This report describes Internet resources on major internship, fellowship, and work experience programs within the federal government. It is intended as a selective guide for students of all levels: high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate.
This report will be updated annually.
The federal government offers many opportunities for internships, fellowships, and work experiences. However, there is no single centralized source for finding information on every opportunity. This report describes the major and most popular Internet resources for such opportunities and gives applicants a place to begin their search. The Internet resources provided are not exhaustive.
Applying for an internship or fellowship is similar to applying for admission to a college or university. The application process takes time and effort, often requiring essays and interviews. Applicants should begin their search early and explore what best suits their interests and career goals. Application deadlines and program durations vary from agency to agency. Applicants should apply to more than one program because competition is stiff, with applicants often far exceeding the number of positions available. Opportunities are generally available in the spring, summer, and fall, with summer positions being the most popular and competitive.
The terms fellowship and internship are sometimes used interchangeably in the names of specific programs. Fellowships are generally intended for persons with advanced degrees or substantial professional experience and are usually salaried positions lasting nine months to a year or more. Internships, which are either salaried or volunteer short-term arrangements, usually require relatively little experience and are often filled by students.
Although they are sometimes confused with interns, congressional pages are high school students who serve Congress as messengers. The House page program ceased operations in August 2011, but the Senate still employs pages. For more information on the Senate page program, see its website at http://www.senate.gov/reference/reference_index_subjects/Pages_vrd.htm.
The duties, responsibilities, and salaries (if any) of interns and fellows vary from program to program. Most program responsibilities are substantive in nature and often involve challenging projects. They may range from conducting legislative research for a congressional office to biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health. Some programs or universities that offer academic credit may require the intern or fellow to produce a report on the work experience and obtain evaluations from program supervisors. In addition, some programs lead to federal job placement. Recruitment programs like Presidential Management Fellows and the Congressional Research Service Graduate Recruit Program may offer permanent employment after the successful completion of program requirements. Because program details vary from agency to agency, it is best to consult the appropriate website or to contact the program office directly.
The federal government's official web portal provides an A-Z list of all federal agencies and departments.
http://www.usa.gov/directory/federal/index.shtml
USA.gov also offers a "Federal Government Jobs" website.
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Government-Jobs.shtml
The Go Government website, an initiative of a non-profit organization, the Partnership for Public Service, promotes careers in the federal government. The Student and Entry Level Talent portion of the website includes information on more than 200 federal internship programs and provides tips on creating a federal resume and on navigating the federal hiring process.
http://gogovernment.org/government_careers/students_entry-level_talent.php
The students and graduates section of the official U.S. federal government employment website provides students with information on various educational opportunities available within the federal government, including internships, fellowships, apprenticeships, and cooperative programs.
https://www.usajobs.gov/studentsandgrads
The Pathways Programs are composed of two new programs—the Internship Program and the Recent Graduates Program—and the existing Presidential Management Fellows Program. The website includes a FAQs section and a list of Federal Occupations by College Major.
Some federal agencies that participate in the Pathways Programs include the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. General Service Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The Pathways Programs have specific information on their employee websites, such as the Department of State at http://careers.state.gov/work/pathways and NASA at http://nasajobs.nasa.gov/studentopps/Pathways.htm.
The Internship Program is for students attending high schools, community colleges, four-year universities, trade schools, career and technical education programs, and other qualifying educational institutions and programs with paid opportunities to explore federal careers while still in school. Participants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program. The Internship Program replaces the Student Career Experience Program and the Student Temporary Employment Program. More information is available at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/#intern.
The Recent Graduates Program is for individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs with developmental experiences in the federal government. Participants must have obtained a qualifying degree or completed a qualifying career or technical education program within the preceding two years. Veterans applying to the program who are unable to qualify within the two-year period due to military service may apply within six years of obtaining a qualifying degree or completing a qualifying program. More information is available at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/#graduates.
The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program was created to attract outstanding persons from many academic disciplines to the federal government who are interested in, and committed to careers in, the analysis and management of public policies and programs. Applicants must have received, within the preceding two years, a qualifying advanced degree as determined by OPM. Fellows serve a two-year appointment. As per Executive Order 13562 of December 2010, participants no longer need to be nominated by their educational institution but may apply independently. This program includes a special track—the PMF STEM—for science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals. Information about this track is available at http://www.pmf.gov/the-opportunity/pmf-stem.aspx.
