Internship

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The WITA Internship Experience: The Interns speak!

“The WITA internship is a perfect springboard for anyone interested in pursuing a career in international trade policy. My time with WITA has provided me with assets that will undoubtedly prove invaluable going forward.  From the professional contacts made with some of the biggest names in trade policy, down to the fine-tuning of skills needed to operate successfully in any professional environment, I am very thankful for the experience I have had at WITA.”

Stephen Rindone, University of Georgia, International Business and Spanish, Summer 2010 Intern

"The WITA Internship is a great experience for young professionals passionate about trade. The knowledge and skills to gain from it are plentiful, professionally and personally. I acquired an understanding on how trade policy is fashioned and who the key players are in the field- at the front and behind the scenes. It is everything you expect of an internship and more."
Pamela Calderon, Universidad del Valle de Mexico, International Studies and Trade, Spring 2010 Intern.

"There are very few internships that give you a full immersion in the trade policy sector. WITA exposes you to the hot topics in trade, you get engaged in trade policy forums, and you get to meet the people who shape trade policy in DC and beyond. I enjoyed my time here, I learned so much, and I have made some very great connections. This is a truly great experience for any student."
Stephanie Ayeh, American University, International Studies and Economics, Spring 2010 Intern.


"WITA is a fantastic opportunity; it is more than just an internship.  It is a tour de force experience to be had.  It is everything you would want out of an internship and more.  If you are thinking about a career in international trade policy then WITA is an ideal starting point to gain a view of the international trade policy world."
James Lim, Michigan State University, Political Science and Economics, Fall 2009 Intern. 

"My experience at WITA was an incredible one which allowed me to learn about current trade issues and the trade policy career field in general, and also provided opportunities to make valuable connections within the DC trade community. By assisting in the organization of several WITA events and the Annual Dinner, I honed valuable communication and planning skills that can be applied to any job. The environment of the office enabled me to become truly invested in the organization and to make legitimate connections to it."
Libby Koerbel, University of Notre Dame, Economics and Chinese, Summer 2009 Intern

"My internship with WITA has been fun, fulfilling and informative. With WITA I had the opportunity to interact with those involved in shaping international trade policy, from backgrounds as diverse as the private sector, government, and law. I would highly recommend this internship to anyone looking to make lasting career connections in trade policy."
Andre Nakazawa, University of Oregon, Economics and Political Science, Summer 2009 Intern

"From my experience at WITA, I have gained a unique insight into the U.S. trade policy with numerous opportunities to network with the D.C. professionals from the government officials, business professionals to foreign diplomats and students. The Executive Director's support for interns within the organisation has been comprehensive and well-structured to maximise the potentials of different individuals whom become important parts of WITA. Unlike other internships in D.C., WITA internship has provided me various assignments from which I can polish employ-abilities such as communication, teamwork, self-initiative, organisational management, leadership and IT skills that would make me a felicitous candidate for future careers."
Jong Bum Kim, University of Edinburgh, MA (Hons) Economics and Politics, Spring 2009 Intern

"The WITA internship experience has provided me with the opportunity to learn a great deal about how a small non-profit works and contribute a great deal to its success.  I have had the chance to observe first-hand the variety of careers that one can pursue in international trade and feel that I have taken a significant step towards a career in the field.  The WITA experience has been a very valuable, especially on the level of leadership and professional development."
Eric Lamb, University of Colorado, Economics & French, Spring 2009 Intern

"My experience as a WITA intern was a great one. In addition to assisting in the overall activities and functions of the organization I was allowed to be a part of multiple and diverse events; Both as an organizer and as a student. Being able to learn from key personalities in the international trade arena was invaluable. WITA has helped me delineate the career path I will continue to pursue. I leave WITA incredibly grateful and content for meeting many persons who share the same passions I do.To all students and young professionals interested in trade policy, I strongly recommend seeking the opportunity to become a part of WITA's “Interns family".
Claudia Gomez, Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla, Fall 2008 Intern.

"Interning at WITA has been a remarkable experience for me. It has exposed me to wealth of trade policy issues and opened my eyes to many possible career paths for my future. I would highly recommend this internship to anyone interested in pursuing a career in international trade policy. The events that WITA hosts give interns the opportunity to make valuable contacts with people of many organizations in DC. I have truly enjoyed my summer at WITA and cannot wait to come back and attend more events in the future!"
Whitney Mixter, Wake Forest University, Economics, Summer 2008 Intern

"Working at WITA was a great experience for me. The organization allowed me to not only help, but take charge of certain projects throughout the summer. The events were a great way to network as well as gain more knowledge about the different facets of trade. I would definitely recommend this internship to those interested in a career in trade and for all those, like me, who have an interest in trade, but are not exactly sure what career they would like to pursue. WITA was a great place to be and if you aren't a member already, sign up today!
Sarah Hayden, UNC Asheville, International Economics, Summer 2008 Intern

"My experiences at WITA have been nothing but positive. The environment allows you to make real contributions to the organization which is rare for an internship. I have met many influential and experienced trade professionals and have learned much more than I would learn in a classroom. This internship has definitely helped shape my future career goals. I can’t wait to come back to DC and attend WITA events as a member!"
Caitlin Van Sant, James Madison University, International Affairs and International Business Majors, Latin American Studies Minor, Spring 2008 Intern

"My experience at WITA was a very positive one. This internship has been very educational and informative and has helped me prepare for the next stage of my career. The experience not only exposed me to the trade policy world but also allowed me to meet successful professionals, gain first hand knowledge of how associations are run, and how trade policy in DC really works. I recommend this internship to anyone who is interested in trade and wants to learn how policy is discussed and made in Washington."
Michael Ford, Ohio University, Political Science, Fall 2007 Intern

"Interning at WITA is a great opportunity for anyone interested in international trade! Being able to network with many of the most highly regarded trade professionals in the DC area is truly invaluable. Interning at WITA has offered me many ideas for the future and has definitely given me a push in the right direction. I recommend this interneship to anyone who wants to gain first hand experience of how trade works in DC and wishes to become involved in the future."
Sandi Stewart, Monterrey Institute of International Studies, International Trade Policy, Summer 2007 Intern

"WITA is definitely a place to be exposed to the current issues affecting international trade policy. If you want to learn about the major players in international trade this is definitely a good place to start. It introduced me to aspects of trade policy that I would never learn from reading my textbooks."
Rhea Acuna, University of Michigan, Economics and Asian Studies, Summer 2007 Intern.

