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RELEASED: Aug. 18, 2005
DANVILLE, KY—For two Centre College students, the end of summer signals the conclusion not of vacation excursions but of successful internships in Washington D.C.
Senior Melissa Reid and junior Mike Samford recently completed internships at the U.S. Department of Labor, where each conducted independent research projects and gained valuable insights into Capitol Hill life.
Samford and Reid, whose work on the Hill was discussed in a previous Centre news release [http://www.centre.edu/web/news/2005/dcinterns05.html], both had the opportunity to meet U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao during their time in Washington.
"The Department of Labor is investing in the future leaders of America—our young people," says Chao of the Centre interns. "Regardless of what they will do, this internship provides young people with the unique opportunity to learn about our government and the tremendous impact it has on people's lives."
Chao, along her husband, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, visited Centre's campus in 2003 to deliver the commencement address. Both Chao and McConnell were awarded honorary degrees at the time.
For Reid, who is interested in labor policy and labor law, the opportunity to work under Chao was a privilege. "Secretary Chao has always been one of my role models," says Reid.
Samford says of his experience, "the internship is a great opportunity to make new acquaintances. It provides wonderful work experience, and I get to live in Washington for a summer." Samford plans to attend law school after he graduates from Centre in 2007.
Centre has long encouraged students to seek out and apply for engaging internships that provide valuable experience outside the classroom. In addition to the Department of Labor, Centre internships have been completed at institutions such as the White House, the British Parliament and the Centers for Disease Control.
To recognize the importance of internships in the development of a student's career path, Centre includes internships as part of the Centre Commitment. The Centre Commitment promises all students meeting the College's academic and social expectations an internship, study abroad and graduation in four consecutive years, or the College will provide an additional year of study tuition free. For more information on internships visit [http://www.centre.edu/web/admission/publications/internships.html].
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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/
For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.
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