Career Programming
Opportunities in the Federal Government
U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Internship - Communications & Outreach
Press Internship with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
Internship/Fellowship with Innovative Federal Strategies
Victory Congressional Internship
The Dewey Square Group Intern
The Mellman Group Political Public Opinion Research Internship
Story Partners Public Affairs Interns
OPM Student Volunteer Program
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Majority Staff Digital Intern
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Majority Staff Press Intern
Wondering how to get a job in DC?
Mo Elleithee, Executive Director of GU Politics, joined Hamilton Place Strategies' podcast alongside Tom Manatos, Vice President of Government Relations at Spotify, to discuss landing jobs in DC.
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Check out our Career Corner for current and evergreen openings in politics, policy, journalism, and related fields. We include opportunities for students of all years and levels of experience. Postings are updated on Fridays.
Opportunities in the Federal Government Anchor
Hey #Hoyas – interested in opportunities in the federal government but not sure where to start? Many departments and agencies offer a wide range of opportunities that might fit your interests. You may also discover some you didn't even know existed.
Below are a few great resources to help you get organized for Public Service Careers:
Resources for Careers in Public Service
Subscribe to the House Employment Bulletin
View Senate Employment Bulletin
Cawley Career Education Center
U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Internship – Communications & Outreach Anchor
U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Internship – Communications & Outreach
SelectUSA, a dynamic and mission-driven program to encourage business investment into the United States, is housed within the Global Markets division at the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
SelectUSA has vacancies for unpaid internships in Washington throughout the year on a semester basis. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable experience and insight into business investment in the United States, international capital flows, and U.S. investment policy.
All interns are required to be U.S. citizens and currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate school program. Selected candidates must meet minimum security requirements by submitting to a background check upon arrival.
Email SelectUSA the following
your cover letter,
resume,
and a writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages), as one combined PDF attachment to us.
Be sure to include your first and last name in the file name.
In your cover letter, please include the dates of your availability and specifically address your interest in SelectUSA, how you would help support SelectUSA's mission, and how the selected internship aligns with your future goals.
Applications without cover letters will not be considered.
More Information About the SelectUSA Internship
Application Email
Press Internship with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar Anchor
Interns in our Washington, DC, office work closely with our legislative and communications staff. You will receive training from the Congressional Research Service (CRS), learn how to use the Legislative Information System (LIS), and attend professional development workshops.
Full- and part-time internships are available. During the fall and spring sessions, interns are expected to work at least one full day and two half-days. During the summer session, interns are expected to work full-time unless enrolled in summer courses. For students seeking college credit, we can accommodate your school's requirements.
While Senator Klobuchar encourages all individuals to apply, applicants from Minnesota will be given preference.
Internships for the Washington, DC, program are available for the following three sessions:
Summer Session – June through August (deadline: March 1)
Fall Session – September through December (deadline: July 1)
Spring Session – January through May (deadline: November 1)
Please submit the following:
Application Form (Download)
Short Writing Sample (2 pages max)
List of Three References
To apply, complete the application form at https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/internships and send your completed application to internships@klobuchar.senate.gov with the subject line noting Press Internship.
More Information about Senator Klobuchar
Internship/Fellowship with Innovative Federal Strategies Anchor
About Innovative Federal Strategies, LLC:
Innovative Federal Strategies, LLC (IFS) is a lobbying and government relations firm located on Capitol Hill. The firm focuses on developing federal strategies for each of its clients and pursuing those goals before the Administration and Congress. Since 1992, IFS has been helping each of their clients achieve their appropriations and legislative goals with innovative strategies and the utmost customer service. For more information, please visit www.innofed.com
Description and Responsibilities:
Innovative Federal Strategies, LLC (IFS) is currently seeking an intern. The ideal candidate for this position will be a student seeking experience on Capitol Hill or in a government relations setting including former interns or recent college graduates with a degree in Political Science. The ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented student/graduate who has strong administrative skills, exceptional interpersonal skills and first-rate verbal and written communication skills. Routine activities include:
Perform a full range of clerical duties including answering and routing phone calls;
Prepare client materials for meetings with Members of Congress and their staff;
Track legislation through House and Senate committees, and monitor House and Senate floor
activity;
Conduct research as requested, such as reviewing bill text, government reports, and hearing
transcripts;
Complete various request forms as required by Member offices;
Attend hearings and client meetings; and
Other administrative and legislative responsibilities as assigned.
