Founded in 1980 through the collaborative efforts of several professional engineering societies, the Washington Internships for Students of Engineering has become one of the premier Washington internship programs.   Its goal is to groom future leaders of the engineering profession who are aware of and can contribute to the important intersections of technology and public policy.

"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.

And last but not least, here are some comments made by recent WISE Interns in their anonymous program evaluation:

• I totally enjoyed my internship in Washington.  I encourage students to apply to the program.  In my case, I went to Washington as an innocent and returned fully prepared to participate in the great debate over ways to enhance the role of the engineer in public policy making.  I have a better understanding of the challenges facing the engineering profession in the political arena.

• The WISE program gave me both a depth and breadth of experience.  I learned about all types of engineering topics, but also became an "expert" in my individual research topic.

• The WISE program is a great experience for any engineering student interested in public policy. The contacts you make and opportunities you hear about can pay great dividends down the road. And working on a specific issue gives you a good overview of how complex engineering and policy decisions really are.

• WISE is great experience to explore Washington DC from an engineering perspective.  It is different than other internships, because the summer is truly what you make of it.  You are given the freedom to research your own interests and make valuable contacts.

• WISE is definitely worth the time and effort of applying. The experience is priceless and useful for any engineer determining whether or not public policy is for them.

• WISE shows you another side of how engineering is affected, more than equations.

• WISE allowed me to see Washington for what it really is. It clarified a host of misconceptions I had after taking US Government classes, and it took away my inaccurate belief that politics don’t affect engineering.

• The WISE program stimulated my desire to continue engineering work in the public policy arena.  WISE instilled confidence in me to conduct thoughtful, primary research in the resource-rich Washington area.

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WISE Webmaster: Chris Brantley, c.brantley@ieee.org
(Last Update: 03/25/09 )