97-583 C
Internships and Fellowships:
Congressional, Federal, and Other
Work Experience Opportunities
Barbara Hillson
Senior Research Librarian
Congressional Reference Division
June 2, 1997
INTERNSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
CONGRESSIONAL, FEDERAL, AND OTHER
WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
SUMMARY
To assist congressional offices in responding to requests for information about
internships, fellowships, and other work experience programs, CRS has prepared this
report on congressional internships, other federal government internships, and
congressional, judicial, and presidential fellowships. Detailed information on additional
programs is outside the scope of this report. However, an annotated bibliography lists
further sources of information on internships, fellowships, and summer jobs.
The
publications listed can be used to locate additional work experience opportunities, both
inside and outside the federal government.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
LBJ (LYNDON B. JOHNSON) CONGRESSIONAL INTERN PROGRAM .
2
OTHER INTERNSHIPS IN MEMBER OFFICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
INTERNSHIPS IN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
. . . . . . . . . . .
2
CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS OFFERED BY UNIVERSITIES AND
PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
INTERNSHIPS IN CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT AGENCIES . . . . . . . . .
3
OTHER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
FELLOWSHIPS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
INTERNSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
CONGRESSIONAL, FEDERAL, AND OTHER WORK
EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
INTRODUCTION
In response to numerous requests for information on this topic, we have compiled
this report on congressional internships, other federal government internships, and
congressional, judicial, and presidential fellowships. Also included is a guide to further
sources of information on internships, fellowships, and summer jobs. This guide can be
used to locate additional work experiences, both inside and outside the federal
government. The publications listed may be purchased using the information given, or
they may be available for consultation in local libraries or school or college guidance
offices.
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in the names of specific
programs, this report differentiates between internship and fellowship work experiences
in the federal government. Fellowships generally are intended for persons with advanced
degrees or substantial professional experience, and are usually salaried positions lasting
nine months to a year or more. Internships are generally salaried or volunteer short-term
arrangements, requiring less experience and often filled by current students. In addition,
some programs which are called internships do not actually place persons in federal jobs;
any such programs described below are distinguished from internship programs which
provide work experience.
Applying for an internship or fellowship is like applying for admission to a college
or university. The first step is to check through directories to see what programs are
available (see accompanying bibliography), then to decide what type of internship or
fellowship might be of interest, and finally to write or telephone the sponsor for additional
information and an application form. Because competition is stiff in many intern and
fellowship programs, with applicants greatly exceeding the number of positions available,
it is generally worthwhile to apply to more than one program.
CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS
Congressional internships are available both through Members of Congress and
private organizations, and they are extremely competitive. Members of the House of
Representatives, Senators, congressional committees, and other congressional groups such
as caucuses and study groups may appoint a person to the regular staff and designate that
person’s title as intern, or volunteers may be designated as interns.
The duties, responsibilities, and salary (if any) of interns varies from office to office.
Some interns are given routine tasks as clerks or messengers, while those in another office
may do legislative research.
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LBJ (LYNDON B. JOHNSON) CONGRESSIONAL INTERN PROGRAM
In 1973, House Resolution 420 authorized the designation of the term "LBJ
Congressional Intern," although it did not require Members to use this title when hiring
interns. The program authorized each Representative to hire up to two LBJ interns per
year, but in May 1994 the program was suspended due to reductions in legislative branch
employment levels.
Members can still sponsor unpaid interns who work on a voluntary basis. Volunteers
are not counted on the House payroll and do not contribute to overall employment levels.
Another alternative is for Members to pay interns out of their regular office budgets. This
option is possible only if a Member has not already reached the limit of 22 staffers and
has excess funds available.
OTHER INTERNSHIPS IN MEMBER OFFICES
Internships are available in many Member offices. Descriptions of some of these
opportunities are found in
Internships in Congress (see bibliography).
Application for an internship in a specific Member’s office should be made through
the individual Senator or Representative. Members of Congress may be addressed as
follows:
Honorable __________
Honorable __________
United States Senate
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510
Washington, DC 20515
Telephone: (202) 224-3121 (ask for Member)
Inquiries may also be addressed to congressional district offices; these addresses can be
located through standard reference sources such as the
Congressional Directory.
INTERNSHIPS IN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
Application for an internship with a congressional committee, an informal
congressional organization, or a party organization should be made to the committee or
to individual Members of the committee or organization. Congressional committees and
organizations are addressed as follows:
[Name of committee, etc.]
