Image of the White House Press briefing room with a man in a suit jacket standing in front of the podium, smiling. — O’Neill Public Safety Management major Grant Colestock stands in the White House Press Briefing room during a tour for his Washington Leadership Program experience.

To learn more about the Washington Leadership Program, visit the O’Neill IUPUI website at this link. Applications are open for the fall 2023 and spring 2024 cohorts, with the next application deadline of February 24, 2023.

Written by: Grant Colestock, O’Neill IUPUI Public Safety Management major and Washington Leadership Program alumnus

In fall 2022, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the O’Neill School’s Washington Leadership Program, an experience I highly recommend to anyone and one you will not regret. The experience is best broken down into its three primary areas: the internship, your classes, and life in Washington, D.C.

The internship

Two men stand in a classroom shaking hands and smiling for the camera. — Grant Colestock meets USMS Director Ronald Davis.

Students are responsible for securing an internship for the duration of their time in our nation’s capital, with support from O’Neill’s Career Services team. And there is a plethora of internship opportunities in both the private and public sectors available in Washington, D.C.

I had the chance to intern with the United States Marshal Service in their Human Resources Division. In my role, I helped others searching for USMS internship information by connecting them to networks within their desired districts. I also consulted with different branches of the USMS and other federal agencies to conduct in-person tours or virtual information sessions with other USMS interns. I was also charged with providing accurate, consistent, and innovative Human Resources services, products, and programs that would build, shape, and support our workforce and the USMS’ missions.

The classes

While the internship takes up a lot of your time, the Washington Leadership Program also ensures its students gain a deeper understanding of our political system through two courses focused on the federal government process.

A young man wearing a flannel shirt stands in front of the entry sign for Quantico. — Grant Colestock was able to visit Marine Corps Base Quantico during his time in the Washington Leadership Program.

In one class, we learned about how policy is established—the authorization process, the appropriations process, the budget process, and the regulatory process. This class helped us learn how to understand, read, and research bills, public laws, statutes, and regulations.

The other class examined the roles of congressional offices, executive branch agencies, nonprofits, and other Washington-based organizations in the process. Learning about the goals and missions of these different groups provides a better understanding of how federal policy is debated and developed. We also attended a lecture series on the organizational structure of Congress and the Executive Branch, attended congressional hearings, and heard from speakers about current policy debates.

All of our classes culminated in a final project: a mock hearing. During the hearing, we broke into groups to develop a presentation on a recent policy issue from the legislative perspective.

The experience

The Washington Leadership Program goes beyond academics and internships. It gives you a life experience that will broaden your professional and social networks as you make new friends with other interns and individuals from your cohort.

A group of young people stand in front of Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C. — One of Grant Colestock’s favorite Washington, D.C. stops: Ben’s Chili Bowl

Washington, D.C. is a fantastic city. You’ll be able to experience many different foods—my favorite was Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street—culture festivals, free museums, sporting events, and other free events.

The only downfall is that Washington, D.C. also can be an expensive city to live in. That’s why I recommend taking advantage of this opportunity while you are in school, when you have financial aid and scholarships to help cover some costs. During the course of this program, money was my biggest obstacle. My internship was unpaid and, as a result, I worried about money 24/7. However, I even learned lessons in that struggle. It helped me learn to create and stick to a weekly budget, forcing me to prioritize my needs versus wants. While budgeting was challenging at times, I enjoyed much of the entertainment Washington, D.C. has to offer. I also had to learn to budget my time wisely. Even though I spent five months living there, I did not get to do everything I planned on doing.

At first glance, the Washington Leadership Program may seem overwhelming. But I’m here as proof that it is not only manageable but is incredibly beneficial, personally, academically, and professionally.

The skills I gained from my WLP classes and USMS internship have shaped me and helped enhance my professional skills while also helping me create excellent connections that will accelerate my career. In the next chapter of my life, I plan to apply for the USMS back in Washington, D.C. and work toward my dream job working with the Organized Crime and Gang Division once I graduate in May 2023.

To learn more about the Washington Leadership Program, visit the O’Neill IUPUI website at this link. Applications are open for the fall 2023 and spring 2024 cohorts, with the next application deadline of February 24, 2023.