ABOUT WISE

Each year, the WISE societies select outstanding 3rd or 4th year engineering students in a nation-wide competition. The students spend nine (9) weeks in the summer in Washington, D.C. During the internship they learn how government officials make decisions on complex technological issues and how engineers can contribute to legislative and regulatory public policy decisions.

Throughout the program, the students interact with leaders in Congress and the Administration, industry, and prominent non-governmental organizations. Meetings with congressional Committees, executive office departments, and corporate government affairs offices are daily activities.

In addition, each student researches and presents a paper on a topical engineering-related public policy issue that is important to the sponsoring society. Review the WISE Research Products for examples.

The students work under the guidance of a prominent engineering or public policy professor who serves as Faculty-Member-in-Residence.  Students also interact with and are mentored by representatives of their sponsoring societies.

The WISE Internship is not a paid internship in the traditional sense:

• Students receive a stipend of $2,100.00 to assist with living and travel expenses.
• Housing is provided; participants are housed in a dormitory on the campus of George Washington University in the heart of Washington, DC.

Here are some examples of what others have had to say about the WISE program:

"As a Congressman and engineer, I am very pleased to see the engineering societies help future leaders of the engineering profession learn about the role of public policy in science and technology. WISE is a truly outstanding program." -- Joe Barton, U.S. Representative, Texas

One of American's Top-100 Internships--The Princeton Review of Internships, 1994

And here are what some WISE Alumni have to say about their own experiences:

"WISE was the most intensive, stimulating, broadening, and fun-filled ten weeks I've ever spent. It also had a major influence on my career goals." -- Paul E. Faeth, Former WISE Intern

"Almost fifteen years after the fact, WISE still stands out as a highlight of my engineering education. I now work in alternative fuels, and much of what we do is highly influenced and/or directed by government policy. The how's and why's of public policy would have been a complete mystery had it not been for the WISE experience." -- Dean Case, 1985 WISE Intern (now with Nissan North America)

"The WISE program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I strongly urge any eligible candidates to apply. I learned more in the WISE program than I did from any internship in industry." -- Keith White, 1995 WISE Intern (now with General Motors Corporation, currently attending Harvard Business School)

I had a really great summer, however, the WISE experience does not end in the summer. I have made lasting (so far) relationships not only with my fellow WISE guys, but also professional contacts that I am trying to use to get a job in Washington. You hooked this engineer." -- Joshua Charm (1999 WISE Intern)

Here are testimonials by WISE program alumni.

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WISE Webmaster: Chris Brantley, c.brantley@ieee.org
09 February 2011