For the past three years, the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement at SF State, along with University President Robert Corrigan, has selected one student annually to be awarded the prestigious Panetta Congressional Internship. The recipient is awarded a semester of working in our nation's capital in the office of a California representative.

The internship covers all program costs, including air travel, food and lodging in Monterey and in Washington, D.C., in addition to a stipend.

"It's a free ride," ICCE Program Coordinator Adam Calmenson said. "They pay for everything. They get to meet all kinds of congressmen, former senators, and they're working in D.C."

According to the Panetta Institute's Web site, each September, the Institute hosts students who are appointed by the presidents of each of the 23 California State University campuses, as well as Santa Clara University and Dominican University of California. Participants go on to live in the Washington, D.C. area from late September through mid-December while working on Capitol Hill.

First, however, students are put through two weeks of training courses at CSU Monterey Bay with former White House chief of staff and current CIA Director Leon Panetta and other seasoned veterans who explain how the legislative process works.

Last year, Jennifer McCrea-Steele was the selection from SF State, and she worked in the office of Democratic Representative Jackie Speier.