Students interested in politics
have a new opportunity to gain
real-life experience in the field
with the institution of an internship
program beginning in the
spring semester.
The internship is sponsored by
the social science department and
was created in part by Social Science
Professor Mitch Bunkin.
Bunkin says he has been dreaming
of creating this opportunity
for some time.
“I’ve always wanted my students
to be granted another opportunity
to get involved with the different
areas of the political world
that aren’t available at the collegelevel
classroom,” said Bunkin.
According to Bunkin, the internship
will accept as many students
as are interested each semester
assuming that they are willing to
follow the guidelines and put in
their fair share of work.
What this means for students is,
an interest in the field of political
science, a reasonable GPA and a
demonstration of responsibility.
“The last thing I want to do is saddle
someone in an intense election
campaign with someone who is
irresponsible,” said Bunkin. “The
political internship course is open
to anyone interested in getting
experience working for an elected
official or for a candidate for elected
political office.”
Although no politicians have
jumped on board as of yet, Bunking
said this isn’t a problem at all.
“Politicians are always willing to
accept the help of interested parties.”
Astudent could be assigned, or
name their own elected official or
candidate, whether in PA State
Assembly, House or a campaign.
The internship will then be organized
through the social science
department with that politician’s
office.
Other responsibilities throughout
the internship, aside from
working with a politician, include
keeping a detailed journal and
meeting with their sponsored professor
once a month to go over it.
“The host official or candidate
will be asked to rotate the student
intern through a variety of tasks,”
said Bunkin, “and to furnish an
evaluation of the student-intern’s
performance.
As far as work-load responsibilities,
it’s up to the politician.
“I’d like to see a student
involved in many aspects of what
it feels like to be in a political office
or campaign,” said Bunkin. “From
making phone calls to printing letters
or accompanying [a politician]
on speeches, fundraisers or
photo ops; what we’re going to
make sure is that the participant
won’t be doing the same thing
every day.”
The benefits of this internship
are extensive when it comes to networking
skills. Bunkin said, “Alot
of well-known people got their
start [in politics] this way. Politics
is a skill best learned through
apprenticeship.”
The behind-the-scenes look at
our government will add sophistication
to a student’s resume as well
as give students more of an understanding
of the complicated and
challenging job of being a politician.
“These are the kinds of people
you need to know to get advice
and help [in the field],” said
Bunkin. “You’ll see just how easy
it is to become powerful; plenty of
doors you can walk right through
[with this kind of opportunity.]”
Interested students should contact
Mitch Bunkin at extension 207
or John Petito, social science
department head, at extension 301
or (215) 968-8272.