Intended for young professionals who have demonstrated academic excellence, this program places recipients in Cabinet-level agencies, the Executive Office of the President, the Vice President's office, or in smaller federal agencies. This is a one-year program. Fellows make domestic and foreign trips to study U.S. policy and take part in roundtable discussions with leaders from the private and public sectors. Applicants must have finished their undergraduate degrees and be working in their chosen fields.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/fellows
This program provides unpaid opportunities to learn more about the daily processes of the White House. The competitive program selects about 100 interns every spring, summer, and fall. Each applicant must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old on or by the first day of the internship, and enrolled in (or recently graduated from) a college or university.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a part of the Pathway Programs. Students and recent graduates are offered opportunities to work as interns in fields such as agricultural, science, technology, math, environmental, management, and business. Students work as assistants to scientific, professional, administrative, and technical employees.
http://www.dm.usda.gov/employ/student/index.htm
The U.S. Department of Commerce, also part of the Pathways Programs, offers a variety of paid and unpaid programs, including Census Postsecondary Internships and a Workforce Recruitment Program for college students with disabilities. Commerce bureaus and offices with internship programs include the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Census Bureau, and the Patent and Trademark Office.
http://www.hr.commerce.gov/careers/studentcareeropportunities
In addition to participating in the Pathways Programs, the Department of Defense's (DOD's) "Student Opportunities" website provides details on opportunities such as the National Security Agency (NSA) Graduate Training Program, the Financial Management Trainee Program, and internships with the Human Resources Directorate and the Washington Headquarters Services. Programs can range from 10-weeks to full-time employment.
http://godefense.cpms.osd.mil/student_opportunities.aspx
The U.S. Department of Education offers internships in several departmental offices, such as Elementary and Secondary Education, Civil Rights, and Leadership and Teacher Development. These unpaid internships are available year-round. Students must be enrolled in a high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/job/intern/index.html
The Department of Energy (DOE) recruits interns to research positions at DOE labs. These positions cover a range of subjects and career levels, from high school students to faculty members. Positions are paid but do not necessarily lead to permanent DOE employment.
http://www.energy.gov/student-programs-and-internships
The DOE Scholars program introduces students and recent graduates to the missions and operations of the DOE. These are paid positions for enrolled students aged 18 and older, lasting either 10 weeks in the summer or 16 weeks during the semester.
http://orise.orau.gov/doescholars/
Many HHS offices provide a list of specific programs for students and recent graduates, at http://www.hhs.gov/careers/where/index.html, including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) "Opportunities for Students and College Graduates" at http://www.cdc.gov/employment/menu_student.html and the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) "Student, Fellowship and Senior Scientist" at http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/FellowshipInternshipGraduateFacultyPrograms/default.htm.
HHS's Emerging Leaders Program is designed for applicants explore fields related to their academic background. The two-year program involves rotations within departmental agencies during the first year and a fixed placement the second year. Students must have one or more of the following degrees: bachelor's (with work experience), master's, J.D., or PhD.
http://hhsu.learning.hhs.gov/elp/
The Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research is open to students aged 16 and older who are enrolled in high school, undergraduate, or graduate programs. Positions are in various agency locations nationwide, and stipends are available for the eight-week-plus program. The National Institutes of Health Academy fellowship program is a year-long program with a stipend and is restricted to recent undergraduates. Other programs are available for specific subject areas.
http://www.training.nih.gov/programs
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers a variety of fellowship, scholarship, and internship programs in its agencies, which include Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Secret Service. Programs include Pathways, a Summer Law Intern Program, the STEM Summer Internship Program, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) College Intern Program. Most, if not all, of the programs require U.S. citizenship, and some require a security clearance.
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/careers/content_multi_image_0011.shtm
The Department of the Interior (DOI) offers Pathways internship opportunities in various parts of the agency, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, and Bureau of Reclamation. Fellowships and internships opportunities are available through the National Park Service, Office of Surface Mining, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey. http://www.doi.gov/pathways/index.cfm
DOI provides a listing of internships on its Youth in the Great Outdoors website, which shows various fellowship and internships programs throughout the federal land management agencies and bureaus.
https://youthgo.gov/jobs.
