Ensuring Diversity on Capitol Hill

Kickstarting careers begins with a single internship.

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Karina Perez '18 (Political Science) is working as a research assistant for strategy and integration at Aerospace Industries Association in Washington, D.C. She also serves on the Space Generation Advisory Council and runs a conference showcasing careers in the aerospace industry to young professionals and students. Simply put, thanks to the Washington D.C. internship program at CSUN, Karina is living her dream of working in the space industry. 

“Tuition costs for the program are the same as the cost of tuition at CSUN, but housing in Washington D.C. is more expensive,” Karina said. “Luckily, I got financial help from the program. Without it, it would have been difficult for me to participate in the program.”

Like Karina, students in the program secure internships that are tailored to their career goals, allowing them to begin building their professional network, develop as professionals and enhance their skillset.

“Having an internship with the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology opened so many doors,” she said. “I have my job today because of the influence of the people I met in the science industry and the experience itself.”

Karina also is proud that she could represent diversity on Capitol Hill, something she observed to be lacking.

“CSUN does an incredible job of sending interns from diverse backgrounds to D.C.,” Karina continued. “But there are many more students with incredible talent that can’t make it to D.C. because of the financial burden.”

For Karina, the internship kickstarted her career in the aerospace industry. Your donation helps other CSUN students make their dreams a reality.