Prior experience on Capitol Hill or with a government relations firm is a plus, but is not
required;
Working knowledge of / desire to learn about U.S House and Senate, their administrative
practices and communications protocol;
Proficiency in word processing software and hardware including Microsoft Office software
(specific proficiency in Microsoft Excel is a plus);
Ability to work with multiple team members and prioritize workload;
Ability to handle multiple tasks, projects and priorities effectively and professionally with
meticulous attention to detail in a fast paced environment; and
Email a resume and one-page cover letter summarizing your interest and qualifications in a PDF or Word Document, to info@innofed.com. Please label the subject line: IFS Internship
Victory Congressional Internship Anchor
Spring '23: Apply here. Deadline: Sept. 25th, 2022
Summer '23: Apply here. Deadline: Jan. 8th, 2023
Fall '23: Apply here. Deadline: April 16th, 2023
Learn more about our Victory Congressional Internship programs by attending our information sessions:
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 4-5pm ET: click here to register!
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 4-5pm ET: click here to register!
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 4-5pm ET: click here to register!
The Victory Institute's Victory Congressional Internship is developing the next generation of LGBTQ public leaders. Each semester, the Victory Congressional Internship brings outstanding LGBTQ undergraduate students to Washington, DC, for an intensive leadership program, including:
An 8 or 10 week Congressional internship with a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus or an LGBTQ-friendly member of U.S. Congress to learn firsthand about the federal legislative process; and
An educational and leadership development program to learn about careers in policy-making and engage with subject-matter experts in the District of Columbia working across sectors.
The Victory Congressional Internship prepares young LGBTQ people to become informed decision-makers and influential leaders who can change their communities and our world.
Online Application will ask for the following:
Professional Resume (one-page)
Two Essay Responses
Professional Headshot
Professional Biography
Sent directly via email:
One Letter of Recommendation
You will need to submit one letter of recommendation – either from an academic institution or from someone who can speak to your leadership skills. Please have your recommender email the letter directly to Itay Balely at itay.balely@victoryinstitute.org.
Free housing accommodations in downtown DC
Living wage stipend to cover other living expenses in DC equal to $15 per hour
Airfare or other transportation to and from Washington, DC, at the beginning and end of the program
Academic credit (depending on each participant's college or university), and
Airfare, shared hotel, and conference fees covered for the Victory Institute's International LGBTQ Leaders Conference in December 2022
More Information and Frequently Asked Questions
The Victory Congressional Internship is open to undergraduate students of all genders, orientations, abilities, races, and political affiliations. Women, people of color, trans individuals, individuals with disabilities and individuals from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Must be LGBTQ+ to qualify. Note that "allies" of the LGBTQ community do not qualify.
All applicants must meet the following criteria to satisfy the Victory Institute and Congressional requirements:
U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident or permit to work in the U.S. (Foreign students with F-1 visas are not eligible)
18 years of age before the day of arrival in Washington, D.C.
Currently enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program, will have completed at least one year by the beginning of the program; program participants must have at least one full semester remaining after the program has completed (i.e., students graduating prior to or during the course of the internship program are not eligible and must graduate at least at the end of the following semester)
Applicants from a diverse array of disciplines are encouraged
Active participation in public and/or community service activities
For questions regarding the Victory Congressional Internship Program, please contact Itay Balely, U.S. Programs Manager, at itay.balely@victoryinstitute.org.
Summer 2023 Application
Fall 2023 Application
About Victory Institute
The Dewey Square Group Intern Anchor
The Dewey Square Group, a leading Democratic public affairs firm, is looking for an intern for its Grassroots practice in the Washington, D.C. office. The Dewey Square Group's Grassroots practice works with non-profit organizations, trade associations, and companies to build support for their issues, products, technologies, and brands at the local, state and federal level. Interns will work closely with Associates and Principals to gain valuable work experience. Interns will work a maximum of 40 hours per week. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. This is a paid internship.
Work will include:
Writing and research
Special event support
Monitoring legislative
Qualified candidates will be:
Able to work business hours Monday-Friday (full or part-time)
An undergraduate student or recent graduate
Interested in Democratic politics and a wide variety of issues
Hardworking and eager for new challenges and projects
Willing to take initiative and learn new things
Positive with a good sense of humor
Strong writing skills (drafting, editing, proofing) and verbal communication skills are a must. Proficiency with social media and different technology platforms/analytics tools are a plus.
Diverse candidates encouraged to apply. Undergraduates, recent graduates, and graduate students all welcome to apply. Candidates MUST reside in one of the following: DC, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Florida, and Missouri.
Please send your cover letter, resume, and availability to InternDSG@gmail.com.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Dewey Square Group does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of their race, creed, color, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, national origin, or ancestry.
