Spring 2010 Potential Internship Sites

Spring 2010 Theme

International Politics in Economic Hard Times, taught by Professor T.J. Cheng, Government

Internship Suggestions

There are a variety of internship options you might pursue in conjunction with the Spring 2010 semester's theme. Please see the list below for suggestions. This list is by no means meant to be exhaustive, but to provide you with some ideas of the kinds of opportunities available. Please research all organizations that interest you.

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I. Think Tanks

• American Enterprise Institute
• Aspen Institute - Begun in 1981, the Program on the World Economy has the ongoing goal of promoting sustainable economic growth and financial stability in the world economy. The Program convenes each summer a group of prominent leaders with the aim of advancing pragmatic solutions to major global economic and financial challenges and of advancing cooperation and coordination on key issues
• Atlantic Council - The Atlantic Council of the United States promotes constructive U.S. leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic community in meeting the international challenges of the 21st century.
• The Brookings Institutions
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• CATO Institute - A libertarian thinktank that certainly has lots to say about the GFC and various nations' responses to it; has a good working relationship with George Mason University which is in its proximity.
• Center for Strategic and International Studies - Greater economic integration and interdependence have the potential to harmonize interests, increase wealth, and reduce conflict. Addressing these challenges requires new ideas, new economic mechanisms, new institutions, and a new way of thinking about a globalized economy and its relationship to security.
  The Simon Chair in Political Economy conducts research on trade and overall economic policy issues in the Western Hemisphere.
  • The Scholl Chair in International Business focuses on the role of international business in enhancing economic growth.
  • Economic integration is analyzed as part of the Seven Revolutions project.
• Council on Foreign Relations, DC Office
• Council on Hemispheric Affairs
• East-West Center's DC Office
• Economic Strategy Institute - The Economic Strategy Institute (ESI) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan public policy research organization dedicated to assuring that globalization works with market forces to achieve maximum benefits rather than distorting markets, and imposing costs. This should be achieved on the basis of principles, policies, and institutions consistent with democratic values.
• Economic Policy Institute - The Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit Washington D.C. think tank, was created in 1986 to broaden the discussion about economic policy to include the interests of low- and middle-income workers. Today, with global competition expanding, wage inequality rising, and the methods and nature of work changing in fundamental ways, it is as crucial as ever that people who work for a living have a voice in the economic discourse.
• The Fraser Institute - A leading think tank known for its measurement of economic freedom of the world, and its studies on Canada's public (especially economic) policies; it has offices in Montreal and Toronto, but not in DC; students with any affiliation with Canada and an interest in the G.M.-Chrysler bailout may want to look into its program. Note that Chrysler assembled a lot of cars in Canada, more so than in Detroit.
• The Heritage Foundation - The Heritage Foundation's economic freedom index and databases are widely used in the field; also extremely active in policy deliberation.
• Hudson Institute - Hudson Institute challenges conventional thinking and helps manage strategic transitions to the future through interdisciplinary and collaborative studies in defense, international relations, economics, culture, science, technology, and law. Through publications, conferences and policy recommendations, we seek to guide global leaders in government and business.
• Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies- The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is one of the nation's premier research and public policy institutions and the only one whose work focuses exclusively on issues of particular concern to African Americans and other people of color. For over three decades, our research and information programs have informed and influenced public opinion and national policy to benefit not only African Americans, but every American.
• Peterson Institute for International Economics - The Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution devoted to the study of international economic policy. Since 1981 the Institute has provided timely and objective analysis of, and concrete solutions to, a wide range of international economic problems. It is one of the very few economics think tanks that are widely regarded as "nonpartisan" by the press and "neutral" by the US Congress, and it is cited by the quality media more than any other such institution.
• Progressive Policy Institute - PPI's mission is to define and promote a new progressive politics for America in the 21st century. Through its research, policies, and perspectives, the Institute is fashioning a new governing philosophy and an agenda for public innovation geared to the Information Age.
• Nixon Center - Very interested in China-related topics
• Resources for the Future - RFF is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that conducts independent research - rooted primarily in economics and other social sciences - on environmental, energy, natural resource and public health issues.
• Open Society Institute - A good place for students interested in East and Central European economies.
• Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

II. Intergovernmental organizations

• Asian Development Bank
• The European Union Delegation Office in the U.S.
• Inter-American Development Bank
• The International Monetary Fund
• The UN Office in Washington
• The World Bank

III. US Government

• Congressional Research Service
• Department of Commerce
• US International Trade Administration - The International Trade Administration (ITA) is charged with the mission of strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, of promoting trade and investment, and of ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements.
• Department of State
• Embassy of Spain - The Cultural Affairs Office of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC will accept up to two William & Mary rising juniors, seniors or recent graduates as interns during the Spring of 2010 when Spain occupies the rotating presidency of the European Union. Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Consejero Cultural and in collaboration with his staff. Applicants must demonstrate superior command of Spanish; a professional demeanor; an ability to work well with others; and commitment to the full range of cultural diversity represented by Spanish culture.
• Export-Import Bank of the United States - The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets. Ex-Im Bank enables U.S. companies - large and small - to turn export opportunities into real sales that help to maintain and create U.S. jobs and contribute to a stronger national economy.
• Millennium Challenge Corporation
• Treasury Department
• US Agency for International Development - USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Our Work supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting: economic growth, agriculture and trade; global health; and democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.
• U.S.-China Economic and Security Commission
• U.S. House Financial Services Committee
• US International Trade Commission - An independent federal agency determining import injury to U.S. industries in antidumping, countervailing duty, and global and China safeguard investigations; directing actions against unfair trade practices involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement; supporting policymakers through economic analysis and research on the global competitiveness of U.S. industries.
• U.S. Senate Banking Committee
• U.S. Trade Representative Office
• The White House

IV. Quasi-governmental organizations

• Fannie Mae
• Freddie Mac

V. Private organizations, advocacy groups, etc.

• Booz Allen Hamilton
• A.T. Kearney - A consulting firm as famous as Booz Allen, and very well-known for its globalization index; headquartered in Chicago, but with an office in DC.
• International Republican Institute
• National Democratic Institute
• Partners for Development
• IREX - IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media and foster pluralistic civil society development.
• Chemonics - Chemonics is an international development consulting firm that promotes meaningful change to help people live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives. Around the world, we design and implement projects in financial services, private sector development, health, environmental management, gender, crisis prevention and recovery, democracy and governance and agriculture.