Native American Congressional Internship
Apply - Information for References
Udall Interns are selected primarily on the basis of their interest in learning
about the federal government, their interest in tribal
public policy or tribal governance, and their desire to support
tribal communities. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong
research and writing skills, high academic achievement, maturity
and responsibility, leadership potential, and the ability
to work well with others.
Letters of recommendation must be emailed to the Program Manager by 11:59 pm PST on
.
In your recommendation letter
- Address the applicant's values, interests, goals, and/or ambitions that demonstrate
interest in federal Indian policy, and commitment
to tribal communities and/or Indian country;
- Discuss the candidate's intelligence, academic performance, analytical, research
and writing abilities, and other characteristics;
- Give examples of the applicant's leadership, community involvement and participation
in American Indian cultural events, tribal
community activities, or tribal government;
- Describe a significant contribution that the applicant has made to his or her tribal
community, or to Indian country; and
- Address the candidate's personal characteristics (confidence, maturity, poise, motivation
and so forth) that you feel would contribute
to the applicant's success as a Udall Intern.
A strong recommendation letter will
Help the selection committee understand in what capacity and context you know the
applicant: as their tribal leader or community member,
research supervisor, through volunteer activities, professional
experience, and for what length of time. Whenever possible, indicate
that you know the applicant personally. Summarizing activities listed
on the resume or reviewing the transcript is not particularly
helpful to our readers.
Provide concrete evidence of the applicant's leadership and service activities.
The more specific the examples, the better. The most
effective letters use narrative technique to highlight the applicant
in action, as an innovator, activist, volunteer, researcher, or
teaching assistant, and convey the applicant's enthusiasm and dedication.
Convey to readers the scope of responsibility the applicant assumed; readers look
for evidence of results. What impact did the
applicant's actions have?
Address the internship criteria specifically. Readers look for sustained participation
in tribal activities; assumption of leadership
roles; evidence of initiative, maturity, and responsibility; strong
writing and research skills; and coursework or research that
complements their activities and career goals.