The Summer Law Intern Program accepts law students to salaried summer internships throughout the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Volunteer Legal Recruitment Program offers legal internships to law students in their first through third years. This program is unpaid, with placement in U.S. Attorneys' Offices, the Immigration Courts, and department field offices in cities nationwide, including Washington, DC.
http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers
The Department of Labor (DOL) participates in the Pathways Programs; internships include working in DOL offices, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment & Training Administration (ETA), Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/internship/
The State Department's website provides a portal to available student programs, internships, and fellowships. Opportunities range from Pathways Programs to the Virtual Student Foreign Service to Council of American Ambassadors Fellowships. To help students choose the most appropriate program for them, an online questionnaire is available.
http://www.careers.state.gov/students#.UVndkNe2WUY
The department's website lists several student programs, including Pathways Programs, the John A. Volpe Transportation Internship, and the FAA Law Honors Intern Program. Minority internship programs, such as the Summer Transportation Internship Program for Diverse Groups, are offered by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Highway Administration.
http://www.dot.gov/careers/student-opportunities and http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/education/stipdg.cfm
The Office of the General Counsel accepts applications from law students for various internships. These positions are available year round and may be with or without academic credit.
http://www.dot.gov/mission/administrations/general-counsel/jobs-internships
The Department of Treasury participates in student employment programs, including Pathways, the Hispanic Serving Institution National Internship Program (HSINIP), Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS), National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), The Washington Center (TWC), and Disability Employment Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP).
http://www.treasury.gov/careers/hq-careers/Pages/student-employment.aspx
In addition to participating in Pathways Programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers programs for college graduates, VA employees, veterans, and outside applicants. These programs include the National Diversity Internship Program (NDIP), Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), and the Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program (GHATP).
http://mycareeratva.va.gov/Careerpath/Internships/Pages/default.aspx
The Supreme Court Fellows Program Commission selects four individuals for one-year assignments in the Supreme Court of the United States, Administrative Office of the United States Courts, Federal Judicial Center, or the United States Sentencing Commission. The commission is especially interested in applicants who are completing a judicial clerkship and broadening their understanding of the judicial system. Applicants must have a J.D. or other post-graduate degree. Fellows become employees of the federal court system and receive salaries equivalent to the GS-12 government pay scale.
http://www.supremecourt.gov/fellows/default.aspx
The Judicial Internship Program is designed for advanced undergraduates and graduating college seniors interested in learning about the inner workings of the Supreme Court of the United States. The internship is unpaid, and interns are placed in the Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice. Internships are available for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
http://www.supremecourt.gov/jobs/jip/jip.aspx
Internships are available in many Members' Washington, DC, and district or state offices, as well as in congressional committees' offices. Internships are generally unpaid and offered year-round. Applications are usually found at each Member's or committee's website, or candidates may contact the desired office directly. For lists of Member and committee websites and office contact information, see the Senate and House of Representatives websites.
Senate: http://www.senate.gov
House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov
Fellowships in congressional offices are offered by many organizations—such as the American Political Science Association (APSA), the American Psychological Association, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers—which give persons exposure to public policy and the legislative process. Placement for these fellowships is generally not done through the Members' or committees' offices but instead through the sponsoring organizations.
There is no centralized listing of all available congressional fellowships.1 Some well-known fellowship programs offered by professional organizations include the APSA Congressional Fellowships, http://oldapsa.apsanet.org/content_3031.cfm?navID=41; the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowships, http://fellowships.aaas.org/; Georgetown University's Capitol Hill Fellowships, http://gai.georgetown.edu/courses-programs/capitol-hill-fellowship/; and the Brookings Institution's Legis Congressional Fellowships, http://www.brookings.edu/about/execed/legis-fellowship
Government-sponsored fellowship programs that place fellows in congressional offices include the Department of Energy's Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, http://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program, http://seagrant.noaa.gov/fundingfellowships/knaussfellowship/prospectivefellows.aspx. The House of Representatives offers a two-year fellowship program for disabled veterans, the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program, which is described at http://cao.house.gov/wounded-warrior.