[Name of committee, etc.]
United States Senate
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510
Washington, DC 20515
Telephone: (202) 224-3121 (ask for committee or organization)
Several congressional committees and caucuses which have longstanding intern
programs are listed below.
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Congressional Arts Caucus
House Committee on the Budget
House Democratic Caucus
House Republican Policy Committee
Republican Policy Committee (Senate)
Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee
Other congressional bodies may also provide internship opportunities. Congressional
committees and organizations in a wide variety of subject areas can be identified in such
reference sources as the
Congressional Directory (Washington, U.S. Government Printing
Office, biennial); the
Congressional Staff Directory (Alexandria, VA, CQ Staff
Directories, three times a year), and the
Congressional Yellow Book (Washington,
Leadership Directories, quarterly).
For information on congressional caucuses, study
groups, and other informal congressional organizations, the
Congressional Yellow Book
is a particularly useful source. One or more of these reference works can be consulted
in many local public or research libraries.
CONGRESSIONAL
INTERNSHIPS
OFFERED
BY
UNIVERSITIES AND
PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
In addition to internships available directly from Members and congressional
committees, various universities and private organizations offer programs which place
interns in congressional offices. Some of these programs also place interns in other
agencies of the federal government. Students should check with their own colleges and
universities to see if they operate a congressional intern program. School placement
offices can be a useful source of such listings, along with electronic bulletin boards or
sites on the World Wide Web.
INTERNSHIPS IN CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT AGENCIES
Three congressional support agencies also offer internships; these are listed below.
Interns are not placed in congressional offices but work in organizations providing
research support and information to the Congress.
Congressional Budget Office
Note:
The Congressional Budget Office provides Congress with budget-
related information and explains possible budget ramifications of
proposed legislation.
Contact:
Congressional Budget Office, 410 Ford House Office Building,
Washington, DC 20515
Telephone: (202) 226-2621
Congressional Research Service
Note:
The Congressional Research Service is a legislative branch research
agency and provides information upon request to Members and
committees. Volunteer interns assist CRS staff in responding to
CRS-4
public policy related inquiries.
Open to college undergraduates,
graduate students, and other professionals.
Contact:
The
Library
of
Congress,
Warren
Lenhart,
CRS/D,
101
Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20540-7000
Telephone: (202) 707-7641
Internet: gopher://marvel.loc.gov/11/employee/employ/internships
General Accounting Office
Note:
The General Accounting Office serves as an auditing and
investigative agency for Congress and makes recommendations for
more effective government operations. College students may be
selected to serve as unpaid interns for up to 16 weeks.
Contact:
General Accounting Office, Office of Recruitment, Room 1157, 441
G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20548
Telephone: (202) 512-4900
OTHER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIPS
Federal agency internships are also very popular and highly competitive. Many
federal agencies hire seasonal employees for the summer months. Those seeking such jobs
should realize that hiring in federal agencies is decentralized, which means that each
federal agency generally hires staff through its own personnel office. Candidates should
locate agencies appropriate to their interests, using standard reference directories, and
apply directly by contacting the personnel office.
Students working toward a college or graduate degree, technical school certificate,
or diploma are eligible for the Student Temporary Employment Program, with
appointments that last up to one year. The second component for student employment is
the Student Career Experience Program which may qualify its candidates for conversion
to a career or career-conditional appointment.
Students interested in either program
should contact their school guidance or placement office for further information;
acceptance in both programs is arranged through high schools and colleges themselves.
Further information on these programs is provided in
Earn and Learn (see bibliography).
Other established internship programs within the federal government can be
identified through the use of additional publications listed in the bibliography. However,
opportunities also exist for persons to "create" individual internships by contacting
relevant federal offices and inquiring about internship possibilities.
Addresses and
telephone numbers of government agencies and information about them appear in the
United States Government Manual (Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office,
annual), available in many libraries.
Other useful resources include the
Washington Information Directory (Washington,
Congressional Quarterly, Inc., annual); the
Federal Yellow Book (Washington, Leadership
Directories, quarterly); the
Federal Staff Directory and
Judicial Staff Directory
(Alexandria, VA, Congressional Staff Directories, annual); and the
Federal Executive
Directory and
Federal Regional Directory (Washington, Carroll Publishing Co., published
twice a year). The detailed subject and keyword indexes in these publications facilitate
CRS-5
the identification of federal government offices involved in specific subject fields and
professions. One or more of the publications can be consulted in many larger libraries.
