Washington DC

Washington, D.C. is the capitol of the United States of America. It is located on the north bank of the Potomac River and is bounded by Virginia to the southwest and Maryland on its other sides. Washington’s permanent resident population is about 600,000, but during the work week there are over one million people inside the District. The greater Washington metropolitan area has over five million people. Washington is the center of all three branches of the federal government, and has numerous national landmarks and historical museums. There are 174 foreign embassies in Washington, along with the headquarters of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American States, and many professional groups, labor unions and lobbying associations. Students in Washington, DC colleges study in a setting that offers many opportunities to observe the workings of government at close hand, but they also have many cultural and recreational resources available to them. Almost twenty percent of the land in the District of Columbia is open space devoted to parks, including the National Mall, Theodore Roosevelt Island, and Rock Creek Park.

Educational and Career Opportunities in Washington, DC

Students who enter colleges in Washington, DC can work towards degrees in many fields, but many choose to pursue government related careers in areas such as law, sociology, political science, finance and international relations. The federal government employs twenty seven percent of the workers in Washington, with positions in every branch of government. Elected representatives, judges, military leaders, and all of their support staffs represent a large and stable segment of Washington’s economy. In addition to government, other businesses have a large presence in the city and the larger metro area. Washington is an important center for scientific research, finance, education and other industries. Colleges in Washington, DC offer a diverse range of degree programs in many areas. Students who graduate from Washington, DC colleges enter the work force well prepared to begin careers in government, law, finance, high tech scientific research, and many other fields.