Internship Opportunity - Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

Throughout the year, we have been blogging about the importance of internships for professional development and networking opportunities. Internships are a great way to gain experience in your field, build your resume, and make connections with future employers. On a personal level, internships are also a great way to travel, earn some money, and make new friends!

This past summer, I applied and was selected to intern with the United States Census Bureau as a Statistician through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program (HNIP). It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has helped me grow as a student, professional, and individual. I encourage Take Stock in Children graduates to apply for this amazing opportunity 

Fellow HACU interns and I

in front of the Capitol in Washington, DC

(second to the right, second row)

THE SCOOP The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1986. The HACU National Internship Program (HNIP) is an internship program that places students in federal and corporate internships in the summer, spring, and fall of each year. HNIP was started in 1992 with only 24 students and one internship site. Today, HNIP serves nearly 700 students per year at over 40 internship sites nationwide!

BENEFITS One of the best parts about HNIP? It’s paid! There are different pay scales based on your education level/year in college (i.e. sophomore, junior, senior, graduate student) ranging from $470 -$570/week. Additional benefits include airfare provided to and from your internship site, orientation in Washington, DC (with travel and lodging provided), housing arranged by HNIP staff, opportunities to live in another city, and of course, opportunities for professional development.


Exploring the beautiful National Mall

OPPORTUNITIES Personally, many of my friends from the program were signed on to full-time positions through their internship site. HNIP has a variety of Federal partners, including the Department of Treasury, Department of Commerce, Office of Personnel Management, US Census Bureau, Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, and more. In terms of corporate partners, HNIP interns have been placed with companies such as Apple, Sodexho, Lockheed Martin, and IBM. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from business, mathematics, journalism, and sociology, so there is a place for everyone! While the majority of interns work in Washington DC, other potential sites include Anchorage, Alaska; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Seattle, Washington. If you are looking for the opportunity to live abroad, this is the program for you.

CHECK IT OUT I made so many friends through this program that I am still in touch with today. Because interns are coming from all over, I now have friends from California, Texas, DC, and even Puerto Rico. At a recent graduate school interview in Boston, I was asked about my experience with statistics, a pertinent skill for the field I wish to pursue; needless to say, my interviewers were quite impressed that I worked as a Statistician with the US Census Bureau. HACU has provided me with lifelong friends and experiences to cherish for years to come. I encourage all TSIC students to check out this program for a great opportunity to live abroad and enrich your life.

For more info and eligibility, please email awhitcomb@takestockinchildren.org or visit www.hacu.net for more info!


-Allie Whitcomb
AmeriCorps College Success Coach