Washington D.C. Internships

Thousands of competitive internships are available in D.C. with:

*Interest groups

*Political parties

*Think tanks

*Federal agencies

*Congress

Over the years, political science majors at the College of Charleston have interned with congressional offices, The U.S. State Department, the White House, various interest groups, and have worked on political campaigns. Most students arrange their own internship in the D.C. area and often stay with family and friends. Summer housing is usually available through area universities or can be arranged through WISH (Washington Intern Student Housing). In some cases, academic credit for these internships is available, in other cases students return from DC and complete an independent research project (POLS 401) based on their DC experience. Students should discuss their DC internship with their faculty advisor and the department internship coordinator at least one semester in advance.

Political Science major, David Butler with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham

During the Fall 2006 semester, Political Science major, David Butler experiences working in Washington D.C. as an intern with the Office of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

Strategies for getting an internship in DC and on the Hill

Start early, DC internships are competitive and often have application deadlines.
Explore your connections (family, friends, professors, etc.); the best source can often be family connections, so start there.
Search through web resources and pursue leads
Visit your representative's website and ask for information about available internships
Visit your senator's website and ask for information about available internships
Visit the website for interest groups and nonprofit agencies associated with issues you care about.
Call to follow-up on requests if you do not receive an answer.
Use email and phone calls to get in touch with agencies you are interested in; regular mail goes through security screenings which can delay the receipt of your correspondence.

Web listings

Opportunities in Public Affairs (user id: pols password: cougars).
Provides current information about paid and unpaid internships, job opportunities and fellowships in Washington, DC and the surrounding area.

The Internship Series online (username: intern08 password: work).
Comprehensive source of internship information on the web with full, up to date information on over 2,800 organizations offering internships and summer jobs for students. Internship listings that may be of interest include the following sectors: Community and Social Agencies, International Affairs, Women's Rights, Congressional, Human Rights, Washington Internships about Law and Policy.

Idealist.org
Provides info. about hundreds of internships, volunteer and job opportunities in the DC area, the U.S. and around the world.

www.hillzoo.com
Provides informaiton on internships on the hill (bi-partisan).

www.hillnews.com
Provides information about jobs and internships in dc (bi-partisan).

www.politico.com
Provides information about jobs in DC (bi-partisan).

Institute for Humane Studies offers internships in DC in public policy and nonprofit management as well as a state-based intensive ten-week paid summer internship program at organizations such as the SC Policy Council Education Foundation to learn policy at the state level (Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Internships).

Live, Learn, and Intern Program in DC- The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) was founded to help instill in young people an appreciation for the American Form of government and the free enterprise system. TFAS sponsors Institutes that teach college students about the principles and values which the United States was founded.

The Judicial Internship Program at the Supreme Court of the United States

CRS Report for Congress on Internships & Fellowships: Congressional, Federal and Other Work Experience Opportunities (pdf)

The White House Project
Provides a good set of political training and internship programs targeted at women. The White House Project aims to advance women's leadership positions in politics/government.

Washington Semester at American University
Requirements: Minimum G.P.A. – 2.5
Housing: American University dorms
Contact Number: (800) 424-2600
Contact e-mail: washsem@american.edu
http://www.washingtonsemester.com

Cornell in Washington-- Summer Only
Requirements: First applications accepted-- no minimum G.P.A.
Housing: Apartments Supplied
Contact Number: (202) 466-2184
Contact e-mail: cwash@cornell.edu
http://www.ciw.cornell.edu

Boston University Washington Internship Program
Requirements: Juniors and Seniors with strong academic credentials
Housing: Apartments Supplied
Contact Number: (617) 353-9888
Contact e-mail: abroad@bu.edu
http://www.bu.edu/abroad/programs/usa/washington_dc/washington_dc_int/

Semester in Washington at GWU
Requirements: Writing Sample, Letter of Recommendation, Competitive G.P.A, Extracurricular Involvement, and Leadership
Housing: George Washington University dorms
Contact Number: (800) 367-4776
Contact e-mail: siw@gwu.edu
http://www.gwu.edu/~siw/

Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service
Georgetown University, Washington DC.
Institute offers a rigorous combination of professional experience, academic learning and service projects that will provide students with an unparalleled experience in the nation's capital. For more information, visit http://www.dcinternships.org/ipvs or contact Ms. Patty Gentry, Program Coordinator, by phone at 1-800-6964 or via email at pgentry@tfax.org.

Washington Internship Institute: Institute for Experiential Learning
Requirements: Admission decisions are based on applicants’ academic records and recommendations.
Housing: Apartments supplied
Contact Number: (202) 833-8580
Contact e-mail: info@ielnet.org
http://www.ielnet.org/

Public Leadership Education Network: Woman and Public Policy Internship Program
Requirements: Women only
Housing: Students choose housing, but reduced-fee options are available
Contact Number: (202) 872-1585
Contact e-mail:plen@plen.org
http://www.plen.org/

Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
Requirements: Second semester sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors only; Maintain a grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (Your application MAY be considered with a third letter of recommendation if your GPA is below 2.75); Receive the endorsement of your campus liaison, or, if your institution does not have a campus liaison, the endorsement of a faculty sponsor; Receive academic credit from your college or university for your participation in the Internship Program.
Housing: guaranteed housing to all students who complete a Housing Reservation Contract by the required deadline
Contact Number: (202) 336-7600
Contact e-mail:info@twc.edu
http://www.twc.edu/

Political Science Department