Cal in the Capital

Supporting Scholarships for CITC Interns

The 2022 directors and cohort of Cal in the Capital Interns

For more than 50 years, Cal in the Capital has launched Berkeley students into challenging summer internships in the nation’s capital, and trained the next generation of leaders and public servants. This summer, over 75 talented interns will face a radically changed political landscape in Washington, D.C. Their experiences and perspectives, their energy and idealism, are needed now more than ever before.

Housed at the Public Service Center, Cal in the Capital (CITC) is a student-run internship program that takes place during the summer in Washington, DC. Each year, we prepare more than 70 Berkeley students for these challenging internships. With a reputation for excellence, our interns are in high demand and most students work full-time. To date over 3800 interns have served 1,633,689 hours of service in hundreds of different settings — including Congressional offices, federal and other government agencies, think tanks, nonprofit organizations, media centers, private corporations, and research institutions. Students from all majors, backgrounds, and interests participate in this program, which impacts not only their lives, but society as a whole.

Your Support Provides Transformative Summer Experience

Very few summer internships are paid, so the transformative experience of Cal in the Capital is out of reach for most Berkeley students. Our interns currently pay their way by taking on extra jobs during the school year, or through limited scholarships and hard-to-obtain summer financial aid. Even so, the current cost of $6,000 — which includes housing at the UCDC Washington Center, travel, and basic living expenses for the 10-week program — is too much of a stretch.

Help us make this transformative experience possible for Berkeley students.

How funds are distributed: Funds raised through this campaign will provide students' scholarships, which are distributed based on need. An average of 25 to 30 students receive partial scholarships ranging in size from $300 to $800 for the summer.

Estimated budget for financing a summer in D.C.:

• Housing and Utility:  $4000
• Food:  $1000
• Air Transit:  $500
• Local Transit:  $200                          
• Other personal expenses (travel, etc.):  $500
• Suggested budget per intern:  ~$6,000

Why Support Cal in the Capital?

 

Congress Woman Barbara Lee | Alumni | Former CITC Intern

"I remember my time as an intern fondly, and can tell you without hesitation that this program changed my life, as it has for so many others. Because of my experience with the program, I have always enjoyed having the privilege of hosting Cal in the Capital interns in my congressional office. The passion and dedication that these student leaders display toward serving their country, their communities, and those whose voices too often go unheard is an inspiration to all."

Meg Stern | CITC Alumni and Employer Outreach Director 2021-2022

"Cal in the Capital helped me gain incredible insight into what type of career I want to pursue once I graduate from Berkeley. I had an amazing time working for the Plastic Pollution Coalition, which revealed to me how much I value environmental preservation and policy, and how much I enjoy working for non-profits. This program also pushed me to develop my time-management, communication, and networking skills, which will all be invaluable for any other leadership position I take on in the future. Cal in the Capital is a fantastic stepping stone toward careers and lives oriented around public service."

Neha Palvai | CITC Intern and Director 2019-2020

"Cal in the Capital gave me a community and a home in DC. The connections I made were truly invaluable, be it with peers in my cohort (who are still my close friends till date) or the network I built (through the events in DC and my role as Alumni & Employer Outreach Director). I got my start in DC and the program supported me as a young freshman eager to begin working in the public sector. I loved every second of the program and have made sure ALL my friends have joined the same!"

 

Victoria Brademan | Donor and Alumni | CITC Intern and Student Director 1972-1973

"CITC did so much for me. How could I not stay involved and give back? CITC remains one of the most well regarded summer internship programs in Washington, D.C. It's time for alumni to come to the rescue in a big way! If you are a former CITC intern, my fondest hope is that you will reconnect with this program and contribute financially to its continued success on a yearly basis. It needs your help to survive and thrive."

 

Dr. Michael McGinnis | Donor and Alumni | CITC Founding Member 1965

"I can't image a more valuable cause to donate to. You're donating to the University of California Berkeley, your alma mater. You're donating to the generation of future leaders for the nation. And you're enriching the Washington environment because the contribution of students when they're on the scene is a contribution that is not just expressed in terms of the work they do, but also in terms of the spirit they bring."

The 2017 cohort of Cal in the Capital interns

Please visit: https://publicservice.berkeley.edu/programs/citc/

Or, for more information, please contact:

Emily Adsit

Cal in the Capital Program Director and Manager

Public Service Center

University of California, Berkeley

Email: emilyadsit@berkeley.edu