Summer Internship Details

 

The Muslim Public Service Network (MPSN) Summer Internship Program builds a network of talented American Muslim students who spend their summers interning in Washington, DC in public service and policy related fields. MPSN’s internship component is combined with a comprehensive academic curriculum, professional guest speakers, mentoring, community building and networking. The program includes classes on Islam, current events, and the American political system and provides interns with an understanding of public policy from Islamic perspectives. In addition, students have the opportunity to develop their career paths while networking with one another and with officials from government and nonprofit agencies. The program is open to undergraduate juniors and seniors and graduate and professional students. MPSN is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization with a growing national and international network of nearly 200 alumni who have gained essential experience in a broad spectrum of influential policy making institutions.

During the summer, interns are exposed to politics in action on Capitol Hill, attend congressional hearings and other pertinent meetings and become familiar with the vast resources Washington DC has to offer. The day internships equip the students with the hands-on experience of working in policy making institutions. In addition, the interns attend seminars on U.S. government affairs given by Capitol Hill staffers and senior U.S. government officials and are exposed to perspectives from professionals representing a broad spectrum of policy-making institutions. Most importantly, interns take part in graduate level seminars that offer an Islamic point of view on public service and policy making. These courses, taught by nationally known scholars and experts, enrich the interns’ knowledge of Islamic perspectives on the most urgent issues in public service and policy development today.

On some weekends and evenings, there will be opportunities to take advantage of the wide array of cultural and historical attractions in Washington DC. At the end of the program the current class of interns will join other MPSN Summer Internship Program alumni at the closing banquet - a highlight marking the conclusion of each year’s program.

The MPSN Summer Program Experience

The Muslim Public Service Network aims to engage the American Muslim community in public service and policy development work to benefit all United States citizens and to fully integrate Muslims into the social fabric of America.

MPSN has four main objectives:

• To facilitate on-the-job practical training on Capitol Hill and with other public service policy making institutions
• To offer graduate level education in how Islam relates to public service and policy making
• To foster heightened awareness and understanding of the diversity within the American Muslim community, with an emphasis on developing cohesive leadership rooted in an ethos of knowledge, ethics and public service
• To expand and support the network of alumni who are the emerging leaders in the public service and policy making arenas.

The Summer Internship Program incorporates the following components:

• Public service and public policy-oriented internships
• Coursework, lectures and workshops
• Research, teaching assistantships and community service
• Mentoring, networking and community-building.

Public Service and Policy-Oriented Internships

MPSN interns are expected to secure internships in organizations with national influence. Past interns have secured a wide range of internships - from Capitol Hill, the White House, Departments of Education, State, Treasury and Justice to numerous non-profit organizations involved with media, public health, environmental policy, education policy and economic development

Applicants are encouraged to secure the internship placements in line with their career goals early in the school year because the most prestigious internships are usually filled in the fall or early spring. Ultimately, it is the applicant’s responsibility to secure a day internship. A list of helpful search links is included on the MPSN website. MPSN alumni are also available to assist accepted applicants with leads to appropriate internships.

It is important to note that internships with foreign embassies, Muslim organizations, or ethnic organizations with predominantly Muslim populations are excluded from participation in MPSN.

In addition, interns are asked to arrange work schedules that leave evenings and weekends free for MPSN Courses.

Coursework, Lectures and Workshops

MPSN focuses on developing a network of American Muslims with a heightened awareness of Islamic perspectives on public service and policy making. The academic component of MPSN will reflect this approach and is designed to complement the practical experience gained in the field.

The goals of the academic component are to:

• Develop an improved understanding of Islamic and secular view points relating to public service and policy making and implementation
• Develop a deeper understanding of the varied dimensions within the American Muslim community, with an emphasis on creating cohesive leadership rooted in an ethos of knowledge, ethics and public service
• Analyze the preparation necessary for the young American Muslim leadership to protect the human rights of American Muslims and vulnerable communities within American society at-large
• Develop uniquely Islamic paradigms to analyze issues outside existing models of decision making.

The academic component of the MPSN Summer Internship Program familiarizes students with Islamic texts, resources, tools and problem solving principles.  The curriculum focuses on the political, economic and social aspects of Islam; the relevance of Islamic teachings for the contemporary world; trends in the Muslim world; and especially on applying appropriate methodologies for interpreting and/or reinterpreting Islamic teaching through ijma' (consensus) and ijtihad (interpretation).

Research, Teaching Assistant and Community Service Assignments

The MPSN Summer Internship Program is extremely demanding and designed for goal-oriented, mature and academically advanced students. While there are no exams, interns may be asked to complete a term paper on a subject of their choice, either individually or jointly in a small group with other interns.  A list of suggested topics will be provided for selection before the start of the program.

Interns, working individually or as members of a Teaching Assistant (TA) team, will be expected to specialize in the work of the guest scholar assigned to them. Their main function as a TA will be to contact the guest scholar in advance and prepare the class for planned sessions, familiarize themselves with the topic and writings, moderate the class discussion, record the lectures on audio or video tapes, and handle post-lecture follow-up activities.

Over the past two years, the summer interns have had the opportunity to be involved in various community service projects.  There will be a service project on the summer 2007 calendar or there will be one or two projects during the summer for which the interns can volunteer and report on later to the rest of the class.