Persons interested in setting up internships should contact the relevant federal offices
directly.
FELLOWSHIPS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The following programs place fellowship recipients, generally for a one-year term,
in congressional offices, federal agencies, or the Supreme Court of the United States.
Congressional programs predominate in the listing; placement is in Member or committee
offices unless otherwise noted. One may also wish to contact individual federal agencies
to inquire about additional fellowship programs. The resources detailed above can be
used to identify relevant federal offices.
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)--Congressional
Science and Engineering Fellowships
Note:
The AAAS also coordinates science and engineering fellowships
sponsored by other professional societies.
Contact:
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Directorate
for Science and Policy Programs, 1200 New York Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 326-6600
American Chemical Society--Congressional Fellowship Program
Contact:
American Chemical Society, 1155 16th Street, NW, Washington,
DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 872-4467
American Geophysical Union--Congressional Science Fellowship Program
Contact:
American
Geophysical
Union,
2000
Florida
Avenue,
NW,
Washington, DC 20009
Telephone: (202) 462-6900
Internet: http://www.agu.org/inside/fellnom98.html
American Physical Society--Congressional Scientist Fellowship Program
Contact:
American Physical Society, 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 1050,
Washington, DC 20045
Telephone: (202) 662-8700
American Political Science Association--Congressional Fellowship Program
Contact:
American Political Science Association, 1527 New Hampshire
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 483-2512
American Psychological Association--Congressional Science Fellowship Program
Contact:
American Psychological Association, Public Policy Office, 750 First
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
Telephone: (202) 336-6066
Internet: http://www.apa.org/ppo/fellow4.html
CRS-6
American Society for Microbiology--Congressional Science Fellow Program
Contact:
American Society for Microbiology, 1325 Massachusetts Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 737-3600
American Society of Mechanical Engineers--Congressional Fellow Program
Contact:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1828 L Street, NW,
Suite 906, Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 785-3756
Internet: http://www.asme.org/gric/mfgf.html
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation--Congressional Fellows Program
Contact:
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, 1004 Pennsylvania
Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003
Telephone: (202) 675-6730
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc.--Fellowship Program
Contact:
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc., 504 C Street, NE,
Washington, DC 20002
Telephone: (202) 543-1771
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers--Congressional Fellows Program
Contact:
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, 1828 L Street, NW,
Suite 1202, Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 785-0017
Jacob K. Javits Senate Fellowship Program
Note:
Funding for this program is scheduled to end; applications are not
available for the 1997-98 academic year.
Contact:
Jacob J. Javits Fellowship Program, P.O. Box 84, Washington, DC
20044
Telephone: (800)-433-3243
Judicial Fellows Program
Note:
Places mid-career professionals, including non-attorneys, for a
calendar year term in the Supreme Court, the Federal Judicial
Center, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, or the
U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Contact:
Judicial Fellows Program, Office of the Administrative Assistant to
the Chief Justice, Room 5, Supreme Court of the United States,
Washington, DC 20543
Telephone: (202) 479-3415
Judicial Intern Program
Note:
Geared toward advanced undergraduates and graduating seniors with
an interest in law, management, and social sciences. Internships are
offered
covering
a
several-month
period
and
are
without
compensation.
CRS-7
Contact:
Judicial Fellows Program, Office of the Administrative Assistant to
the Chief Justice, Room 5, Supreme Court of the United States,
Washington, DC 20543
Telephone: (202) 479-3415
LEGIS Fellows Program
Note:
Places current executive branch personnel in congressional offices.
Contact:
The LEGIS Fellows Program, Government Affairs Institute, the
Brookings
Institution,
1775
Massachusetts
Avenue,
NW,
Washington, DC 20036-2188
Telephone: (202) 797-6316
Internet: http://www.brook.edu/cppe/hotwork.htm
National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine--Robert Wood Johnson Health
Policy Fellowship Program
Note:
Placed primarily in congressional offices.
Contact:
Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship Program, Institute
of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20418
Telephone: (202) 334-1506
Presidential Management Intern Program
Note:
Places graduate students from a variety of disciplines into federal
agency assignments for two-year appointments.
