University Honors Program

By Kaitlin Lewis

Every spring, the Dayton2DC program offers students a chance to talk to real professionals about what life and careers are like in our nation’s capital. Students selected for the program visit Washington, D.C. for three days to network with alumni who hold positions on Capitol Hill, lobbying firms, nonprofits, and more. As a joint effort between the Political Science department, the College of Art and Sciences, and the Honors program, the goal of Dayton2DC is for students to gain insight into starting their potential careers in D.C. The program is open to all majors, and while it is a huge help to students who are part of the DC Flyers program as well, Dayton2DC is available for any students interested in working in D.C. 

Senior Jacob Montgomery, a Mechanical Engineer major with minors in Aerospace Engineering and International Studies, looked into Dayton2DC as a way to introduce him to potential work environments he might see in his future internship with the DC Flyers program in the summer of 2020. Montgomery attend the 2019 Dayton2DC trip and his three days were jam-packed with meeting alumni, both in group settings and on individual levels. Montgomery says meeting with a Flyer one-on-one was one of the best parts of his experience.

“This part in particular was very insightful because personally I had a great conversation,” said Montgomery. “Getting to know a Flyer on a personal level and asking them lots of tough questions about living and working in DC was very helpful. And because of the huge diversity of these meetings, there is something for everyone to enjoy and learn.”

Another student who attended the 2019 Dayton2DC trip was senior Elyse McMahon, a Human Rights major with minors in Political Science and Social Work. McMahon was a part of the 2019 DC Flyers cohort and used Dayton2DC as a chance to network with alumni who share a similar interest in advocacy as she does. McMahon says that similar to Montgomery, the Dayton2DC trip was very helpful in preparing her for the following summer where she would be living and working in D.C. 

“I became familiar with how to navigate DC and became aware of organizations that I was interested in interning at,” said McMahon. “Most importantly, Dayton2DC made me excited and hopeful for my upcoming summer as a DC Flyer.”

The Dayton2DC 2020 trip takes place in the first weekend of March (4th-7th). Participants have already been selected for this trip, and contribute some money themselves to help cover the cost of the three days. For any student interested in a future career in D.C., or for students on the fence about applying for the program, past students like Montgomery and McMahon assure that they will not regret their experience in Dayton2DC. 

“The number of people you can speak to in a short amount of time is incredibly valuable and unique,” said McMahon. “Look into the people you hope to talk to while you are in DC don't be afraid to ask to take a fellow Flyer alum to coffee. You will learn so much from professionals who have similar interests as you.”