2009 Grad Interns at White House

   For the second time in three years, a Franklin & Marshall College alumnus was selected from a national pool of applicants to participate in the competitive White House Internship Program. Zachary Schreiber, a member of the Class of 2013, is one of about 150 interns working in Washington, D.C., this semester as part of the White House's Fall 2013 internship program, which began in early September and continues through December. The program this year drew students and alumni from institutions such as Harvard University, the University of California at Berkeley and Bowdoin College, among others. Schreiber said his education at F&M and the guidance he received from the College's Office of Student & Post-Graduate Development helped prepare him for the work.

   "A typical day in the White House will involve conducting research, scheduling interviews, organizing and tracking information, and helping at White House events for appointees," he said. "When I had specific questions about the internship, the Office of Student & Post Graduate Development put me in touch with students and alumni who had taken part in the internship program. These meetings really helped me get a sense of what the internship would be like and what I could do to make the most of my time at the White House."

   Those alumni include 1995 graduate Donnell Butler, F&M's senior associate dean for planning and analysis of student outcomes, and Akbar Hossain, a 2013 graduate who was the College's first recipient of the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship, said Kathy Babb, senior student development adviser with the Office of Student & Post-Graduate Development.

Babb said Schreiber, who she advised through the application process, showed drive and initiative that made him a good fit for the White House internship program.

   "Zach's a doer," she said. "He's open to getting new experiences, and has a passion for the communications aspect of politics."

   Overall, Schreiber said, interning at the White House has been a valuable learning opportunity. "My experiences at the White House have had an immeasurable impact on how I conduct myself professionally, as an employee and as a leader," he said. "Whether it’s keeping a positive attitude, double-checking my work, or lending a helping hand, the lessons I have learned observing and interacting with the seasoned professionals at the White House have tremendously strengthened my work ethic and sense of confidence."