The Summit is an exclusive opportunity for the Schaeffer Fellows cohort to meet, network, and participate in interactive sessions. Together, Fellows reflect on their internship experience, explore public service across all levels of government, and examine their career interests and ambitions. The central program funds Fellows’ attendance in addition to their stipend.

In June 2023, fifty Schaeffer Fellows gathered in Washington, D.C. for the annual Schaeffer Fellows Summit. The theme, “A Day in the Life of a Government Intern,” was selected to provide dedicated time for each Fellow to share about their day-to-day internship responsibilities and explore areas of potential growth for the summer. During the Summit, Schaeffer Fellows met with their peers and guest speakers to discuss achievements, challenges, and short- and long-term goals related to their government internship and engaged citizenship. Pictured: River Reynolds (Princeton) & Nivea Krishnan (USC) speak about post-graduate plans at the Summit.

Leonard Schaeffer shared his personal experience as an undergraduate congressional intern who “saved American democracy” with his knowledge of the legislative process and helped to prevent a misleading bill from becoming law. He expressed to the group how important it is to have good people in government who can do good work for their fellow citizens. He also addressed topics such as pursuing career ambitions and balancing personal and professional goals. Pictured: Leonard Schaeffer responding to questions from Fellows.

Schaeffer Fellows engaged in individual and group reflection about identifying personal core values and how those values might inform their professional interests and motivations. Fellows also shared their goals for the internship summer. Presenters offered Fellows advice for expanding their professional network and posed important questions to aid Fellows in learning more about government service and their prospective career path. Fellows received personal business cards and practiced direct networking with peers and public service professionals during the event. Pictured: Vincent Cisneros (USC) and Chloe Park (Berkeley) discuss their shared interests.

An esteemed panel of public service leaders spoke about their experience in different areas of government. Panelists shared about their early career development and how they went about identifying roles aligned with their professional values.

Fellows participated in breakout sessions to dive deeper into candid conversations about short- and long-term goals. Fellows participated in peer-to-peer conversations about their internship responsibilities, engaged in open Q&A with program alumni, and workshopped with UVA Career Center and Miller Center staff to strategize post-graduate opportunities. Pictured: Diya Kraybill (Princeton) discusses her internship with Caleb Kuo (UVA).

Schaeffer Fellows engaged in individual and group reflection about identifying personal core values and how those values might inform their professional interests and motivations. Fellows also shared their goals for the internship summer. Presenters offered Fellows advice for expanding their professional network and posed important questions to aid Fellows in learning more about government service and their prospective career path. Fellows received personal business cards and practiced direct networking with peers and public service professionals during the event. Pictured: Vincent Cisneros (USC) and Chloe Park (Berkeley) discuss their shared interests.

One of the primary benefits of hosting an in-person Summit is the opportunity for Schaeffer Fellows to interact with their peers interning in government around the U.S. and form connections with students from different universities who have a common interest in learning more about government operations.

The Summit agenda included an afternoon for Fellows to explore Washington, D.C. They visited important historical sites, and local Fellows were able to share with their peers about their experience living and working in our nation’s capital city.