Senior communications media student Joshua Nixon will spend his summer interning in Washington, DC as part of the Washington Center's Veterans Employment Trajectory (VET) Initiative.
From a pool of nationwide applications, Nixon is one of 20 students selected and, according to IUP's Career and Professional Development Center, he is the first student from IUP accepted into this program.
Nixon signed up for the military with his twin brother, Jeremy, and was a petroleum and supply specialist for the US Army Reserves from 2009 to 2017 before transferring to IUP. As a student, Nixon says he took the advice of the Communications Media Department faculty and got involved in department activities, and he intends to take a similar approach with his summer internship.
"That's one of the things that excites me about being part of the VET Initiative," said Nixon. "When I read the online testimonials about the Washington Center, this seems like one of those opportunities where the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it."
Nixon learned of TWC and its programs through Jim Lenze, the internship coordinator for Communications Media. "The Washington Center has become one of the preeminent internships for our students, consistently, year after year," Lenze said.
The VET Initiative is an immersive internship program designed to help students translate their skills developed in the military and in college into a successful career. Through the program, Nixon will be matched with a full-time internship that fits his goals, and he will be supported with individual mentoring opportunities. The internship is fully funded and includes a stipend to offset living expenses. Nixon hopes to work for an organization doing video production, editing, and graphics. The summer program also includes the opportunity to attend the Veterans Summit, hosted by TWC's corporate sponsors.
The Washington Center provides access to a wide selection of internship opportunities and seminars in Washington, DC. IUP's Career and Professional Development Center coordinates applications for students to be considered for this program.