About the Dewey Square Group
The Mellman Group Political Public Opinion Research Internship Anchor
We are always looking for interns interested in public opinion polling with a commitment to Democratic politics and a statistics background to work on public opinion research for political campaigns, public interest groups, membership organizations and businesses. Ideal person is interested in public opinion polling with a commitment to Democratic politics and has a statistics background. The primary internship responsibilities include:
Conducting background research on candidates, opponents, or potential clients
Editing memos, PowerPoint presentations and proposals
Reading and understanding crosstab banners and topline questionnaires
Monitoring polls the first night they are in the field
Sorting quotes from focus group transcripts
Creating focus group handout summaries
Some administrative work when necessary
Knowledge of SPSS, statistics, or quantitative analysis would be helpful, but not required. Applicants must be able to work fast, have a commitment to detail and accuracy, handle a high-pressured working environment, and work well in a team atmosphere in a small office. This is a full-time position with a 40 hour work week. Applicants must be available to work between 9am-6pm ET, and have a flexible schedule to work early mornings, late evenings and weekends. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, staff and interns are currently working remotely, though once it is safe, staff and interns will be expected to work in our DC office. Pay is $15/hr. Casual workplace.
Send resume and cover letter to: internships@mellmangroup.com
Learn More About The Mellman Group
Story Partners Public Affairs Interns Anchor
As a full-service public affairs agency, Story Partners has deep expertise and a wide range of traditional and social media skills to meet your challenge and drive to victory. Known for our winning strategies, creativity and zealous determination to win—we offer clients exceptional strength in seven service areas critical to public affairs campaign success.
Story Partners is seeking fall interns. The virtual intern program provides a substantive, hands-on experience in a fast-paced workplace. The ideal candidate is a motivated, self-starter and creative thinker. We encourage students with a communications background or an interest in the role of public affairs in the political process to apply.
Duties include but are not limited to the following:
Drafting a wide selection of written and creative materials
Monitoring news coverage (traditional and digital) for client issues
Facilitating a variety of social media engagements and analysis
Building and maintaining reporter databases
Conducting media and issues-related research
This internship will be offered virtually and work hours can be tailored to class schedules.
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter: careers@storypartnersdc.com
Position Description & How to Apply
Visit the Story Partners website
National Republican Congressional Committee Anchor
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is looking for interns in each of our divisions. We are looking for politically interested undergraduate students that want to gain marketable skills, lifelong connections, and have an enjoyable experience interning at our Washington, DC headquarters. Your internship will allow you to contribute measurable value to the NRCC's operations and stay connected with the organization long after your last day as an intern.
To apply for an NRCC internship, please click below and email your resume and introduction to: wgreaton@nrcc.org
Please note that while the NRCC's official internship program is currently paused due to COVID-19-related restrictions, they are accepting and reviewing resumes on a rolling basis for internships as early as they can accommodate them. Please check the NRCC page for developing updates about their internship program.
For more information and to apply, visit the NRCC website
OPM Student Volunteer Program Anchor
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) leads and serves the Federal Government in enterprise human resources management by delivering policies and services to achieve a trusted, effective civilian workforce. OPM provides leadership and support to U.S. agencies on issues including human resources policy and oversight, federal employee benefits, retirement services, guidance on labor-management relations, and programs to improve workforce performance. At OPM, we recruit, retain, and honor the American workforce that is landing rovers on Mars, fighting a global pandemic, and building this country back better.
Enrolled as a degree-seeking student in good academic standing with at least a half-time course load at undergraduate, graduate, or professional school.
Have an interest in at least one of the following areas:
o Communications
o Congressional, Legislative, and Intergovernmental Affairs
o Data Management
o Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
o Human Capital/Resource Management
o IT Modernization
• Gain exposure to public service while enhancing your educational goals and shaping your career choices
• Work with federal agencies under the Biden-Harris Administration
• Earn school credit
• Flexible work schedules and assignments*
*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student volunteers will perform work virtually.
To apply, please submit your resume and proof of enrollment to Jason Tengco, OPM's White House Liaison, at jason.tengco@opm.gov. You may also submit an optional cover letter describing your interest in volunteering with OPM.
For more information, visit www.opm.gov.
OPM is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit. OPM provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities where appropriate.
OPM Opportunities
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Majority Staff Digital Intern Anchor
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform Majority Staff seeks a motivated and reliable student to fill a full-time digital intern position this fall.
Digital intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to, content creation, graphic design, manual photography, videography, website maintenance, analytics and performing other press and administrative tasks as necessary. Successful candidates will possess familiarity with programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Canva, OBS Studio, as well as compiling and interpreting social media analytics.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapid response environment and willingness to learn is a must; sense of humor strongly encouraged. This position reports to the communications director. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please send a resume and portfolio to oversightpress@mail.house.gov
More Information About The House Oversight Internship & Fellowship Program
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Majority Staff Press Intern Anchor
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform Majority Staff seeks a motivated, reliable, and detail-oriented student with a passion for communications to fill a full-time press intern position this fall. The ideal candidate should be a strong writer, team player, and able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
Press intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to, compiling press clips, maintaining press lists, and drafting press releases. This position reports to the communications director and broader communications team. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please send a resume to oversightpress@mail.house.gov