Workshops & Training

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The Koch Summer Fellow Program includes career and policy seminars, before and after the eight-week internship. Throughout the summer, Fellows attend policy lectures and career workshops (in-person or remotely). The program also includes writing assignments and group research projects where Fellows apply new policy analysis skills. 

"The best speakers, the best thinkers, the best people—a great summer!"
~ Ezra Levant, University of Alberta

Opening Seminar  

Students in lecture hall
The weeklong opening seminar, outside Washington, DC, is a crash course on market-based policy analysis and its intellectual foundations, and includes career sessions on topics such as networking and resume writing. Fellows meet and get to know each other during discussion groups and workshops, before starting their internships. 

Seminar topics include:

  • The intellectual history of rights, limited government, and political economy
  • Market process analysis—a framework for analyzing policy
  • The role of law in society
  • How to apply economic analysis to current policy issues
  • How to write effectively and get published
  • Tips for resume writing and job interviewing

"Easily the most intense and rewarding academic experience of my life." – Doug Dillman, Rice University

Weekly Lecture Series

During the internship, Fellows attend a series of lectures and panel discussions (in-person or remotely) on current issues led by scholars and policy experts. Past lectures include:

  • "Effecting Policy Change through Government," The Hon. Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary of the Interior
  • "Voting Like a Federalist," The Hon. Ron Paul (R-TX), U.S. House of Representatives
  • “Stateless in Somalia,” Ben Powell, Suffolk University
  • “New Media in the Policy World,” Cord Blomquist, Mercatus Center

"All the Fellows were open and eager to discuss issues and ideas." – Marilyn Ho, University of California, San Diego

Career Workshops

Fellows gain practical knowledge from career workshops given by seasoned professionals throughtout the program.

  • Résumé and cover letter writing sessions with a career advisor
  • Mock job interviews to describe your skills and experience and perfect your 30-second elevator pitch
  • Public speaking workshops
  • Radio and television interviewing techniques presented by a former radio producer for Larry King

Final Seminar

Fellows presenting group research project

During the last week of the program, Fellows return to Washington, DC, for a "business conference" seminar where they apply their public policy knowledge and career skills.

  • Fellows present their group research projects to policy experts and other Fellows
  • "Real-world" policy exercises, such as creating an issue education campaign strategy

An awards ceremony and closing dinner conclude the final seminar. Awards include:

  • Best policy presentation
  • Best media interviewing
  • Best policy campaign strategy 
  • And many more, including some whimsical categories

Publishing and Research 

Koch Summer Fellowship Program