Two UH Manoa students selected for prestigious FBI summer internships

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Kristen Bonilla, (808) 956-5039
External Affairs & University Relations
Posted: Jun 28, 2007

HONOLULU — Two University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students are among the 100 undergraduate and graduate students nationwide currently participating in this summer‘s Federal Bureau of Investigation‘s (FBI) Honors Internship Program in Washington, D.C. The very selective and highly competitive program began this month and ends in August, offering students an intensive, 10-week paid internship and an insider‘s view of the daily operations of the FBI.

Kara S. Kusunoki, an undergraduate student in the Shidler College of Business, is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division at FBI Headquarters. Kusunoki, a native of Wailuku, Maui, is double-majoring in finance and political science. Taryn Meeks, who will be a third-year law student this fall at the William S. Richardson School of Law, is working in the FBI‘s Office of General Counsel alongside civil and agent attorneys. Meeks is originally from Fresno, Calif.

The FBI Honors Internship Program, which is in its 23rd year, offers undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to explore some of the many career opportunities that are available within the FBI. Students work side-by-side with special agents and professional support personnel on important cases and procedures. Each intern is assigned to an FBI Headquarters division based on their academic discipline, potential contribution to the division, and the needs of the FBI. By the end of the internship experience, students will have a thorough understanding of the inner workings of the FBI.

Each summer, only individuals with strong academic credentials, outstanding character, a high degree of motivation, and the willingness to represent the FBI upon returning to their respective campus are selected. Students apply for the program through the FBI field office nearest to their school, and each field office nominates a designated number of candidates to FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. A selection committee determines the final candidates, who then undergo an extensive screening process that includes a thorough FBI background investigation and receive FBI Top Secret Clearance in order to be eligible to participate.

Applications for the 2008 FBI Honors Internship Program will be available on July 1, 2007, from the FBI‘s Honolulu Division. Interested individuals can contact Special Agent Kal Wong for more information or to request an application at (808) 566-4300. Additional information is also available online at http://www.fbijobs.gov/231.asp. All applications must be completed and submitted to the Honolulu office by October 10, 2007 for consideration.

For more information, visit: http://www.fbijobs.gov/231.asp