February 19, 2001
Internships give unique,
worldly experiences
Alexandra Katsikis
is an intern in
The Carter Centers Public Information Office.
The Carter Centers internship program offers a unique opportunity for interns to participate in the projects of world-renowned public policy and non-governmental organizations. Founded in 1982 by President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, the center works with world leaders to promote democracy, resolve conflicts worldwide, protect human rights, eradicate disease and improve agriculture in developing countries. Each department has diverse projects in play around the world at any given time, and students have a substantial role in that work. Interns often research current events, draft policy proposals and write articles for publication. Junior Kirtley Fisher had the invaluable opportunity to travel to Guyana
as a representative of the centers democracy program. I really
got a feel for the political atmosphere in Guyana and met people who I
had only mentioned in my weekly news summaries I wrote for the program,
Fisher said. I was no longer merely stating what a newspaper had
said about the Elections Commission; rather, I was interpreting what the
chairman of the Elections Commission was telling us when we met him. Shabnam Mallick, an intern in the Global 2000 program, studied the impact
of conflicts on public health. Mallick has interned with many organizations
such as the Brookings Institution in Washington and the United Nations
headquarters in New York. However, Shabnam said, None of the above
preparatory experiences exposed me to the cutting edge in conflict resolution
implementation that I found at the Carter Center in the Global 2000 project. While most interns attend Emory, others come from all over the world.
Ranked by Princeton Review as one of the best internships in the nation,
Carter Center interns are given the opportunity to apply what they learn
in the classroom to a real-world experience. Its a win-win situation for students and the Carter Center
alike, said Cynthia Hooks, director of educational programs. The
Carter Center benefits from the innovative and creative ideas that students,
fresh from the classroom, provide. In addition, students are enthusiastic
and eager to give back to society. A major benefit is the quality of research they provide the center,
Hooks continued. They essentially become specialists about an assigned
country, regularly talking with country contacts and following all the
local and international news. In turn, students benefit from working with
former diplomats and distinguished professors, and many interns develop
a close mentor-student relationship that is enriching and instructive. Interns immerse themselves in a rich environment that, for many, lays
the foundation for future goals and careers. Debbie Palmer, a Bobby Jones
Scholar, said, What I am coming away with is a clearer understanding
of my capabilitiesand a clearer vision of what I want to do professionally. Sarah Bush, an intern in the Latin American and Caribbean program, focused
on Nicaragua. She was able to travel there and work closely with the observation
team to gain in-depth knowledge of the countrys political situation.
Bush said her internship experience made her realize the great need for
the work of the Carter Center and deepened her conviction that she wants
to work with NGOs in the future. Internships are open throughout the year to college juniors, seniors,
recent graduates and graduate students. About 100 interns are selected
each year from approximately 250 applicants. Although most interns are
not paid, they can receive academic credit. Applications for the Carter Centers internship program can be downloaded
from the centers website at www.cartercenter.org.
Application deadlines are March 15 for summer internships and June 15
for fall. |