Cal Corps - Cal In the Capital - Bear Bulletin

Bear Bulletin Painting D.C. Blue and Gold Since 1965 • Fall Newsletter 2012

What is Cal in the Capital?

The 2012 CITC participants at our annual barbeque at Dr. Michael McGinnis’ house.

A Letter from the 2012-13 Directors

Washington D.C. is always an exciting place to be, but this summer, the whole town seemed to be buzzing over the upcoming election and the important decisions that were being made all over the city. We were lucky enough to experience the monumental Affordable Care Act decision by the Supreme Court, and many of us gathered in conference rooms with co-workers to watch the announcement and some even camped out at the Supreme Court itself. The announcement of the discovery of the Higgs boson particle and the landing of Curiosity on Mars brought scientific advances back into the national consciousness and discussion, much to the delight of our interns working in science-related fields. In a city often divided by political views, the Summer Olympics in London united us as we cheered on our athletes and celebrated in their accomplishments.

This summer, we had CITC participants intern in many prestigious locations all over the city. We had interns work in Congressional offices, government agencies, the White House, NGOs, think tanks, private companies, public relations firms, and more. CITC interns did more than just work, though. The outgoing director team challenged this year’s participants to embrace their role in public service through their internships, service projects in D.C. and the Bay Area, and in their future endeavours. We attended the D.C. Cal Annual Reception on June 30th and educational events with the D.C. Alumni Club.

CITC’s rich 47-year legacy has left an impressive mark on D.C.— many of our interns go on to full-time jobs and continue to work in all sectors to make the world a better place. We look forward to continuing to strengthen the Berkeley community of alumni and students in our capital. With your continued support and enthusiasm, we can keep making D.C. Bear Territory. Go Bears!

Brynna Quillin

Sarah Lewis

Stephanie Thomas

Alumni and Employer Outreach

Recruitment and Marketing

Academic and Events

http://publicservice.berkeley.edu/citc

Cal in the Capital is a studentmanaged internship program housed at the Cal Corps Public Service Center at UC Berkeley. Founded in 1965, Cal in the Capital prepares over 75 UC Berkeley students for challenging summer internships in Washington, D.C. each year from early June through the middle of August.

Cal in the Capital interns are in demand across Washington, D.C., in Congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, nonprofits, private corporations, government agencies, and research institutions.

In this issue Student Experiences 2-3 CITC Service Day 3 Alumni Reflection 4 CITC’s Founder

5 Meet the Directors 6 Get Involved 7

Without your support, many CITC students wouldn’t make it to D.C. Help support them:

Give to Cal in the Capital Here To date, over

2,242

CITC interns have performed more than

812,800

hours of service.

Photo Credit: Sarah Lewis Page 1

Student Experiences in D.C. Jon Baio, The Institute of Medicine

Contrary to the political tradition of D.C., the Institute of Medicine offered a depoliticized internship experience. Certainly almost every person I met had their own ideology; however, to many of the scientists and employees of the National Academies, there was a need to retain authority as an expert adviser to the nation on matters concerning science, medicine, and engineering. Specifically, those for whom I worked often made clear that their job was not policy-setting, but rather the understanding of the reality behind our healthcare system.

It was societal needs that drove research initiatives and publications, not political views.

In my work, I thoroughly researched topics ranging from value-incentives, clinical effectiveness research, the digital infrastructure, evidence— communication, and best practices in healthcare. It became clearer to me during the summer that the political role of a scientist must be one of apolitical action. Through my internship, I expanded my perception of social justice activism and my capacity to recommend change through partnering with communities who experience injustices. I returned to my original interest of volunteering in a local free clinic and gained experience there. Throughout my internship, I was able to see where the recommendations of expert scientists and doctors could integrate the social needs of the free clinic’s community.

Moreover, since advice provided would be from individuals who are depoliticized and since their experiences in these communities are intimate and not the research of some distant social organization, the value of their contributions as experts could still be taken seriously as politically neutral. My time in D.C. was certainly not one of traditional politicking, but it was enlightening in that I experienced the power of trustworthy advice that is seated in actual community exexperience.

CITC participants kayaking on the Potomac, visiting the National Zoo, and attending the Giants-Nationals Game with the D.C. Alumni Club.

