Home Organization List Download Application Form ASB Events About ASB

Federal Trade Commission

600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580
www.ftc.gov

Projects
3

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Records and Filings Office is seeking interns to assist with projects related to the FTC's records and information management program. Interns would work directly with FTC's records officer, Bonnie Curtin, and her staff. Ms. Curtin spent 12 years at the National Archives and Records Administration where she advised over 20 Federal agencies on improving their records management programs. She also taught NARA's intensive course on electronic records issues. As a Senior Program Officer at the National Endowment for the Humanities, she advised on grants to libraries and archives for records preservation and access, and served on the interagency task force guiding emergency preservation of records in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. The FTC's mission and other information is available at www.ftc.gov

Photos and Comments

Students who participated in ASB at the Federal Trade Commission: Beth Panozzo, Michelle Escobar, and Tao Dong.

“I collected user requirements about the Records and Filings Office intranet website and created wireframes and information architecture recommendations. The assignment was good, because it was related to my specialization at SI.”

“I liked the latitude that I had to determine what I wanted to do with the project. As a second year student, this was exactly the type of project I needed where I could use the knowledge I had and expand it to present a useful product.”

More comments from participants...
Projects

FTC Records and Intranet Website Management

Tao Dong. Code: FTC-01

Interns
1

One student is needed to work with the team engaged in updating the FTC records and information management Intranet Web site. The purpose of the Web site is to provide a central source of information about records services and guidance. The intern in this position will assist in refining text and content for the site, designing and encoding the site, obtaining materials from key organizations, such as the National Archives and Records Administration, and preparing the site for mounting on the FTC Intranet.

FTC Records Disaster Preparation

Beth Panozzo. Code: FTC-02

Interns
1

One student is needed to will work on aspects of the FTC's records disaster preparedness and recovery plan as part of the Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP), a Federal-wide program to protect people, property and information resources, and to maintain key government functions including information resources needed during emergencies and needed to resume operations following emergencies. The Records and Filings Office (RFO) is responsible for identifying FTC's vital records and assisting in their protection and recovery at headquarters and in regional offices. The student will (1) participate in reviewing and revising the plan to ensure that it is complete and up-to-date and (2) take two small kits that were assembled for use in responding to small emergencies, such as a leak in a file room, and make them ready for use.

FTC Shared Network Space Policy Plan

Michelle Escobar. Code: FTC-03

Interns
1

One student is needed to assist in selected aspects to implement the policy to place files on shared network space directories. The policy is intended to encourage information sharing, reduce duplication of electronic files, and maintain security of files. This could involve helping to populate a database of security user groups, serve on the team refining naming conventions for files, and serve on a team to develop standard reports that will be used to monitor the policy.

The student will also be invited to observe meetings related to various initiatives, such as the development of an electronic document management system.

Participants' Comments

FTC Records and Intranet Website Management

“I collected user requirements about the Records and Filings Office intranet website and created wireframes and information architecture recommendations. The assignment was good, because it was related to my specialization at SI.”

“I saw the huge demand of information architecture and usability specialists for Government Information Services. I have started thinking about applying internships at IT / Design consultancies for public sectors.”

Vital Records Disaster Planning

I worked on planning for the FTC's vital records disaster plan. According to Federal regulations, all agencies must have a plan for handling their vital records in the case of an emergency or disaster. I presented a report with questions to ask in the planning process and tips for outreach and distribution of the eventual plan.”

“I liked the latitude that I had to determine what I wanted to do with the project. As a second year student, this was exactly the type of project I needed where I could use the knowledge I had and expand it to present a useful product. It might have been more challenging as a first year student (for me at least). My goal on ASB was to experience work in another Federal agency. The week helped me confirm that it would also be exciting to work in an agency in their records department. It was overall a very positive experience. Our mentors were encouraging and willing to share their knowledge.”

“I enjoyed working at the FTC very much. All the people were friendly and our mentors were very excited about the work they were doing with records planning. I was encouraged by talking to my supervisor because she freely spoke about her past work experience and what is available in the field.”

The SI Alternative Spring Break is open to graduate students of the University of Michigan's School of Information. Undergraduates looking for Alternative Spring Break opportunities should look into the University of Michigan Alternative Spring Break program administered by U-M's Ginsberg Center.