Contact:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Presidential Management
Intern Program, Philadelphia Service Center, Federal Building, 600
Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Telephone: (215) 597-7136
or call Career America Connection at (912) 757-3000
Internet: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/b3.htm
White House Fellowships
Note:
Intended for young professionals who have demonstrated academic
and professional excellence.
Places recipients in a cabinet-level
agency, the Executive Office of the President, the Vice President’s
Office, or with smaller agencies where they work as full-time paid
assistants.
Contact:
President’s Commission on White House Fellowships, 712 Jackson
Place, NW, Washington, DC 20503
FAX: (202) 395-6179
Telephone: (202) 395-4522
Internet:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/WH_Fellows/html/fellows1-plain.html
Women’s Research and Education Institute--Congressional Fellowships on Women
and Public Policy
Note:
Send a self-addressed stamped envelope to obtain an application.
Contact:
Women’s Research and Education Institute, 1750 New York Ave.,
NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: (202) 628-0444
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
The following annotated bibliography lists additional sources of information on
internships, fellowships, and summer job and service opportunities. The publications
listed can be used to locate additional work experience opportunities, both inside and
outside the federal government.
The publications listed may be available in local libraries or school or college
guidance offices. Purchasing information is also provided.
Notes identify publications updated annually. Other publications on the list are
updated irregularly; check with the publisher for information on the latest edition.
The ACCESS Guide to International Affairs Internships in the Washington, DC Area.
This directory provides a listing of over 220 organizations located in and
around Washington, DC, which offer internships related to international affairs and
foreign policy.
The guide includes several indexes and has a bibliography of
additional sources.
Available from: ACCESS: A Security Information Service, 1701 K Street,
NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20006.
Telephone: (202) 223-7949
Congressional Intern Handbook, Summer 97.
This guidebook is geared to those already accepted as congressional interns.
It provides background information on the structure of Congress, office rules and
procedures, building maps, and resources on Capitol Hill.
Available from:
U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on House
Oversight, 1309 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515-6157.
Telephone: (202) 225-8281
Directory of International Internships, by Charles A. Gliozzo, 3rd ed., 1994.
Lists of internship opportunities with an international focus are provided in this
directory.
Programs offered by educational institutions, government agencies,
companies, and private organizations are included, both in the United States and
abroad. This directory includes bibliographic references and indexes by geographic
area and academic discipline.
Available from:
Michigan State University, Career Development and
Placement Services, Student Services Building, Room 113, East Lansing, MI 48824-
1046.
Telephone: (517) 355-9510
Overseas Summer Jobs 1997, 28th ed.
Lists summer job openings outside the United States,covering nations
throughout the world from Australia to Zaire. Also provided is information on
clearinghouses which arrange internships on a worldwide basis; on au pair, paying
guest, and exchange visit arrangements; and on visa, residence, and work regulations
in other countries. Updated annually; the areas covered may vary from year to year.
CRS-9
Available from: Peterson’s Guides, Inc., P.O. Box 2123, Princeton, NJ 08543-
2123.
Telephone: (800) 338-3282 or (609) 243-9111
Also generally available in bookstores.
Earn and Learn:
Cooperative Education Opportunities Offered by Federal
Government, [date], by Joseph M. Re.
This guide offers information on the Federal Cooperative Education Program,
which combines classroom study with paid work experience in an agency of the U.S.
government. Also included is an overview of the Junior Fellowship Program, for
which students must demonstrate financial need. Includes a listing of federal agency
contact points. Updated annually.
Available from: Octameron Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 2748, Alexandria, VA
22301.
Telephone: (703) 836-5480
Encyclopedia of Associations
This annual publication can be used to locate organizations in a particular
subject area. When standard internship directories do not contain any entries for
internships in a specific field, relevant organizations may be able to suggest contacts
for internship opportunities.
Available from: Gale Research, Inc., 835 Penobscot Building, Detroit, MI
48226-4094.
Telephone: (800) 877-4253
Also available in most U.S. libraries. Also available as a CD-ROM.
Higher Education MoneyBook for Women and Minorities, by William C. and Doris M.
Bruce Young.
This directory contains more than 3,000 listings for undergraduate through
postgraduate students, including many internship and fellowship opportunities.
Indexes by state, field of study, and keyword are included.
Available from: Young Enterprises International, Inc., 5937 16th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20011.