Ginny Sklar, D.C. Public Schools

The past summer in the sweltering heat of D.C. was one of the most phenomenal summers of my entire life. I had the privilege of working for the D.C. Public Schools doing urban education reform in our nation’s capital. Washington, D.C. has the highest achievement gap in the nation, and having the opportunity to be apart of such a powerful movement was more than amazing! I served as a Junior Associate in the Office of the Chief Academic Officer in the Office of Curriculum and Instruction as an associate on the Hybrid Learning team. My main deliverable was creating a Hybrid Learning Orientation Guide that provided extensive tips for the perfect hybrid learning classroom, as well as a specific case study on Think through Math, a Grade 4-8 hybrid learning computer program with lesson plans for integrating the program into the Math curriculum.

During my time at DCPS, I also had the opportunity to engage in many professional development activities including multiple school & classroom visits to compile an IT inventory of all schools, drafting a classroom level evaluation tool to observe the effectiveness of hybrid learning programs, as well as taught in a 10th grade Summer School World History classroom at one of the lowest performing high schools in D.C. My experience in D.C. working for the D.C. Public Schools and exploring our nation’s capital has left me counting down the days until I can go back to, what I would argue, the most engaging and fun city in the country! http://publicservice.berkeley.edu/citc

Photo Credit: Jon Baio, Jenny Pilecki, Ginny Sklar

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Our Impact, Our Future Service Day 2012: AIDS Memorial Quilt

By Jenny Pilecki

This past summer I had the opportunity to intern at the American Red Cross HQ in D.C. through Cal in the Capital.

It was an incredibly rewarding experience because I was introduced to a real-world work environment 40 hours a week and still able to participate in volunteer opportunities.

One of my favorite service events included helping with the display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt on the National Mall.

Hundreds of people walked through the isles of handmade quilt pieces snapping pictures, reading the commemorations, or simply taking time to walk down their own memory lanes.

Each section of the quilt contained very personal sections created by friends, families, loved ones, motorcycle clubs, etc.

In D.C. alone, the Quilt was displayed in over 50 locations

across the city. During the same time period, thousands from across the globe were exploring the XIX International AIDS Conference. I was able to volunteer at this conference with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) as well as the Condomized Campaign because of my internship at the American Red Cross. I also had the chance to explore the conference; I saw the president of South Africa, heard Bill Gates speak, and conversed with Public Health activists from Nigeria, Kenya, and Colombia.

Both events allowed me to expand my knowledge of inter national public health and interact with passionate people from around the world. If it weren’t for Cal in the Capital I probably wouldn’t have ventured to the east coast this summer and had these opportunities. I am incredibly grateful to all those who make this program possible.

The 2012 AIDS Memorial Quilt on the National Mall and CITC participant Stephanie Thomas reading the names of victims.

Katherine Liu, U.S. Department of Energy This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern as a Junior Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy under the SunShot Initiative, a program aimed to make solar energy cost competitive by the end of the decade. I cannot recall a boring day in the office—there was always something to do or something to learn. I was able to apply quantitative and qualitative skills to address issues concerning multiple stakeholders and tackle challenges that directly influenced national policies and programs. More importantly, I was given ownership of my projects, allowing me to apply textbook learning to real world problems. At SunShot, I had the opportunity to collaborate with incredibly accomplished individuals who are all working towards the same end goal of sustainable energy solutions. Together, we tackled issues from a variety of perspectives, incorporating technological advancements, economic analysis, and public policy strategies to make the SunShot vision a reality. It’s hard to imagine that not too long ago, the thought of working in Washington, D.C. had never even crossed my mind. I have always been interested in green energy and technology, but I once believed that the Silicon Valley’s private sector held a bulk of opportunities in this field. What I failed to realize is that in our nation’s capital there are a myriad of think tanks, trade associations, non-profits, and state departments working towards the same goals. I am so grateful for my opportunities and experiences in D.C. and my exposure to environmental and energy policy. I walked away from this summer with insight into a growing industry, new friends and colleagues, and memories that will last a lifetime. http://publicservice.berkeley.edu/citc

Photo Credit: Jenny Pilecki, Katherine Liu

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D.C. is Bear Territory Alumni in the Capital

Alumni Reflection Katie Grant, CITC ‘10

As a former CITC intern, affiliate, and program director from my sophomore to senior years at Cal, I have been accustomed to saying how the program would have to “force me out”. After graduating from Berkeley this past spring, and now having spent my 3rd consecutive summer in D.C. — this time after accepting a paralegal position within the Department of Justice— I have been able to reflect on the transformative time I spent with Cal in the Capital and how deeply it benefitted me personally and professionally.