Several congressional fellowship programs, such as those sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Women's Research and Education Institute, are described in the "Minority Opportunities" section of this report. Some congressional fellowships are listed on the "Additional Opportunities for Students" page of USAJobs.gov at https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads.
College students and recent college graduates can apply for paid 10-week summer internships, in which they work on analyses in CBO's various divisions. CBO also offers paid Economic Policy Fellowships for applicants with PhDs.
https://www.cbo.gov/about/our-careers/our-internships
https://www.cbo.gov/about/our-careers/our-fellowships
In partnership with several student-serving organizations, colleges, and universities, CRS offers a limited number of paid summer internships through its Student Diversity Internship Program. Volunteer internship opportunities are available year-round and are available primarily to graduate students, postgraduate students, faculty, and other professionals. Undergraduate students with exceptional academic talent are also welcome to apply. In addition, CRS offers special hiring opportunities under the Presidential Management Fellows Program, CRS Graduate Recruit Program, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Cooperative Education program, and CRS Law Recruit Program. U.S. citizenship is required for all programs.
http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/index.php?action=cMain.showEmploymentPrograms
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) offers eligible college students a paid or volunteer internship. This internship lasts for 10-12 weeks. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
http://www.gao.gov/careers/student.html
The Library of Congress offers unpaid and paid internship, fellowship, and volunteer opportunities in several departments, such as the American Folklife Center, the Conservation Division, the Law Library of Congress and the Hispanic Division. Opportunities include the Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program, http://www.loc.gov/hr/jrfellows/, which offers a stipend.
For more information, go to http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/index.php, then choose "Internships, Fellowship & Volunteer Programs."
In addition to programs for graduate and postgraduate students, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers paid summer employment for high school students through the Student Summer Employment Program. Internships, fellowships, and other positions for all educational levels are available in Washington, DC, laboratories, and at regional EPA locations. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older and enrolled at an accredited institution.
http://www.epa.gov/careers/index.html
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers internship opportunities in several different bureaus or offices within the agency. The availability and timeframe for intern positions will vary by bureau or office. All application procedures function on a rolling admission policy.
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/internships-available-fcc
The Federal Reserve Board provides internship programs for undergraduate and graduate students considering careers in economics, finance and accounting, information systems, and law. Both paid and unpaid internships are available. Each division under the Federal Reserve Board has different requirements for their interns.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/careers/internships.htm
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) participates in the Pathways Programs with options ranging from internships at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi to social science student trainee positions at the Armstrong Flight Research Center. Specific NASA facilities also host their own unique programs, such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Summer Internship Program and NASA History Office Fellowships.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/career/index.html
http://nasajobs.nasa.gov/studentopps/Pathways.htm
The Smithsonian Institution provides various fellowship and internship programs and academic appointments within its museums and research institutes. Program descriptions are available on the Smithsonian Office of Fellowships and Internships website.
http://www.smithsonianofi.com/
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has several internship programs: the Paid Student Internship Program, Volunteer Student Internship Program, Internships in the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs, the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of Transition Initiatives, and other Regional Bureaus abroad. These internships are open to undergraduate and graduate students. USAID also offers fellowship opportunities for more advanced applicants.
http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/careers/student-internships
http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/careers/fellows-program
The Washington Center, http://www.twc.edu, is one of several organizations that place interns in the Washington area. The center's internship program provides unpaid opportunities college students and postgraduates. Students are placed within the public (including the federal government), private, and nonprofit sectors. Several internship programs specifically target minority applicants. Financial assistance is also available. Others programs include the Washington Internship Institute, http://www.wiidc.org, and the Fund for American Studies, http://www.tfas.org.
