of Domestic Policy White House, Office of the Vice President YWCA Interns can choose to intern on Capitol Hill, in the White House, at associations or lobbying firms, public interest organizations, public opinion research organizations, media consulting firms, and news organizations. Students may intern for academic credit, or occasionally for pay, and some students intern just for the valuable professional experience. This will be determined by the organization hosting the internship and the student's preference.