Career Corner

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:

The Hilltop Public Solutions internship experience is unlike many others in Washington. Interns provide much of the research and writing support that allows Hilltop staff to attract new business and develop strategy on behalf of clients. On a typical day, a Hilltop intern may be asked to research and write a briefing memo on upcoming attorneys general races around the country, find background information for a client meeting, draft an op-ed on behalf of a coalition Hilltop manages, or write content for a candidate’s website. Hilltop’s intern analysts have the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting policy and political campaigns, develop strong research and analysis skills, and build lasting connections to some of Washington’s leading political minds. We ask prospective interns to commit to work full time (32-40 hours per week) between 10 am to 6 pm EST from late May through late July or early August. The internship is paid ($17.00 per hour). Our internship program is highly competitive, and we review applications on a rolling basis.

What We’re Looking For:
● Excellent writing & research skills
● Strong attention to detail
● Knowledge of politics & the policy process
● Interest in advancing progressive causes
● Professional phone manner & customer service skills
● Juniors, seniors or grad students preferred

How to Apply:
To apply, please fill submit the required application materials (resume and writing sample) through
our application Google Form. Qualified candidates will be contacted about the next steps. Thank
you again for your interest!

The White House Internship Program is a public service leadership and development program that provides emerging leaders with an opportunity to gain valuable skills while supporting the work of the White House and furthering the priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration. This program provides paid internships across the Executive Office of the President. Interns participating in the White House Internship Program will support the White House Office and the Office of the Vice President.

Program participants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years or older before the first day of the Program, and meet at least one of the three following criteria:

1. Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college, or university (two- to four-year institution)
2. Graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program at a college, community college, or university (two- to four-year institution) no more than two years prior to the first day of the Program
3. A veteran of the United States Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty, for any length of time, no more than two years prior to the first day of the Program

The application period for the Fall 2023 session will open on Monday, March 13, and close on Friday, April 9.

Interested candidates can find the Program’s online application at WH.gov/intern. The website also features additional information about the Program, including a “Frequently Asked Questions” section.

Prospective candidates with questions about the Program, as well as college/university administrators, faculty, campus leadership, and others interested in more information to share with their communities can reach out to the White House Internship Program team at internship@who.eop.gov.

Emergent Strategies is a boutique, all-Democrat, Government Affairs firm located on Capitol
Hill. We have a broad portfolio of clients spanning numerous issue areas, including: financial
services, healthcare, agriculture, foreign affairs and more. We are looking for motivated,
self-starters that have an interest in government affairs and policy who can thrive in a fast-paced
environment. This internship opportunity is paid and would be for May through August 2023 with the
option to extend into the school year, pending review. If interested please email your resume
and a brief writing sample to janna@emergentdc.com. The application deadline is April
1, 2023.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation in government.

Currently, the D.C. chapter is looking for an intern to work on the D.C. League of Women Voters Full Right Committee. Expected responsibilities include providing presentations with our Q & A (Quilts & Advocacy) project (see lwvdc.org/quilts4dcgallery) and  developing a DC Statehood cookbook highlighting our many culinary traditions along with explaining why D.C. needs to be a state.  The intern will help with organizing activities, with the technology for zoom presentations, researching our list of outstanding restaurants and will be involved with the process of publishing a book.  Hours will be flexible but should average around 10-12 hours a week for the period of the grant (January-September 30, 2023). The internship may cover about six months and timing can be worked out. Total stipend will be $6,000.  Please contact Anne Anderson, Chair, LWVDC Committee for Full Rights for D.C. Citizens at statehood@lwvdc.org

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.

How To Apply:

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.

Overview

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.

Requirements

• 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

To Apply:
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

Spring ’23: Apply here. Deadline: Sept. 25th, 2022 

Summer ’23: Apply here. Deadline: Jan. 8th, 2023

Fall ’23: Apply here. Deadline: April 16th, 2023

Information Sessions
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!

Overview

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.

Application Components

Online Application will ask for the following:

• Professional Resume (one-page)
• Unofficial Transcript
• Two Essay Responses
• Professional Headshot
• Professional Biography
• Demographic Information

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.

Overview

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
• Issue tracking
• 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.

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

Overview

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.

Apply

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter: careers@storypartnersdc.com 

Overview

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.

Overview

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.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 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

BENEFITS:
• 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.

HOW TO APPLY:
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.

Application Deadline: Friday, March 10th

The Job

We have multiple CNN Political internship opportunities available. By applying to this posting, you will be considered for internship opportunities within this area. These internships will be located in the Washington, D.C area. The selected interns will be expected to join us in the office on a regular cadence based on the intern managers in office schedule.

This could include, but is not limited to:

• Political Unit
• KFile

The Daily

Duties could include:

• Compile research for CNN’s political unit.
• Gather information on election procedures from state and local officials.
• Report on political candidates, nominees, appointees, elected officials and other figures by sorting through social media, videos, livestreams, podcasts, public records and other source material.
• Monitor live political events for news and Work on live election night coverage.
• Assist with other political coverage as needed.

The Essentials

• Candidate seeking a career in journalism, writing, or research preferred.
• Extensive understanding of and interest in political campaigns and U.S. politics a must.
• Interns would need to be available during the week and select evenings for this internship.
• Must be actively enrolled in a U.S. accredited college or university degree program for the full duration of the internship (proof of enrollment required)
• Must be a rising Junior, Senior or Graduate Student (18 years or older)
• Must be in academic good standing (2.8 or above GPA)
• Must have the legal right to work in the United States. U.S. International students must hold an F1 Visa to be considered.
• A cover letter is required with your application, please combine the resume and cover letter into one PDF document.