BY KELLY KLINE
The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland is now recruiting interns for the summer of 2012. More than 20 internships are available for undergraduate and graduate students interested in research and terrorism studies or communications and who can commit to working 20 to 40 hours a week at START this summer.
All available internships are unpaid, but students are eligible to receive academic credit through the College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) or the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) Internship Program.
Research interns will experience working with a large team of dynamic and experienced researchers on a variety of multi-year projects and participate in a range of enrichment activities designed to provide them with additional skills, networking opportunities and knowledge to help them in their future pursuits. Specific projects that interns will be working on this summer include Situational Determinants of Maritime Security?which regards piracy and armed robbery at sea-- and the Attack and Perpetrator Investigation Project?where individual s systematically investigate errors or inconsistencies in the historical data, particularly as they are identified by analysts?along with a wide variety of other topics.
Communication interns will have the opportunity to write and distribute press releases, develop and track media lists, plan high-profile events, publish feature stories, contribute to the monthly newsletter and lead a social media working group.
START internship opportunities began in 2005 as a learning opportunity for a small number of students, but transformed into a vital component for their career preparation. Not only do interns gain insight and experience in their field of study, but also greater opportunities to excel in the professional realm.
Beginning in spring 2012, two University of Maryland students were offered a unique dual internship with both START and the U.S. Department of State. Courtney Davis, senior government and politics major and international development and conflict management minor, was one of the first to be included in this partnership.
"So far, my internship has been going well and I have been fortunate to be receiving strong support from the START faculty and staff," Davis said.
Davis is not the only intern pleased with their experience at START. Davia Coke-McKay, government and politics major and terrorism studies minor, made it clear that her internship with START helped push her to pursue her professional goals.
"The professional development opportunities that START has afforded me?through both the terrorism studies minor and the internship program?are invaluable," Coke-McKay said. "Not only do I get the chance to learn from some of the world's leading terrorism experts, but I also have the opportunity to interact with homeland security professionals; and the experience overall has given me the confidence to pursue my career goal of working in a U.S. intelligence agency."
For those interested in applying for one of START's many internship opportunities, please submit the required information and documentation by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 21. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For more information about internship qualifications and how to apply, please click here.
Contact education@start.umd.edu with any questions or concerns you may have about START's available internship opportunities.