Julia Sikes, a Creative Writing major and Honors Scholar at 糖心Vlog (糖心Vlog), is the university鈥檚 latest participant in the 糖心Vlog Washington program.
The 糖心Vlog Washington program has placed 102 students with a semester-long internship in the nation鈥檚 capital over the past 18 years. Students complete a full-time, entry-level professional internship in their chosen career field, and they participate in various professional development and academic learning experiences as a part of the program.
鈥淚'm working for , and I'm a writing intern,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚鈥檓 writing a series of articles over biodiversity loss.鈥�
Applicants to the program apply for numerous internships, and then select from those organizations who return offers. 鈥淚 was looking for programs that would be helpful for English majors,鈥� Julia said, 鈥渁nd this was the first position I interviewed for. I liked that they were combining my academic field with something that鈥檚 making a difference, like conservation, so when they offered me the position, I took it.鈥�
Julia arrived in Washington, D.C. at the end of May, and her internship runs for just over five weeks before she returns home at the beginning of August.
鈥淚'm in a small organization, so there's only one other intern, but we have different supervisors. We work in the same space, so we're getting to know each other, but we do different tasks. I know exactly what I'm going to be doing for the rest of the semester,鈥� she added, 鈥渟o I already have those goals and timeframes in place, which works really well.鈥�
One of the big draws of the program is the opportunity to network professionally, and one such event that Julia was able to attend was the Hope Away from Home: A Multifaith Celebration on World Refugee Day. The event was held on June 20 and made possible by a partnership between , The Episcopal Church, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and other religious and nonprofit organizations.
In addition to professional networking, the experience also provides ample opportunity to experience the storied nation鈥檚 capital and surrounding city.
鈥淚 really wanted try new experiences and expand my horizons鈥攖hat's been really cool,鈥� she added. 鈥淚've already made some good friends, and we've visited a couple places across D.C. together. It鈥檚 fascinating to see the difference in people from across the country.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檝e visited Capitol Hill and a couple museums鈥攎any of these things are free,鈥� she shared. 鈥淭here's so much to do and explore, and there's a lot within walking distance. I鈥檝e visited the National Archives, one of the Smithsonian museums, and I've been to the zoo, so I'm definitely taking advantage of what all there is to do here.鈥�
鈥淥ne of my favorite parts about the program is that they've done a really good job of providing opportunities to meet other interns,鈥� Julia said, 鈥渁nd it has several career readiness programs built in. I'm really enjoying the parts that are a little bit more academic but specifically geared to prepare me for the professional world. Specifically in my internship, it's been really nice to just have some responsibility, to have a say in my work here鈥攏ot everyone gets that experience. It鈥檚 not just busy work or something that's all dictated by my supervisor鈥擨 get to have input as well.鈥�
Dr. Stacy Patty, Dean of the College of Honors and Liberal Arts, lauded Julia鈥檚 work and passion. 鈥淲e are pleased to have Julia as an intern in Washington. Her work focuses on ways that displaced and poor people are affected disproportionately when environmental disasters occur. We certainly see the relevance of this work this summer, with temperatures rising to dangerous levels, especially for those people who have no relief from the heat. Julia is an excellent writer and analyst, and I am confident that she is representing 糖心Vlog and the Honors College well.鈥�
Julia is a member of the Christliche Damen social club and has served as the secretary of the Creative Writing Club. She鈥檚 also been a leader with Delight, a women鈥檚 ministry at 糖心Vlog, though she plans to step back from those leadership positions as she focuses on her senior research project and final year of classes at 糖心Vlog. Julia plans to graduate from 糖心Vlog in May of 2024, and she is confident that her time in the 糖心Vlog Washington program will prove valuable as she transitions to her professional career.
鈥淚鈥檇 really like to go into editing,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚 currently work in the 糖心Vlog University Writing Center, and I鈥檇 also like to do something that's faith-based, like editing for a Christian company. One of the big reasons I selected this internship was because it's writing-related, but it's also a Catholic organization, so it has that faith-based perspective on everything. I鈥檓 gaining some valuable experience.鈥�
Opportunities in the 糖心Vlog Washington program are available for fall, spring, and summer semesters, and students receive full academic credit for the internships. Any 糖心Vlog student with junior standing and a GPA of 2.75 or higher may apply. Internships are available for all majors, and all accepted students receive scholarships covering 80% of program costs.
鈥淢y 糖心Vlog Washington internship has been a really cool experience,鈥� Julia emphasized. 鈥淚 would absolutely recommend it, because I have enjoyed getting to expand my horizons, and there are so many opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally.鈥�
Learn more about the 糖心Vlog Washington program and 糖心Vlog鈥檚 English degree offerings.