History Student Thrives in Transformative Internship

History Student Thrives in Transformative Internship

By Eric Breier

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Clayton Manassero was reading through an email newsletter from Cal State San Marcos' Career Center when he came across an opportunity that sounded almost too good to be true.

It was for a semester-long program in Washington, D.C., where students could earn up to 20 semester credits while learning from government leaders and policy experts from across the nation. One of the biggest selling points? All expenses would be covered by the Panetta Institute for Public Policy.

"I almost didn't believe it," Manassero said.

But Manassero started researching the institute and its Panetta Congressional Internship program, which has benefited California State University students for more than two decades.

"It's just a very supportive program," said Manassero, who is on track to graduate from CSUSM with a bachelor's in history this May. "The Panetta Institute is very generous, and I'm very grateful for that. One of the reasons that someone like me could go out there - and pretty much most of us who were in the program could - is because the expenses are all covered. They want to provide this experience and get people interested in public policy, and that means involving people who normally wouldn't be able to get involved. I'm just very grateful for them."

The Panetta Institute annually selects one student from each CSU campus as well as Dominican University of California, Saint Mary's College and Santa Clara University to participate in the program.

Manassero was selected as CSUSM's representative after a process that included a panel interview with the Career Center, a meeting with President Ellen Neufeldt and a final interview with the Panetta Institute.

The program matches interns with a member of the California congressional delegation based on their interests. Manassero worked in the office of Congressman Kevin Mullin, who represents the state's 15^th district, which covers an area south of San Francisco.

Manassero joined other program participants in Monterey last August for a rigorous two-week orientation at the Panetta Institute, which was founded in 1997 by former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and his wife, Sylvia. Then it was off to Washington for a 2½-month assignment on Capitol Hill.

"It was really transformative to talk to constituents on the phone and be that first line of support for them," said Manassero, who plans to attend law school. "Every intern's experience is different, but for me, I really felt like I was making a difference by talking to people and making sure their concerns were heard. It was very exciting."

The experience was life-changing, and Manassero hopes other CSUSM students consider applying for 2026. The program is open to upper-division students of all majors. Students can apply through the Career Center website by submitting a two-page essay, a resume, academic transcripts and a copy of a recently graded paper. The Career Center will host virtual information sessions about the program at noon on Feb. 17 and 26. Complete details on the sessions and applying for the internship are available on the Career Center's Panetta Congressional Internship website.

Manassero emphasized that students shouldn't be hesitant about applying.

"We had people who were child development majors in D.C. with us, we had finance majors, we had accounting majors, global business majors. We had all these different majors, so anyone who's interested should apply," Manassero said. "And no matter what degree you have, there is probably a place in government for you. If you have a child development major, maybe you'll work in the Department of Education or Health and Human Services one day. You never know, so why not apply?

"Meeting the Panettas, my time in Monterey Bay, my time in D.C., all of it was just such a wonderful experience. And I'm very grateful to the Career Center, to President Neufeldt and to the Panetta Institute."

Learn more about the Panetta Congressional Internship by visiting the Career Center's website.

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