Alumni Hub

Share your views, earn an honorarium!

We have an incredible opportunity for you on July 19—to learn more about AI, to share your insights with Close Up and Stanford University, and to earn an honorarium for making your voice heard! This July 19 from 1-6pm ET (10am-3pm PT), Close Up and Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab (DDL) are hosting NextGen Roundtable: Perceptions of AI, a free online deliberation for teens aged 14-18, your parents/guardians, and educators nationwide. For taking part with your parent/guardian, you’ll earn an honorarium of $300 per household!

You do not need to be an expert on AI, just someone who is eager to learn, to discuss important issues with others, and to gain exposure to a wide range of views. DDL will compile a report of participants’ views, in aggregate, to share with the public!

Thank you, Johnson & Johnson!

Close Up had the privilege of working with Johnson & Johnson to bring students from every congressional district in Massachusetts and New Jersey to Washington, D.C., for this year’s J&J Scholars Program! During this unforgettable week, students engaged with democracy firsthand and met with their elected officials on Capitol Hill. Hear how this experience inspired them to connect with peers from across the country and speak up for their communities.

The Circle Game

What a treat it was to partner with Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), a Close Up alumnus, to bring TX-07 Civic Scholars to our nation’s capital last month! It was a true full-circle moment: One of our valued student alumni, now a member of Congress, working with Close Up to provide the same empowering experience to students from every high school in her district!

Celebrating our very own St. Patrick!

This year marks an incredible 50 years of partnership between Close Up and Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, Florida! This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering efforts of Belen Jesuit educator Patrick Collins, whose dedication to civic education has left an indelible mark on generations of young people. We’re thrilled to pay tribute to Pat through the Patrick Collins Close Up Scholarship, a fund to support the Close Up experience of deserving Belen Jesuit students with financial need.

Our deepest thanks go out to Pat, to Belen Jesuit, and to all of our donors who are supporting this scholarship to expand opportunities for civic education.

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Looking for an internship in Washington?

Want to get your foot in the door? See who’s looking for interns in our nation’s capital!  

On Capitol Hill, check out the House and Senate employment bulletins. If a move to Washington isn’t possible just yet, reach out to your representative’s district office about local opportunities.

Most cabinet departments have internships for college students or recent graduates, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Department of Homeland Security.

Interested in working in journalism? The NBCUniversal Internship Program has roles all over the country and Fox 5 DC offers an unpaid academic credit program for college juniors and seniors.

Colleges often have advising and career resources—check with your school to see if they can help you find a Washington internship!

How do you write a great resume?

Don’t forget the basics! Include contact information like your address, phone number, and email.  
Don’t simply list the responsibilities of a past job; use action verbs to describe what you did in the role. Highlight the skill used, not the task performed.
In addition to work experience, list any scholarships, academic accolades, or extracurricular organizations. 
List valuable skills, such as proficiency in a particular computer program or the ability to speak more than one language.
Keep it concise. Don’t overwhelm employers with details. Help them focus on the important information.
Consider the format. Keep your resume clear and organized to keep the reader’s attention.
Use formal language. Avoid using personal pronouns like “I” or “we.”
Proofreading is essential! Consider having a friend or parent look over your resume to catch any errors you may have missed.

We want to highlight you!

Where has life taken you since your Close Up experience? What have you carried with you from your time in Washington? Share your story with us—we would love to spotlight your reflections, insights, and achievements!

“I absolutely love and cherish my time with the Close Up program. It was one of the best times in my high school journey. I got the opportunity to learn about D.C., U.S. government, and how you can always make a difference in your community by working together for the common good. In addition to all the learning, I made lifelong friends from places all over the nation and world whom I would have never met if I had not done the program. We are currently trying to plan a trip together to meet up with one another!”

–Jacqueline F., Close Up Alum, 2002  

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