My “take-aways” from CITC went beyond the resume tips, mock interviews, and face-to-face networking with professionals in D.C.; the biggest appeal, and most gratifying part for me, was the chance to meet and spend my summer with other actively involved and politically conscious Cal students in an environment that fuels such activism and enthusiasm. Though I spent my summers interning in the refugee and IDP protection field (with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and the Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement), by virtue of my friendships with fellow CITC interns, I was able to learn more about nuclear non-proliferation, education reform, criminal defense work, … the list goes on, and to frame what I had been learning in the classroom.

Being in DC opened my eyes to how this could be a city of bifurcations: a city of power and privilege but also inequality, a city of often slow-moving systemic change and yet fervent advocacy efforts and grassroots organizing.

I look forward to continuing to grapple with these social justice themes in D.C. this year, working with the DOJ Criminal Division Fraud Section and volunteering with the YPFP Refugee Assistance Program. Furthermore, I am excited about joining the ranks of Cal’s 2nd largest alumni community and welcoming the CITC class of 2013 to D.C. next summer. Go Bears!

Clockwise from top left: CITC participants visiting Mount Vernon, the World War II Memorial, and the Library of Congress. http://publicservice.berkeley.edu/citc

Photo Credit: Sarah Lewis, Brynna Quillin, Katie Grant

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CITC’s Legacy Cal in the Capital’s Past, Present, and Future

By Dr. Michael McGinnis, Founder of Cal in the Capital

Cal in the Capital began with simple aims that endure today: adding strength to public service and to public policy by improving the exposure, familiarity—and mutual comfort levels and engagement—of government and the Berkeley student body. As a high school student in San Mateo in March of 1962, I traveled across the Bay Bridge to attend the Charter Day celebration at Memorial Stadium, where I heard President John F. Kennedy declare that “the New Frontier may owe more to Berkeley than to Harvard,” which was Kennedy’s alma mater.

I recall how striking that statement was to me, not just for what it said about Cal, but because 50 years ago Washington D.C. seemed as far away from the Cal campus as another universe. Three years later, my sense of that distance had changed little, reinforced both by conversations with fellow students and with an aide to one of California’s Senators, who was looking for bright California students to work in the Senator’s office.

The solution seemed obvious—set up a program that could recruit and screen highly qualified Cal students, identify potential Washington positions, match them appropriately, and provide a Washington social and speaker series to build the community. The California Alumni Association offered to provide administrative support for my efforts, as well as identify funds to help support those students in unpaid posts, and Sanford Elberg, the Dean of the Graduate School, agreed to match the funding. Cal in the Capitol—the name it used for a short while reflecting the initial focus on Congress—was born. Student response was strong, as was faculty support, with several senior Political Science professors agreeing to participate in interviewing candidates. Armed with very impressive resumes from those selected (about 35) in the process, I traveled to Washington in March of 1966 to visit offices which had either expressed interest in having students or in which the students had expressed interest in working.

From the beginning, Cal alums were essential to getting things started. Charles Miller (BA, JD) invited me to stay at his home during my visits to the Washington offices, Charlie Clapp (PhD) gave me a phone and a desk in his Senate office, from which I could make appointments. Secretary of Health Education & Welfare John Gardner (Cal PhD) invited me to his office and offered several positions, as did Atomic Energy Chair and former Cal Chancellor Glen Seaborg (PhD). By the end of the week, virtually every one of the students was placed, about a third in paying, federal agency positions. Because in those early days, students were on their own to find housing, the Washingtonbased alumni were also very helpful in locating house-sitting and other opportunities. And those who were Members of Congress or senior Administration officials were quick to accept opportunities to speak at weekly gatherings.

