In the wake of Sept. 11, Brehm says, “everyone just got a lot more serious about their jobs.” The hours got longer, too. “You have no life,” he says. “That’s one of the downsides of working at the White House.”

Lawrence Robinson ’04 interned for the American Civil Liberties Union, studying issues, evaluating candidates, corresponding with legislative offices, and researching economic non-discrimination and racial profiling. “Since CMC internships are 9-to-5, you’re a real staff member,” says Robinson. “And the CMC classes there are not at all easier than on campus; they really worked us hard.”

“Internship supervisors praise the academic challenges of the program,” Spalding says, “because they get better interns and substantive research done for their organizations as a result.”

The research paper is structured around one-on-one tutorials, during which the instructor and student discuss possible topics and review drafts. Because paper topics are linked with the student’s internship, on-the-job supervisors or colleagues may also guide the project.

Megan Baesman ’03 was in Washington during the time of the anthrax scare, and wrote a paper about bio-terrorism and the public health infrastructure for her employer, Physicians for Social Responsibility. Baesman’s paper formed the basis of the advocacy group’s approach to the topic.

“I began my research after 9/11, but before the first anthrax case broke in Florida,” Baesman says. “I had the chance to study public policy, literally, as it was unfolding. Physicians for Social Responsibility was already working on an initiative related to bio-terrorism and infectious disease tracking. Their professional expertise gave me a good jumping-off point for my research. At the same time, I felt like I was able to break new ground. My research was both exciting to me and beneficial for the group.”

Professor of Government John J. Pitney Jr., the program’s faculty liaison, says he was concerned that students would be scared away from the program after Sept. 11. The deadline to participate in the spring 2002 session came just days after the terrorist attacks, but, ironically, there was a surge in applications. “That may be coincidental or it may reflect a greater interest in public service,” Pitney says.

Students say it is no coincidence.

“I felt a strong urge to go to D.C.,” says Robinson, one of the 18 students who participated in the program in spring 2002.

Robinson’s employers at the ACLU opposed the new powers granted to the Bush administration after Sept. 11. Although the ACLU has lost many recent battles, Robinson says his time in Washington boosted his confidence and gave him a taste of the working world.

“I had drinks with my coworkers after work and talked about policy,” Robinson recalls with a laugh. “Now I know where the liberals hang out in Washington.”

Making contacts through internships, faculty, guest speakers, receptions, social engagements, conferences, and congressional hearings is a key component of the program. Students have access to a powerful network of more than 270 CMC alumni, many of whom first came to D.C. via the Washington Program and who often want to help students have as great an experience as they did.

“If a student called any of our D.C. alumni, they’d make plans to meet for coffee and talk in a heartbeat,” says Holly McCord ’92, CMC’s associate director of alumni relations. “The chapter is always willing to help people in the area.”

Carl See ’99, president of CMC’s Washington alumni chapter, makes it a priority to involve students in alumni functions from watching Georgetown Hoyas basketball games to hearing guest speakers. When See’s Washington Program class dined at the Capitol City Brewery with recent CMC graduates in 1998, the experience made him appreciate the sizable local CMC population. “A welcoming CMC community provides a slice of comfort,” says See. “Networking in the CMC community has helped me to meet new friends, to expand my business contacts, and to explore the D.C. area culture.”

In spring 1996, Mark Mehringer ’98 worked in the Clinton-Gore campaign office responsible for signing up volunteers and interns. Mehringer remembers how several volunteers from Arkansas, then-President Clinton’s home state, showed up at the campaign and promptly landed plum jobs. The experience showed him the importance of networking: a skill Mehringer now uses navigating D.C. political circles as a consultant for Decision Research.