Workshops & Training

The Koch Summer Fellow Program includes two weeklong seminars at the beginning and end of the program. Throughout the summer, Fellows continue learning through weekly evening speakers and career workshops.

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

Opening Seminar  

Before starting the internship, all fellows travel to the Washington, DC, area for a week-long seminar featuring intensive lectures and discussion groups. The seminar gives fellows the opportunity to learn from faculty and to meet each other before starting their internships. 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

Lecture Series

During the internship, fellows attend or view via live webcast a series of events featuring speakers, panels, and discussions on current issues led by scholars and policy experts. Past lectures include:

• "Values-Based Communication" Fred Smith, President, Competitive Enterprise Institute
• "The Shackled Continent" with Robert Guest, Washington Correspondent, The Economist
• "The Importance of Liberty and Fighting for It" with Charles Murray, Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
• "Commerce, Privacy, and Internet Regulation" with Declan McCullagh, Washington Correspondent, Wired Magazine
• "Campaign Finance Reform" with Bradley Smith, former Federal Election Commissioner
• "Global Climate Change Panel" with Drs. Michael MacCracken and Kenneth Green
• "What Civil Rights Ought To Be About" with Gerald Reynolds, U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner 
• "Effecting Change through Government" with The Hon. Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary of the Interior
• Voting Like a Federalist" with The Hon. Ron Paul (R-TX), U.S. House of Representatives

"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 during career workshops given by seasoned professionals.

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

Final Seminar

During the final week of the program, fellows return to Washington, DC, for a "business conference" seminar where they are challenged to apply their public policy knowledge and new career skills.

• Fellows present their group research projects for critique by policy experts and their peers.
• "Real-world" policy exercises challenge fellows to apply their analytical skills and policy knowledge.
• An awards ceremony and closing dinner wrap up the week. Awards include: best policy presentation groups and individuals, best media interviewing groups and individuals, best policy strategy activist groups, and more!