In the past few years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of
Muslim American undergraduates and graduate students performing internships
and fellowships in various Congressional Offices and Committees in
Washington, D.C.. The Congressional Muslim Staffers Association (CMSA)
encourages Muslim American students to apply for Congressional Internships
and Fellowships, particularly during the summer session. Although the CMSA does
not provide internship/fellowship opportunities, nor have any formal role in
securing placements in various offices, the Association seeks to quickly
identify Muslims who secure an Office or Committee placement. During their
time in Congress, Interns and Fellows are granted full access and
participation in all CMSA programs. During the summer months, CMSA
coordinates mentoring and social programming specifically geared for
enhancing Muslim Interns’ and Fellows’ public affairs skills and networks.
*WHY SHOULD YOUNG MUSLIM AMERICANS PARTICIPATE IN CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS?
*
· It is part of the Islamic faith and Muslim tradition for believers
to play an active role in their community, to work towards maintaining the
wellbeing of their community, and to positively engaging and consult with
the diverse members and leaders of their community
· Washington, D.C., is our nation’s Capitol and an exciting city to
explore, one of the best places to learn about our nation’s history, and is
filled with great summer activities
· Work with and build a lasting relationship with your Congressional
Representatives and their staff
· Learn firsthand the legislative process and related politics of
Congress
· Meeting the need of Members of Congress and their staff to
interact with Muslim American constituents and learning more about Muslim
American social, political, and economic concerns
· Opportunities to meet the two Muslim American Members of Congress,
the Hon. Keith Ellison (MN) and Hon. Andre Carson (IN)
· Be a part of an established and growing community of Muslim
American professionals who work in Federal Government
· Participate in Congressional Muslim Staffers Association social
events, professional networking, and attend the weekly Capitol Hill Jummah
prayer
· An opportunity to network with and learn from hundreds of other
summer interns in Washington, DC, who are committed to community service and
public affairs careers
· Opportunities to learn about and network with the leaders of the
various Muslim American advocacy organizations, media groups, and think
tanks in Washington, D.C.
· Internship experience looks great on a resume when applying for
graduate school or future employment
*WHO TO INTERN FOR / WHERE TO SEND AN APPLIATION*
· There are four common ways to apply for Congressional Internships
in Washington, DC. It is allowed for students to simultaneously submit
applications for each option.
o Apply for placement with the two (2) Senators who represent your home
state (the state you grew up in or where your parents live)
o Apply for placement with the Member of Congress (House of
Representatives) who represents your home Congressional District
o Apply for placement with the Member of Congress who represents the
Congressional District your University/College is located in
o Apply for placement in the Senate or House Committee that covers a
specific policy issue you are interested in
· There is no central processing center for Congressional Internship
applications. Applicants send their materials directly to each office, to
the notice of the Intern/Fellowship Coordinator.
*APPLYING FOR CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS*
· Students can apply any time of the year for Congressional
Internships. Placements are available for fall, winter, spring, and summer
sessions.
· For Summer Internships, applications should be submitted no later
than April 1st. It’s preferable that applications be submitted as early as
February 1st… the earlier the better!!!
· Internships usually last for 8 to 12 weeks. Summer Interns can
begin their programs as early as mid-May and most end no later than
mid-August.
· Application materials usually consist of:
o Cover Letter
o Resume
o Contact your Senators and Representatives office and speak with the
“Intern Coordinator” to learn if other materials need to be submitted.
§ Visit your university’s Career/Internship Placement Center and ask to
review samples of Congressional Internship cover letters and resumes.
§ Have a school counselor, Chaplain, or “English Major” friend to proof
read and review the content of your materials before submitting them!
*LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR CONGESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND CMSA*
· *Members of Congress:*
o *U.S. House of
Representatives*<http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml>
o *U.S. Senate*<http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm>
· *Congressional Muslim Staffers Association:*
o *CMSA Website* <http://congressionalmuslims.org/>
o *CMSA Facebook*<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6241426924&ref=ts>
o *Twitter **@MuslimStaffers* <http://twitter.com/muslimstaffers>
o *One Nation Article*<http://www.onenationforall.org/content/view/438/102/>
*PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ROOM, BOARD, AND NETWORKING for Congressional Interns
*
· *DC Based Fellowship Programs:* These programs cater particularly
to Muslim Americans seeking summer internships in Washington, D.C.
o *Muslim Public Affairs Network
(MPSN)*<http://www.muslimpublicservice.org/>:
This program’s application is separate from the application for
Congressional placement. For consideration, you must submit two separate
applications: one to MPSN and one to a Congressional Office. Acceptance into
the MPSN fellowship program is contingent upon you securing an internship in
Congress or any other DC-based public affairs organization.
o *Center for Global Understanding
(CFGU)*<http://centerforglobalunderstanding.org/Washington_Internship.php>:
A Partnership with The Washington Center. TWC will find you placement in a
Congressional Office or other DC based internship you have interest in as
part of the CFGU Fellowship.
· *Congressional Based Internships: *The following organizations
provide placement in a Congressional Office as part of their summer program.
They usually try to place you in an office of a Member of Congress from your
state and/or close to your home district. It is still recommend that
students apply directly to Offices just in case they are not selected by
these organizations for their summer program.
o *Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies
(APAICS)*<http://www.apaics.org/pages/programs.php>
o *Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
(CBCF)*<http://www.cbcfinc.org/programs/leadership-development/90.html>
o *Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
(CHCI)*<http://www.chci.org/internships/>
o *The Washington Center (TWC)* <http://www.twc.edu/>* – *For pay service
*WHAT TO DO WHEN AN INTERNSHIP HAS BEEN SECURED*
Muslim American students who secure summer internships/fellowships with
their Representative or Senator Office or Committee should contact the
Congressional Muslim Staffers Association by mid-May. By notifying the CMSA,
the Association will be able to add interns to the internal email listserve
that notifies them of events and programs. Interns should send their name,
contact info, arrival date and the office they will be interning with to
Congressional.Muslims@gmail.com.
As-Salaamu-Alaykum,
*
**Congressional Muslim Staffers Association*
*United States Congress*
www.CongressionalMuslims.org
Congressional.Muslims@gmail.com
*
Follow the latest CMSA events and news on Twitter @MuslimStaffers!*
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