Former President Bill Clinton has often stated that a Congressional internship, when he was an undergraduate student at Georgetown University in the late 1960s, was key to his development. Clinton has declared that his stint as an intern working for then-Senator J. William Fulbright, Arkansas Democrat, provided him with some of the most useful and memorable experiences of his undergraduate career. He has said that this internship helped shape his understanding of the political process and ultimately influenced his career.

Fulbright, the senator from Clinton’s home state of Arkansas, was best known as the powerful chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Most people remember Fulbright’s opposition to the Vietnam war, but tend to forget that he had originally been a strong supporter of America’s role in Vietnam. In 1964, Fulbright had been the floor leader who had pushed through the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which President Lyndon Johnson cited as proof of Congressional approval of the war effort and as justification for sending in additional troops.

Clinton’s internship coincided with that moment in history when Fulbright began to question the rationale behind America’s involvement in Vietnam. Young Clinton was able to witness the transformation of Fulbright from being a leading proponent of the war to its most important Congressional critic.

Fulbright’s increasing disenchantment with the war resulted in his calling a series of public hearings to investigate America’s involvement in Vietnam. Clinton observed the Foreign Relations Committee hearings and understood how these sessions helped to shift Congressional and, eventually, public opinion against the war. This experience also contributed to Clinton’s own conclusions about America’s involvement. Based, in part, on information he gathered while serving his internship, Clinton eventually wrote his senior thesis at Georgetown on the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Although most Congressional internships are not as dramatic as Clinton’s, his experience was not that unusual. Most Washington interns are provided with the unique experience of observing the intricacies of the political process first hand. The excitement that comes from working on issues that determine the nation’s destiny is unforgettable and it can even shape career choices.

Issues obviously change over the years, but each session of Congress deals with those political questions that directly affect American domestic and foreign policies. Thus, no matter when a given internship may take place, a participant is virtually guaranteed to be present when momentous decisions are reached

Even if they do not affect the life choices of individuals, Washington internship programs are still important educational tools. As citizens, we have an obligation to participate in the American political process and there is no better way to gain an in depth understanding of how the system “really” works than to spend time working in it. There is no better way for someone who has decided to pursue a career in medicine to gain an understanding of how federal health-care policies are determined than to watch Congress wrestle with these complex issues.

Future scientists and computer engineers find it invaluable to witness the federal appropriation process for scientific research projects. This experience enables them to better understand federal regulations governing their field of specialization and the process of applying for research grants.

Internships in Washington are available with members of Congress, congressional committees, media organizations, government relations firms, embassies and trade associations.

Even if they do not affect the life choices of individuals, Washington internship programs are still important educational tools. As citizens, we have an obligation to participate in the American political process and there is no better way to gain an in depth understanding of how the system “really” works than to spend time working in it.

These internships are mutually beneficial, as the intern gains valuable experience while the office or organization is provided with needed staffing. The duties, responsibilities and salary (if any) of interns varies from office to office. Their are based on that intern’s qualifications and interests as well as individual initiative and the structure of the office.

Assignments will range from drafting correspondence and responding to constituent inquiries, to performing routine duties essential to a Congressional operation. Some interns are given routine tasks as clerks, messengers, or receptionists. Other interns may be assigned more substantive work, ranging from legislative research to constituent services.

Many interns are assigned to work on specific subject areas, ranging from foreign policy to health care to education to immigration issues. As a result, interns are often able to learn more about these subjects than they could at school. Interns track the process of legislation in these fields, follow committee action on relevant bills, and research debates and statements in the Congressional Record.

They are frequently called upon to seek out information to assist staff aides working on a given issue. Interns have the opportunity to attend frequent Congressional hearings, either as part of their office responsibilities or during their spare time. These hearings feature cabinet secretaries, leading academics, representatives from trade associations and industry, and well-known public figures. This enables them to hear the most prominent experts testify on virtually every subject of public policy.

Irrespective of their specific assignments, all interns are able to improve their research and writing skills. They have access to the vast sources of resources available in Washington, including Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress.

Another advantage of a Washington internship is the ability to network with other interns, congressional staff and with professionals working in Washington for trade associations, research organizations and the media. These friendships and contacts can prove to be invaluable later in life when the former intern applies for a job or needs to research an issue.

For many interns, this is the first time that they will have to relate to colleagues and supervisors in a relatively pressure-filled office environment. Thus, separate from the political experience and education, interns learn invaluable skills just by working in an office setting.

Finally, working in Washington enables interns to enjoy cultural and social experiences ranging from concerts and theater to lectures at the Smithsonian and Library of Congress.

It is for these reasons that the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) established a summer internship/leadership program designed specifically to provide young Indian Americans with the unique benefits of a Washington internships.

Gopal Raju is to be commended for his foresight in establishing this program, which provide these opportunities to the next generation of Indian-American leaders and also enables them to share their experiences with others throughout the community.

Subsequent articles will focus on the specifics of this program — one of the very best of its kind on Capitol Hill. To continue to grow and succeed, to serve the entire community, the Washington Leadership Program needs support from Indian Americans across the country.

Those wishing to support this most worthwhile endeavor are encouraged to send their tax-deductible contributions to: The Indian American Center for Political Awareness; Washington Leadership Program; 1735 New York Avenue, Suite 500, Washington, D.C., 20006.

(The writer is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and Of Counsel with Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds. He is an associate with the IACPA)