Bryant seniors complete fall semester internships in Washington, D.C.

The students secured internships through the Washington Center, an educational nonprofit.

During the fall semester, two Bryant students had the chance to hone their skills as interns in Washington, D.C. Merry Le ’08 (Bridgeport, CT) worked for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) while Lauren Martin ’08 (Tyngsboro, MA) interned at the White House.

The pair even had a chance to meet Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed.

The students secured their internships through the Washington Center, an educational nonprofit that selects interns to work for thousands of government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits throughout Washington, D.C.

At the EPA, Le, a marketing concentrator, assisted with internal and external communication strategies, pursued opportunities for climate-change outreach, and built relationships with climate change stakeholders.

“My time in D.C. made me more mature and business savvy,” says Le. “I had the chance to live and work independently before diving into the real world.”

She said she was attracted to the Nation’s Capital because it is a big city outside of her native New England, and it is ripe with political action.

“Washington, D.C., is very historical and yet modern at the same time,” says Le. “I loved being able to meet so many bright young professionals who are passionate about what they do for a living.”

Her advice to current students: An internship of this caliber can open the door for a number of opportunities. “Take advantage of this opportunity to show people your potential and leave a good impression for other interns that will follow you,” says Le.

In August, Le will begin working as a marketing coordinator/analyst for Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a helicopter manufacturer in Stratford, CT. Someday, she would like to run her own marketing consulting business.

Martin, an accounting concentrator with a minor in legal studies, spent the semester interning in the Fellowship Office at the White House. She was responsible for assisting with correspondence, logistics, and answering questions from prospective White House Fellows.

“I was afforded so many fantastic opportunities to meet extraordinary leaders from all over the world,” says Martin.

She had always wanted the chance to work in the White House to immerse herself in the inner workings of government. “Living and working in our nation’s capital offered me a firsthand perspective of how the American government operates,” says Martin. “Everyday there is literally something that you will find only in Washington, D.C. Whether it is a concert, a speech, a reception, or a ceremony, be certain to take advantage of everything.”

Martin is currently in the process of applying to graduate schools for the fall of 2008. She has accepted a positioned to work with the Assurance Division at PricewaterhouseCoopers following the completion of her master’s degree.

Since 1975, the Washington Center has given more than 35,000 students from 1,000 colleges and universities the opportunity to work and study in Washington, D.C.