Because I’ve lived in Washington since 1977, most years I’ve had a CITC intern in my office, and since the early 80’s, my wife, Pat, and I have hosted a yearly “Welcome to Washington” barbecue at our home for CITC interns.

For us, it has been both fun and rewarding to watch the growth, maturity, diversity, and reach of the program over the years. The real strength of Cal in the Capital of course lies in students and the fact that it is student-run. The intelligence and the commitment of Berkeley students sets a very high standard, and paves the way for those who come afterwards. And both alumni and employers can’t help being highly impressed and attracted by its student-run nature. You, all of you—current interns and directors, past CITC participants, and all throughout the University and alumni who support them—can take great pride in the contribution you make in paving the way through Cal in the Capital to a brighter future, a Golden Bear future. GO BEARS! http://publicservice.berkeley.edu/citc

Photo Credit: Michael McGinnis

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Meet the 2012-3 CITC Directors Brynna Quillin Alumni and Employer Outreach Director Brynna Quillin is a fourth year English major, Global Poverty and Practice minor, and Public Policy minor from San Carlos, California. She participated in CITC the summer of 2011 during which she interned for Congresswoman Jackie Speier on Capitol Hill, in which she focused on issues of poverty, education, and inequality. As a fourth year saxophone player in the Cal Band, one of her favorite parts of D.C. was relaxing on Friday afternoons at Jazz in the Garden.

Sarah Lewis Recruitment and Marketing Director Sarah Lewis is a fourth year Psychology major and Public Policy minor from Palos Verdes, California. While in D.C. last summer she interned with the House of Representatives Committee of Energy and Commerce, working mainly on environmental, public health, and energy issues. One of her favorite parts of D.C. was trying all of the cupcakes the area had to offer, and ranking them in quality. She misses the Curbside Cupcake truck very much.

Stephanie Thomas Academic and Events Director Stephanie Thomas is a fourth year English major from Washington State. In Summer 2012, she interned through CITC at the National Geographic Society in Washington D.C.. As a Books division intern, she focused on historical research, writing, and social media campaigns for upcoming titles. One of her favorite D.C. memories is the National Geographic Explorer’s Symposium, where dozens of National Geographic Explorers spoke about their current research projects, ranging from archeology to technology.

http://publicservice.berkeley.edu/citc

Photo Credit: Brynna Quillin, Stephanie Thomas, Sarah Lewis

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How To Get Involved Alumni • • • • • •

Contact Us

Help sponsor a student by giving to Cal in the Capital Host a CITC participant at your workplace in D.C. Share your experiences and tips about careers in D.C. at our DeCal Connect us to public service opportunities in the Bay Area and in D.C. Mentor a student in finding their dream internship Send this newsletter to another Cal Alumni

citc@berkeley.edu publicservice.berkeley.edu/citc Angela Taylor Program Advisor (510) 642-5429

As a program under the Cal Corps Public Service Center, Cal in the Employers Capital upholds the Center’s mission to connect people, ideas and • Host a CITC participant as an intern in your office resources to act for social justice, • Visit our website for more information: build healthy communities, and http://publicservice.berkeley.edu/citc foster life-long commitments to • Offer opportunities for our participants to attend networking or educapublic service. tional events

Students • Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/calinthecapital • Come to the Cal Corps Public Service office to get involved

Cal Corps Public Service Center University of California, Berkeley 102 Sproul Hall, MC 2430 Berkeley, CA 94720

Former interns say... ··

• “I love how interning in D.C. this summer really broadened my horizons and made me rethink my future and what I might want to do.”

• “I am proud of the fact that I represented Berkeley well during my time in D.C. this summer. My office regularly has UC interns but everyone was impressed with my “Berkeley work ethic” and high standard of work.”

• “I learned how important communication, people skills, and forming working relationships is to success in not only a career but also to life in general.”

• “I was very set on what I have wanted to do with my career, but I do thank this program for making me find my way. I now will be staying in D.C. with my internship turning into a full time job offer.”

• “My internship experience had allowed me to meet the most inspiring people...I made friendships that will last a lifetime...” http://publicservice.berkeley.edu/citc

Photo Credit: Tom Hughes

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