GSPM News

Jobs in Politics

Today, The Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) announced the release of its inaugural eBook: Jobs and Careers in Politics and Public Service: How to Get Started in a Career that Matters. The eBook is designed to help students, young adults, and people in transition build their careers in the political arena.

The eBook is co-authored by Christopher Arterton (Dean of the GSPM), Margaret Gottlieb (GSPM Director of Career Services), and David Ettinger (International Affairs and Political Science Librarian, Gelman Library, and Assistant Professorial Lecturer, Elliott School of International Affairs).

"Job hunting is never easy. In politics and public life, it is doubly difficult," said Arterton. "There's no hiring season and there are few recruiters. Those planning a career or looking for their first job in this field must fend for themselves. This eBook will show you how to get started in this career."

The eBook includes sections on Thinking about Careers in Politics, Paths to Making a Difference in Your Life, Entry Level Jobs in Politics, Strategies for Job Seeking and a Long Term Career, Resources for Finding that Special Job, Case Studies, Networking, Education,Ethics and the Profession of Politics, and Long Term Success. It also contains a resource section on further readings.

"The eBook covers the ‘how to' aspects of finding a job in politics" says Gottlieb. "How to write cover letters, how to interview, how to do resumes, and how to do the research to really find a job instead of just responding to job postings. We think that a lot of people today are so comfortable behind their computer and they respond to web postings, but we really want to show them how to get out there."

Jobs and Careers in Politics and Public Service is available as a free download online at

http://gspm.org/file/careersebook.pdf.

GSPM Names Valedictorian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT:

Julie Germany, 202-994-7635,

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GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY'S GRADUATE SCHOOL OF POLITICAL MANAGEMENT NAMES 2009 VALEDICTORIAN

Student part of GWU's inaugural online Public Relations Master's program

Washington, DC - George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) has named Rhonda J. Ellis the school's 2009 valedictorian.  A student in GSPM's inaugural online Strategic Public Relations master's program, Ellis was conferred the Henry D. Paley Award in recognition of her academic excellence and achievement in a May 16 ceremony at Lisner Auditorium on the GW campus.

Ellis earned her recognition while employed full time, taking advantage of GSPM's new online Strategic Public Relations program.  As valedictorian for the entire school's students, both traditional and online, Ellis demonstrates that academic excellence is no longer just the province of an on-campus learning environment.

"We're very proud of Rhonda Ellis's achievement in the Strategic PR Program," said Chris Arterton, Dean of the GSPM. "She reflects the GSPM's history of service and accomplishment, as well as its future."

"The rigor and depth of GW's public relations program has changed my self view and approach to communications with research and strategic thinking assuming a more central role," says Ellis.  "The online format created a tight-knit, world-wide student community free of visual filters and allowed us to benefit from the rich resources available on the Internet."

The Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Public Relations program within GSPM focuses on the public policy system and the advocacy role played by public relations firms and communications operations within corporate, government and non-profit organizations.  Both classroom and online venues are offered.  Ellis was part of the first class to graduate from the Strategic Public Relations program, which was launched in September 2007.

Ellis is employed by Pepco Holdings, Inc., a Fortune 500 energy company serving
1.9 million customers in Washington, D.C., and the mid-Atlantic region. Ellis has progressed through a variety of communications positions, currently serving as Manager, Management & Employee Communications, responsible for executive, shareholder and internal communications.  She earned her undergraduate degree in International Relations from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.  Ellis lives in Annapolis, Md., with her husband, Dave.

The Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) at The George Washington University seeks to improve politics by educating its students and professionals in the tools, principles and values of participatory democracy, preparing them for careers as ethical and effective advocates and leaders at the international, national and local levels.

The Strategic PR Program, housed in the GSPM, focuses on preparing its students to navigate the intersection of public policy, media and business and to advise clients and employers on ethical and effective communications strategies to achieve business goals.

For more information about GW's Graduate School of Political Management and its Strategic PR Program, visit http://www.gspm.org.

- GSPM -

White House and Lobbyists Clashed at The GSPM

On Tuesday morning, points of view clashed over proper restrictions on lobbying and the White House. Between two speeches and two panels, former members of congress, representatives of the lobbying community, and many others debated the right to petition government. It was a lively debate highlighted by a speech from Norman Eisen, Special Counsel to The President for Ethics and Government Reform.

The speakers included:

Bob Edgar of Common Cause

Butler Derrick, Former Member of Congress (D-SC)

Joel Jankowsky, Akin Group

Dave Wenhold, American League of Lobbyists

Jonathan Turley, GW Professor of Law

Norman Eisen, The White House

Leo Wise, Office of Congressional Ethics

Ellen Miller, Sunlight Foundation

Melanie Sloan, CREW

Ron Christie, Christie Strategies

Moderators: Steven Roberts of GW and Al Hunt of Bloomberg News