"Through my internship with WITA, I was exposed to the full range of organizations and players that influence international trade and was provided with a broad yet in-depth knowledge of how trade policy operates in Washington. I also had the opportunity to develop some solid netwroking to further my connections in the field and the area. Many options and positives are available to your advantage; if you are interested in learning about trade, making connections, and defining your career path, then an internship with WITA provides all the necessary tools and opportunities".
Shelton Metcalf, University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), International Studies and Economics, Spring 2007 Intern.

"WITA and Washington DC were great starting points for my career! The diverse international environment, excellent discussions on international trade and numerous networking opportunities helped me to figure out which career path I could most successfully pursue".
Jaana Lillemagi, The University of Birmingham (UK), MA in International Political Economy, Fall 2006 Intern.

“My time at WITA has been extremely beneficial; WITA events are a perfect opportunity to meet successful professionals, to learn about trade, and to see what D.C. has to offer. I think that this internship was really necessary for me to make the most of my education because it pushed me back into reality and out of an academic realm.”
Jillian Maslyn, Syracuse University, International Relations, Summer 2006 intern.

“Having the opportunity to work at WITA has been one of the highlights of my college career. I had professional training in non-profit business management as well as the chance to be a part of the premier trade network in Washington D.C. WITA exposed me to an array of topics on global economics and international trade, not to mention the valuable connections that I gained for my future career through networking. Interns at WITA are trusted with a wealth of responsibility that will prepare you for future endeavors. There is so much that WITA has to offer!”
Monika Toemion, Pepperdine University, Economics Major, Summer 2006 Intern.

“The WITA internship is a great opportunity to network with some of the best and brightest trade professionals in the DC area. If you are unsure what kind of trade work you want to do, this internship will allow you to meet the people who work in various trade fields and allow you to get a broad picture of the trade community in DC.”
Go Kasai, The George Washington University, International Affairs and Asian Studies, Winter/Spring 2006 intern.

"My experience at WITA has been very rewarding from beginning to end. I was able to observe leaders up-close, interact and learn from them. Also, working at the events has provided me with a first hand experience on the formation of trade policy."
Maria B. Seaman, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, International Business and Spanish, Fall 2005 intern.

"WITA's internship program provided me with a first hand, in-depth look at the formation of trade policy. I even met a lot of the major players in the trade world. Putting together the WITA Annual Dinner and working with the Embassies was an amazing -and rewarding- experience. "
Alec Brown, American University, Political Science. Summer 2005 intern.

"An internship at WITA exposes you to how trade issues are discussed and dealt with in the 'real world' by planning, running, and attending the same forums as trade professionals from both the private and public sectors."
Stephanie Schwartzkopf, University of Richmond, Economics and International Studies, Summer 2005 intern.

"The WITA office was a very open environment, which allowed me to see the behind-the-scenes aspects of a small non-profit. It was comfortable to discuss developments in international trade and many other topics. I was also able to develop my own projects and follow them through to completion. The semester flew by!"
Ashleigh Tschiltz, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Economics and International Studies, Spring 2005.

"The most valuable experience I obtained at WITA was gaining first hand experience of the ins and outs of one of the meccas of trade policy: Washington DC. Observing the system up close and in real life is much more valuable than reading about policy and process in a book, or in a lecture hall. This first hand insight is an asset to everyone interested in anything remotely close to politics or international affairs."
Francis Bechet, The Hague School of European Studies, Hague University, Netherlands. Public Administration. Winter/Spring 2005 intern.

"Working at WITA introduced me to an entire community of people interested in an array of international and trade related topics. From government officials, to diplomats, to working professionals, to college students, WITA's members are as diverse as DC itself. This internship is what you make it and if you have the drive, there's tremendous potentional in the resources WITA has to offer."
Maria Klioutcheva, George Washington University, International Affairs/Economics, Summer/Fall 2004 intern.

"Interning at WITA gave me great insight into the inner workings of a small non-profit. I was also exposed to countless career possibilites and international trade topics."
Lindsey Steinberg, James Madison University, International Affairs/French major, Fall 2004

"My experience at WITA was phenomenal. I learned since the moment I arrived, and I made some very useful and valuable connections during my internship. In my opinion, the opportunity to meet representatives from basically every industry interested in trade in Washington DC sets the WITA internship apart from all others."
Sam Major, Brigham Young University, German and International Business major, Spring/Summer 2004 intern.

“My internship at WITA was a positive, rewarding experience. I was exposed to diplomats and professionals in the international trade community that I never would have otherwise met. Attending the events showed me how trade theory plays out in the real world. I would highly recommend a WITA internship to students interested in trade, economics, and international relations.”
Marie G., George Washington University, International Business major, Fall 2003 intern.

”My internship at WITA was a great introduction to the field of trade. I gained a broader understanding of the players and issues that surround the trade industry. The speakers are excellent, and the issues discussed are real-world, not just the theory you read in textbooks. My experience has made me want to pursue a career in trade policy.”
Rebecca Puckett, George Washington University, International Affairs major, Fall 2003 intern.