Tweet
ANCA CAPITAL GATEWAY PROGRAM BEGINS FOURTH YEAR OF OPENING DOORS FOR YOUNG ARMENIAN AMERICANS
ArmRadio.am
07.12.2006 12:15
The Armenian National Committee of America's Capital Gateway Program -
the innovative Armenian American job placement program now approaching
its fourth year of operations in the nation's capital - continues
to provide recent college graduates with opportunities to launch
successful careers in Washington, DC.
In addition to being granted access to the full use of ANCA facilities,
those who are accepted into the program are provided free housing
in downtown Washington, DC, as well as training, networking, and job
placement support as they seek full-time government, public policy,
and media-related job opportunities in the nation's capital.
Officially inaugurated in May 2003 - with the support of the Cafesjian
Family Foundation - the Capital Gateway Program has benefited
tremendously over the past three years from the generosity of donors
committed to creating public service opportunities for young Armenian
Americans. The leading financial contributor to the Program has been
the family of Hovig Apo Saghdejian, a 23-year old youth leader and
community activist from Fresno, California, who lost his life in
2004 in a tragic car accident. His family established the Hovig Apo
SaghdejianMemorial Fund in Hovig's memory. These funds are held
in perpetuity, with all their income being used to finance the
participation of young Armenian Americans in the Capital Gateway
Program.
The current Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellow is Hovig Shirikian, who
is interning with California Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
as a stepping-stone for a Washington career in public policy. After
learning about the Capital Gateway Program before graduating from the
University of California at Santa Barbara, Shirikian decided to apply
for the program and come to Washington, DC to pursue his interest in
political advocacy. "I wanted to come to DC because that is where the
action is," says Shirikian. "I wanted to learn first-hand how things
are run and gain experience that will be respected no matter where I
decide to go in the future." Past Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellows have
included: Ani Bedrosian, Andrew Gregorian, and Vasken Kassakhian.
Other current participants include Taline Ghazarian, Rita Garabedian,
and Antranik Boyadjian. The program recently helped Ghazarian, a
graduate in Sociology from UCLA and former English-section editor
for the Asbarez Armenian Daily Newspaper, land an internship with
Congresswoman Diane Watson (D-CA). She hopes to use the position to
learn more about the inner workings of Congress and gain a foothold in
the policy-making arena. "It's really interesting getting a first-hand
look into how government works and figuring out your particular niche
in it," said Ghazarian.
The program has also provided opportunities for Rita Garabedian, a
native of Kenner, Louisiana. After graduating from the University of
New Orleans with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History,
Garabedian came to DC to find work as a Congressional staffer. She
is currently serving as an intern for Representative Albert Wynn
(D-MD 4) while continuing to explore full-time staff positions. She
believes the recent shakeup in the House of Representatives could
provide her a unique opportunity to fill a position with one of the
many new members of Congress. "I feel very fortunate to be here on
the Hill at such an exciting moment," Garabedian commented. "Both
job-wise and politically, there are a lot of encouraging prospects."
Antranik Boyadjian, a university student from France, has come to
Washington, DC to volunteer at the ANCA office. Robert Khatchadurian,
who recently graduated from the program, has secured a consulting
position with Booz Allen Hamilton. These exceptional individuals add
their names to a growing list of participants who have taken advantage
of the unique opportunities offered by the Capital Gateway Program.
ArmRadio.am
07.12.2006 12:15
The Armenian National Committee of America's Capital Gateway Program -
the innovative Armenian American job placement program now approaching
its fourth year of operations in the nation's capital - continues
to provide recent college graduates with opportunities to launch
successful careers in Washington, DC.
In addition to being granted access to the full use of ANCA facilities,
those who are accepted into the program are provided free housing
in downtown Washington, DC, as well as training, networking, and job
placement support as they seek full-time government, public policy,
and media-related job opportunities in the nation's capital.
Officially inaugurated in May 2003 - with the support of the Cafesjian
Family Foundation - the Capital Gateway Program has benefited
tremendously over the past three years from the generosity of donors
committed to creating public service opportunities for young Armenian
Americans. The leading financial contributor to the Program has been
the family of Hovig Apo Saghdejian, a 23-year old youth leader and
community activist from Fresno, California, who lost his life in
2004 in a tragic car accident. His family established the Hovig Apo
SaghdejianMemorial Fund in Hovig's memory. These funds are held
in perpetuity, with all their income being used to finance the
participation of young Armenian Americans in the Capital Gateway
Program.
The current Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellow is Hovig Shirikian, who
is interning with California Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
as a stepping-stone for a Washington career in public policy. After
learning about the Capital Gateway Program before graduating from the
University of California at Santa Barbara, Shirikian decided to apply
for the program and come to Washington, DC to pursue his interest in
political advocacy. "I wanted to come to DC because that is where the
action is," says Shirikian. "I wanted to learn first-hand how things
are run and gain experience that will be respected no matter where I
decide to go in the future." Past Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellows have
included: Ani Bedrosian, Andrew Gregorian, and Vasken Kassakhian.
Other current participants include Taline Ghazarian, Rita Garabedian,
and Antranik Boyadjian. The program recently helped Ghazarian, a
graduate in Sociology from UCLA and former English-section editor
for the Asbarez Armenian Daily Newspaper, land an internship with
Congresswoman Diane Watson (D-CA). She hopes to use the position to
learn more about the inner workings of Congress and gain a foothold in
the policy-making arena. "It's really interesting getting a first-hand
look into how government works and figuring out your particular niche
in it," said Ghazarian.
The program has also provided opportunities for Rita Garabedian, a
native of Kenner, Louisiana. After graduating from the University of
New Orleans with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History,
Garabedian came to DC to find work as a Congressional staffer. She
is currently serving as an intern for Representative Albert Wynn
(D-MD 4) while continuing to explore full-time staff positions. She
believes the recent shakeup in the House of Representatives could
provide her a unique opportunity to fill a position with one of the
many new members of Congress. "I feel very fortunate to be here on
the Hill at such an exciting moment," Garabedian commented. "Both
job-wise and politically, there are a lot of encouraging prospects."
Antranik Boyadjian, a university student from France, has come to
Washington, DC to volunteer at the ANCA office. Robert Khatchadurian,
who recently graduated from the program, has secured a consulting
position with Booz Allen Hamilton. These exceptional individuals add
their names to a growing list of participants who have taken advantage
of the unique opportunities offered by the Capital Gateway Program.