Hiring freezes in D.C. leads PIW to rethink program approach
Photo Credit: Jennifer Mesa
By Emma McClure
On February 5th, students who applied to the Penn in Washington (PIW) semester program were invited to a chat with director Dr. Martinez to discuss the program in the context of “the current climate in DC.” During the roughly 40 minute event, applicants were warned that the program may look very different in the coming year, with Dr. Martinez explaining that she anticipates a lack of internship opportunities this fall.
Recent events may present unique challenges to many applicants. Hiring freezes in federal agencies pose a potential threat to Penn in Washington applicants hoping to intern at the Department of Justice, State Department, Department of Commerce, and other federal agencies. Dr. Martinez expressed concern that even if the hiring freeze ended before the fall, agencies might not reboot their internship programs in time for the fall cohort.
With roughly half of each cohort interning in agencies or the White House, these events have the potential to greatly affect the program. In an effort to adapt to changing circumstances, however, Dr. Martinez proposed a new side of the program that would see students focus on research.
Students on the research track would select a policy topic and attend all relevant Congressional hearings on the matter as well as conduct research using resources from the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Dr. Martinez explained that the end goal would be for students to publish their research, potentially using it to guide a thesis, while also enjoying the opportunity to “be a fly on the wall” during this “unprecedented” time.
In a February 9th email to PIW alumni, Dr. Martinez announced that the changes would be implemented in the fall of 2025 and that the addition of a research track was meant to “provide increased flexibility for students with diverse academic and professional interests” and allow them “to either pursue hands-on internship experience or conduct in-depth policy research utilizing the resources available in Washington, D.C.”. Further details are to be provided on the PIW website shortly. Dr. Martinez also added that they were “hoping to expand the cohort size and commit to a lease so that the cohort can live together”. The new housing plan is expected to lower the cost of the program as well.
Emma McClure is a sophomore in the College studying Criminology and minoring in Legal Studies and History from Columbus, GA. Emma is also The Social Ivy editor at The Pennsylvania Post. Her email is efmcc@sas.upenn.edu.
