Want to know more about the structure and processes of the political and not-for-profit worlds? Consider taking advantage of the Center's Civic Skills Training. Since the program's inception in the fall of 2004, the number of students who have participated in the Civic Skills Training in Washington, D.C. has grown steadily. These students' experiences have provided them with an intellectual framework for analyzing the political and nonprofit worlds and taught them practical skills for their upcoming internships.
The Civic Skills Training takes place three times a year (in March, June and September). If selected you will go to Washington, D.C., for a five-day training session. The Rockefeller Center covers the cost of round-trip travel to and from D.C. and arranges for your accommodations in the Washington metropolitan area. The training includes meetings and sessions around the city and provides an excellent opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with Washington. The location is especially helpful for those students whose internships are located in the D.C. area. Learn about Current CST Participants, and Past CST Participants.
The curriculum for each of the five training days builds cumulatively in order to provide a comprehensive, and coherent picture of the public and nonprofit sectors. You will participate in workshops on such topics as:
Public speaking
Networking
Resource mobilization
Media relations
Goal setting and program management
Workplace skills and professionalism
You will also have the opportunity to meet with Dartmouth alumni and other professionals working in the civic sector. They will provide you with valuable contacts, insights, and perspectives. Below is a sampling of the types of organizations from which we draw our trainers:
Media and communications agencies
Think tanks
Lobby groups
The legislative and executive branches of government
Submit a CST Application [.Pdf] to the Rockefeller Center via e-mail to Rockefeller Student Programs.
Applications are due in August for the Fall term, February for the Spring term, and May for the Summer term Civics Skills Training. See the Rockefeller Center Calendar for specific due dates of application.
Danielle Thompson, assistant director for Student and Public Programs
Suzanne Todd, coordinator, Training and Internship Programs
