Five Public Service Internships you Should Apply to Right Now
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We all know by now that completing an internship as a student can give you a serious leg up on your peers in some careers, and professions in public service are no exception. Having hands-on experience before you graduate can be what compels an employer to choose you over another candidate when you apply for positions in policy or politics.
But as the school year winds to a close, you may think it’s too late to start working on internship applications. Or maybe you’re not entirely sure what public service path you want to follow and don’t want a job that’s too niche. It could even be that you’re looking for a remote option to cut travel costs.
Luckily for you, we’ve created a complete guide to public service internships you can still shoot for in 2019. We’ll differentiate between summer and school-year dates, paid and unpaid roles, and levels of qualification needed, so everyone can find their perfect position.
Central Intelligence Agency Policy and Legal Programs
Apply by:
Varies
Location:
Washington, D.C.
High School Eligible:
No
Compensation:
$14.24 – $18.97/hour
Although The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) hires student interns year-round, they’re currently accepting applications for their prestigious Scholarship Program. If selected, the CIA will offer you work related specifically to your major over multiple summers, and they’ll assist with housing and meals. They even offer insurance coverage up to $18,000 each year in college tuition assistance, as only currently-enrolled students with financial need are eligible to apply. This is a great opportunity if you’re not sure what public service roles will be available to you based on your qualifications or interests.
Don’t have financial need? The CIA also offers multiple internships and co-op experiences for undergrads throughout the school year and over the summer. Choose from positions in several categories — Analysis, Clandestine, STEM, Enterprise and Support, and Foreign Language — but plan ahead, as application requirements are strict, and non-summer roles ask you to apply 12 months in advance of your planned start date.
Environmental Protection Agency
Apply by:
Rolling
Locations:
Washington, D.C. headquarters; 10 regional offices; multiple labs and research centers
High School Eligible:
Yes
Compensation:
Available, but unspecified
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hires high school and college interns to do administrative and technical work in the fields of life sciences, program or policy analysis, and engineering. Some positions are paid, but not all of them are. Several offices within the agency also offer both paid and volunteer positions on a rolling basis throughout the year; so if their current postings aren’t what you’re looking for, you can keep checking back on their website to find an opening that suits you. Intern selection is based on your resume and your most recent report card or transcript.
Apply by:
Rolling
Locations:
Washington, D.C., Birmingham, AL, Little Rock, AR, and Jackson, MS
High School Eligible:
No
Compensation:
None
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s largest organization for the advancement of LGBTQIA+ rights, and it’s got plenty of listings to look through right now. They offer positions in more than 30 areas, including Policy, Development, Communications, and Education. If selected for a position, HRC will provide a “modest travel stipend,” and they can also help you secure housing and grant funding from your college or another organization if you need it. Responsibilities vary from intern to intern since the roles are so varied, but this is definitely a good bet if you know you want to pursue LGBTQIA+ politics or activism but don’t quite know where your strengths lie.
Virtual Student Federal Service Program
Apply by:
July 31
Location:
Remote
High School Eligible:
No
Compensation:
None
If transportation is an issue for you, consider that obstacle overcome. You can apply to the Virtual Student Federal Service program for placement with up to three of 40 federal offices and agencies in a remote role, contributing to government projects on issues such as helping counter violent extremism, strengthening human rights monitoring, developing virtual programs, engaging in digital communications, mapping, economic and political reporting, data analysis, graphic design, and app building — all from campus, a coffee shop, or even your bed. Applications open July 1 for work starting in September. You’ll contribute around 10 hours a week until May 2020 in exchange for experience and school credit.
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Apply by:
June 1
Location:
White House Complex, Washington, D.C.
High School Eligible:
No
Compensation:
None
College students of any major or field of study, including those currently enrolled in graduate or law school, are eligible to apply to intern in the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) within the White House. Applicants can choose either Policy or Legal positions, helping with research and development of legislation, or informing OSTP’s legal actions when it comes to Employment, Finance, Contracts, Ethics, and other categories. Selected students will work around 30 hours each week, and although you won’t be paid, OSTP offers substantial academic credit. If you’re planning to apply, start early, as you’ll need a writing sample, cover letter, resume, and official college transcript to do so.
While the opportunities listed above could provide invaluable experience on a federal level, be sure to check for internship options in your local or state government as well. Political candidates, government offices, and city halls frequently recruit high school and college interns, and the applicant pool may be smaller for those roles than they would be for national listings.
Wherever you end up applying, remember to make the best of any placement you accept, and to just be yourself during the application process. Good luck!