The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) offers paid internship and fellowship opportunities to Asian Pacific Americans to encourage participation in the political process. Selected students work in a congressional office or government agency in Washington, DC.
http://apaics.org/programs/summer-internships/
http://apaics.org/programs/fellowships/
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) offers an Internship Program, including a specialized communications program, as well as two fellowship programs: the Congressional Fellows Program and the Louis Stokes Urban Health Policy Fellows Program. Both fellows programs aim to provide research and policy analysis opportunities for persons with graduate or professional degrees. All CBCF programs include either a salary or a stipend and housing.
http://www.cbcfinc.org/cbcf-internships.html
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Summer Internship Program provides undergraduates with the opportunity to work in congressional offices. Interns receive housing, round-trip transportation, and a stipend. The CHCI Public Policy Fellowship Program provides graduate students, or recent college graduates, with the opportunity to obtain experience in public policy. The range of placements includes congressional offices, federal agencies, media, business federal affairs offices, advocacy groups, and government-related institutions. Fellows receive round-trip transportation and a stipend.
Internships website: http://www.chci.org/internships
Fellowships website: http://www.chci.org/fellowships
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program (HNIP) recruits undergraduate and graduate students from all academic majors for paid summer and semester internships at federal agencies and private companies in Washington, DC, and throughout the country. Interns may also receive round-trip transportation and housing.
http://www.hacu.net/hacu/HNIP.asp
This is a paid internship program for undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants are selected by federal agencies and other participating organizations in the Washington, DC, area. Interns may receive assistance with housing and travel expenses.
http://www.minorityaccess.org/ndiip.html
The foundation offers Native American students the opportunity to work in congressional offices, federal agencies, or the White House for the summer. Interns receive round-trip transportation, housing, and a stipend.
http://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/Internship/Internship.aspx
The program provides graduate and post-graduate students the opportunity to work for nine months in congressional offices as legislative aides on policy issues that affect women.
http://www.wrei.org/Fellows.htm
This selective bibliography lists more sources of information on internships, fellowships, and summer job opportunities. The publications can be used to find additional work experience opportunities, both inside and outside the federal government. These works may be available in local libraries or school or college guidance offices. Annotations identify publications that are issued annually. Other publications are updated irregularly; check with publishers for information on the latest editions.
Best Intern Ever: Roll Call's Guide to Acing Your Internship Washington, DC: CQ Roll Call, 2014.
A free E-book, described as the "ultimate Capitol Hill internship guide," from the CQ Roll Call Publishing Group. http://www.rollcall.com/pdfs/HN-Best-Intern-Ever-FINAL.pdf
Congressional Intern Handbook: a Guide for Interns and Newcomers to Capitol Hill. Washington, DC: Congressional Management Foundation, 2006. http://www.congressfoundation.org/publications/intern-handbook
Described as a "nuts-and-bolts guide to working in a Congressional office," this publication includes a chapter on "Finding a job or another internship" on Capitol Hill. This handbook is used in many congressional offices.
Encyclopedia of Associations. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Cengage. Annual.
This publication can be used to locate organizations by subject area. When standard internship directories contain no entries for internships in a specific field, relevant groups listed in this publication may be able to suggest contacts for internship opportunities. This work can be found in many libraries in print or in electronic form, as the Associations Unlimited subscription database.
Insider's Guide to Political Internships: What to Do Once You're In the Door. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2002.
This publication provides advice on "surviving and thriving" in political internships, including on Capitol Hill and in congressional district offices.
The Internship Bible (Princeton Review). 10th ed. New York: Random House, Inc., 2005.
This publication list more than 100,000 internship opportunities in such areas as law, television, advertising, sports, computers, journalism, music, health care, publishing, finance, education, and the environment. For each internship listed, the following is given: selectivity, compensation, location, field, duration, deadlines, work, perks, FYI, and how to apply.
Vault Guide to Top Internships. New York, NY: Vault. Annual.
This directory profiles internship programs at more than 750 companies, organizations and government agencies. Some of this information is also available on the internship portion of the Vault website at http://www.vault.com/internship-rankings.
Washington Internships: Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009.
This book provides information on how to become a valued intern and enhance networking skills. Insider tips are given on such things as how to deal with work related tasks and locating summer housing.
Acknowledgments
Supervisory Human Capital Program Specialist Nancy Warrick and Intern John Steele provided assistance on this report.
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House and Senate offices attempting to identify sources of possible congressional fellows may wish to request a copy of the Congressional Research Service congressional distribution memorandum, "Congressional Fellowship Programs" (available from the authors of this report.). |