Skill Development

Dr. Bayer helps students with writing in the context of the writing clinic. A professional editor who has worked with many authors and world leaders, she not only improves student work but teaches interns individually how to improve their writing style for articles, reports, press releases, speeches, applications, and other formats. As part of the placement process, students are given information about different positions and assisted in composing resumes, letters of inquiry, writing samples, personal essays, and summaries of past experience, if requested. Before applying for a position, applicants speak with the director and correspond in writing so that professional potential can be assessed. We have rarely found a resume we couldn't improve, and embarrassing mistakes are caught and removed. The resume clinic makes an enormous difference in the way a student is perceived. A former syndicated columnist and professor of English who headed writing clinics at Wesleyan University, the U.S. Naval Academy, and Boston University, Professor Bayer can dramatically improve the writing performance of interns in a wide range of fields.

The Washington Internship Program also prepares students for interviews. Much has been written about the meeting that generally makes or breaks an applicant. Students aren't taught in an arbitrary fashion or instructed to say specific things. Rather, techniques for highlighting strengths and potential are discussed, and follow-up after each interview provides feedback for improvement. Generally, students make grave mistakes in mock interviews, only to discover that a little polish goes a long way.