Mentoring, Networking and Community Building

Over 14 years, MPSN has built an extensive network of alumni from diverse backgrounds.  This diversity is a unique aspect of the program, bringing many interns from varying communities within the American Muslim community to live, work and study together.  The program aims for a MPSN class that is a microcosm of the American Muslim community to foster a heightened understanding and appreciation of the diversified experiences that shape the American Muslim experience.  

MPSN is an intensive experience both personally and professionally.  Living among a diverse group of peers - with a full spectrum of political and Islamic perspectives - requires interns to be open-minded and willing to engage respectfully in challenging debates. The MPSN environment is built on mutual respect, understanding and willingness to learn from each other.  Each participant is expected to learn and grow within this supportive environment, an environment created and sustained by the group of interns.

The networking aspect of MPSN begins with immediate class members and extends through the mentoring program and into the larger network of MPSN alumni.  Each summer, MPSN interns will be paired with MPSN alumni in the DC area to advise on the interns’ career goals and to provide support for working in Washington.  After the Summer Program, interns can connect with previous alumni through the MPSN organizing committees, organizational events and the MPSN listserve.

Accommodations

MPSN will provide the interns with room and board in Washington DC from June 1 through mid-August (for those whose internships extend beyond July 31). Men and women have separate living quarters that are shared with the program Resident Manager, Resident Assistants and out of town guest lecturers. Classes and other group activities are held in a central location convenient to both groups. Students share responsibility for preparing meals, cleaning, etc.

Externships

While the residential component is an integral part of the summer experience, MPSN recognizes the special circumstances of some applicants who have their own housing in Washington DC. For qualified applicants with these circumstances, MPSN has designated a limited number of “Extern” slots. Externs are expected to fully participate in a minimum of two-thirds of MPSN programming including seminars and activities, and they must ensure that their commute is not an obstacle to this participation. Externship applicants need to indicate so on their application.

Program Fees and Financial aid

MPSN is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization. Its internship program is funded by contributions from alumni, Islamic centers, and private individuals as their investment in the future generations of Muslim leaders in America. These contributions provide the major source of funding that covers the housing, meals, and local transportation. Administrative services for the year-round planning and the summer operation of the program is provided almost entirely on a voluntary basis.

Participants in the program are asked to pay a fee of $400 ($300 for externs).  Interns are responsible for their own travel expenses to and from Washington DC and all incidental costs such as personal clothing, laundry, medicine, and entertainment must be covered by the intern.

In order to assist those interns who need financial assistance, MPSN has established a financial aid program. Interns, whose internships are unpaid and who demonstrate financial need, may apply for a full or partial waiver of the MPSN program fee.

MPSN recommends that you also seek private sponsors for your internship to assist you with the cost of the application fee.  Upon acceptance, MPSN will provide interns a letter to assist in seeking financial sponsors for your internship.  All private donations that are raised to sponsor your internship will be deducted from your program fee.

Health Insurance

Interns accepted to the program must present proof of health insurance and emergency contact information. You will be responsible for your own medical insurance and any medical care that may be needed while you are in the program.

Transportation

Interns are expected to pay their own transportation costs to and from Washington, DC All other transportation costs related to the internships or group activities will be provided by MPSN. An introduction to the Washington public transportation system will be included in the orientation packet.

Free Time

Trips to local sights and events are planned by the group. Alternate weekends are left open for recreation and individual plans.

MPSN Code of Conduct and Ethics

Preamble:  MPSN represent a full spectrum of the schools of thoughts in Islamic jurisprudence as well as ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This diversity is a fundamental strength of the program, and the MPSN environment is built on mutual respect, understanding and a willingness to learn from each other. To create an atmosphere where this diversity can flourish, MPSN has adopted the following guidelines as the “MPSN Code of Conduct and Ethics”. Accordingly, the MPSN Summer Internship award is based on the condition that each intern willingly accepts and agrees to adopt and enforce this Code while attending the MPSN program.

General:

1. All interns fully agree with the aims and objectives of the MPSN Summer Internship Program and will work with integrity, competence and diligence for its success during and after their stay in Washington DC.
2. All interns committed to conducting their lives as socially-conscious Muslims.

Conduct for in-house Activities:

1. All interns agree to live together like one family unit and treat each other with respect like brothers and sisters.
2. As the in-house education is a vital part of the Summer Program, all interns will fully participate by engaging in discussions and completing their academic assignments in a timely manner.
3. Salat is an integral part of a Muslim’s faith, and participants are expected to perform their prayers in congregation (Jama’at) whenever they are in a MPSN house.
4. All interns agree to forego their personal preferences for the greater good of the group and the Summer Program. Participants agree to follow the instructions of program management and the advice of their Resident Assistant(s) for their responsibilities as housemates.
5. All interns agree to follow the daily schedule for house activities (meals, prayers, preplanned group outings etc.) and to be at home by the agreed upon curfews (except with prior permission by the House Manager).

Conduct at Internship Offices:

1. As a representative of American Muslim community, each intern will perform, to the best of his/her ability, the internship office assignments, and attempt to be a model representative of Islam.
2. Each intern will complete his/her internship requirements, including employer evaluation and interview by a MPSN program representative.

Conduct during field visits:   No intern will participate in any activity that is directly or indirectly against the generally accepted basic norm of Islamic teachings and behavior or against state or federal laws. Any gross violation of this provision of the Code may result in termination in the MPSN Summer Program. In that event, the Program Director may advise the intern’s family and will ask the intern to leave the program immediately.

click here to download an application

Email: info@muslimpublicservice.org