The new millennium will set off a great many things at Ohio State. At The John Glenn Institute, it will mark the beginning of a new internship program involving between 18 and 20 Franklin County high school seniors and the state government.
The John Glenn Precollegiate Internship Program will allow top students to gain first-hand experience in the government’s political and policy-making processes during their final semesters of high school.
“Student interns will be placed at the Governor‘s office, the state Supreme Court, selected state agencies and not-for-profit organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, depending on individual students’ interest and skills,” said Herb Asher, interim director of the institute.
Asher said that student interns will attend academic courses at their high schools during the morning and work at their internship placements in the afternoon from Monday to Friday. Student interns will work about four hours a day with no payment.
“The mission of The John Glenn internship program is to acquaint our top high school seniors to the public service setting, and hopefully to encourage young people to consider careers in public life and public service,” Asher said.
“Student interns can get a sense of working at a public service area and it will help them when they are looking for a job,” he said.
The internship experience also will include a related seminar course about political procedures and institutions each Friday.
According to a brochure about the institute, the internship program is being introduced gradually as a three-year pilot program. While students throughout Franklin County will participate during the first year, additional students will be recruited from the six contiguous counties during the second year. By the third year, the program will expand to include 135 students from across Ohio.
The John Glenn Institute, established in September of 1998, is committed to enhancing public service opportunities and experiences for students as well as examining and enhancing the state of public service in America today.
The public service component of the John Glenn Institute is centered on former Senator Glenn’s firm belief for active citizen participation in democracy.
Glenn wrote, in the brochure, “the vitality of our democracy depends on the active participation of each generation of citizens … The mission of The Ohio State University nurtures active citizenship in our young people to the great benefit of Ohio and the nations.”
Applicants must carry at least a B average. An admission committee will consider applicants’ essays and letters of recommendations as well as conduct interviews.
The deadline for applications is Nov. 24 and the announcement of selected interns will be made by Dec. 15.
