Program Details

Cal in the Capital (CITC) is a student-managed internship program that prepares UC Berkeley students for challenging summer internships in Washington, DC. Each year approximately 75 students are selected for the program, following a highly competitive admissions process during fall semester. Students intern in Washington from early June through the middle of August, and most students work full-time. CITC is an incredibly diverse group representing a wide-range of majors, and as a result, CITC students have interned at hundreds of different offices - including Congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, research centers, and nonprofit organizations.

The UCDC Washington Center

The CITC program houses students at the University of California Washington Center and accommodates students from all U.C. campuses. The center opened in 2001 and features a gym, lounge, sundeck, and computer center.

The CITC interns live in apartment style housing, with four students per apartment. These fully furnished apartments offer 2 bed rooms, a full kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom area. Cleaning service of the common areas (not bedrooms) is provided once a week.

Location, Location, Location! The center is located four blocks north of the White House and two blocks south of Dupont Circle, the cultural hotspot of D.C.

Working & Living in Washington, DC

As the nation’s capital, DC is home to the main offices of most federal agencies, national nonprofit organizations, major research institutions and many media outlets. DC offers internship opportunities for students of all majors in every career sector. Since CITC is a non-partisan program, our past interns have worked in a variety of organizations and institutions.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates the second largest rail transit system and the fifth largest bus network in the United States. WMATA transports more than a third of the federal government to work and millions of tourists to the landmarks in the Nation’s Capital. The Metro was created in 1967 and construction of the Metrorail system began in 1969. CITC interns will rely on this great mode of transportation a lot and it will serve as their primary way to get around DC. The UCDC Center is located on the Red Line between the Faragut North Metro Stop and Dupont Circle.

Past Experiences

Being a Cal in the Capital intern is a once in a life-time oppertunity and past interns were able to mingle and network with national influencial figures.

Top 5 reason to intern in Washington, DC:

Senator Feinstein with CITC interns

"Politics always been a passion of mine. The only political experience I had before Cal in the Capital was mainly campaign and election based. The program allowed me to be exposed to the actual legislative process in our nation's capital and I was able to gain an insiders look at how policy is influenced, made, and implemented by our policy makers."
- Alex Randolph, Congresswoman Susan Davis, Summer 2005.

"Interning at the Department of Justice encompasses my passion for public service and striving for equality. The summer was spent learning from and working with some of the most brilliant lawyers in DC, experienced investigators and passionate leaders. I would not have had such an amazing opportunity had it not been for Cal in the Capital, vast network of Cal alums and supportive friends. By far, it was truly an unforgettable summer of learning and fun!" - Trevor Thanh Nguyen, Department of Justice (Civil Rights Devision), Summer 2005.

"From pursuing independent research for the ABA on civil rights issues to lunches with Cal alumni, my experience with the Cal in the Capital program confirmed that I am definitely moving to D.C. as soon as I graduate!" - Mischa Sammons-Demangate, American Bar Association, Summer 2004.

“Cal in the Capital was an amazing opportunity because it allowed me to truly experience our political system beyond the classroom.”
-Tracy Ross, Americans for Democratic Action, Summer 2004.

"D.C. was amazing.  The political energy was invigorating, and made me realize that D.C. is definitely somewhere I want to find myself in the next few years."
- Lany Or, Alliance for Justice, Summer 2004.

2005 CITC Interns with Congressman Honda

>>back to top

What will CITC do for me?

• A spring CITC DeCal course will prepare you for the internship application process. The class includes: resume editing, business etiquette, mock interviews, alumni networking, weekly guest speakers on current events and national policies, past intern panelists and important information about living in D.C.
• Alumni connections to internship opportunities
• A safe, secure place to live in the heart of the city
• Housing scholarships and access to other helpful funding resources

But most importantly: A chance to meet and spend your summer with other actively involved and politically conscious Cal students.

The Summer 2005 CITC class