Telephone: (202) 829-0039
Fax: (202) 829-7809
Internships; The Hotlist for Job Hunters, by Sara D. Gilbert, 2nd ed., 1997.
This publication provides a list of over 25,000 opportunities for internships
with cultural, business, public, and service organizations. The directory is arranged
by subject, and includes indexes by region and by organization, as well as a list of
useful organizations for national networking.
Available from:
Macmillan Publishing Co., 201 West 103rd Street,
Indianapolis, IN 46290.
Telephone: (800) 428-5331
Internships and Job Opportunities in New York City and Washington, DC.
Presents information on internships in a variety of fields available in these two
geographic areas; most are in the private sector. Reproduces letters and brochures
about these internships collected by annual survey.
Available from: The Graduate Group, P.O. Box 370351, West Hartford, CT
06137-0351.
Telephone: (860) 233-2330
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Internships in Congress.
Describes opportunities for internships in congressional offices, based on an
annual survey of Members of Congress. Updated annually.
Available from: The Graduate Group, P.O. Box 370351, West Hartford, CT
06137-0351.
Telephone: (860) 233-2330
Internships in Federal Government.
Internships available in agencies of the U.S. government are described in this
publication, which is updated annually. Most of the internship programs listed are
in the Washington, DC, area.
Available from: The Graduate Group, P.O. Box 370351, West Hartford, CT
06137-0351.
Telephone: (860) 233-2330
Internships in State Government.
Provides current information on hundreds of internships offered in state
government offices throughout the United States. Updated annually.
Available from: The Graduate Group, P.O. Box 370351, West Hartford, CT
06137-2330.
Telephone: (860) 233-2330
National Directory of Internships, 1996-97 ed.
This directory provides descriptions of internships, covering 85 fields of
interest, that are offered by nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and
corporations. The internships described include programs aimed at a wide range of
individuals, from college and graduate students to mid-career professionals and
retirees.
Available from: National Society for Experiential Education, 3509 Haworth
Drive, Suite 207, Raleigh, NC 27609-7229.
Fax: (919) 787-3381
Telephone: (919) 787-3263
Internet: http://www.tripod.com/nsee/publications.html
Opportunities in Public Affairs.
A semimonthly publication announcing positions as interns and fellows with
the federal government, non-profit organizations, institutes, publishing and broadcast
media, and the private sector.
Available from: Brubach Publishing, P.O. Box 34949, Bethesda, MD 20827.
Telephone: (301) 571-0102
Peterson’s Internships 1997.
Listed here are profiles of over 35,000 short-term intern positions in 27 career
fields. Includes indexes by geographic area, field of interest, and by employer name.
Also included is a section on internship referral and placement services. Updated
annually.
Available from: Peterson’s Guides, P.O. Box 2123, Princeton, NJ 08543-2123.
Telephone: (800) 338-3282
Also generally available in bookstores.
CRS-11
The Princeton Review; Student Advantage Guide to America’s Top Internships, by
Mark Oldman, 1997 ed.
Selected internships in a variety of fields, from law and government to
publishing, finance, and education, are described in this guide. Based on surveys
and interviews, each internship program is rated in terms of selectivity,
compensation, and quality of life for participants. Indexes by geographic area and
field of study are provided.
Available from: Villard Books, 400 Hahn Road, Westminster, MD 21157.
Telephone: (800) 726-0600
Summer Jobs for Students 1997.
Provided in this directory are state-by-state listings of over 20,000 summer
work experiences available to students, teachers, and others, representing a variety
of fields.
The index arrangement includes access to opportunities for
interns/volunteers.
Available from: Peterson’s Guides, P.O. Box 2123, Princeton, NJ 08543-2123.
Telephone: (800) 338-3282
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
The Internet offers the opportunity to identify and access many current internship
and fellowship opportunities. Researchers may be able to use the Internet through a large
public or research library, and students may be able to access it through their college or
university libraries. Because up-to-date information is crucial to the application process,
using the Internet can be helpful in obtaining current information on internship and
fellowship programs, their deadlines, application materials, and other relevant details.
Since the Internet offers a wealth of materials in such fields as career guidance, summer
job opportunities, etc., the following list of sites is selective, and represents a starting
point for those seeking data on programs which are currently available.
Contract Center Network
A non-profit organization which promotes action on issues of concern, this Web site
offers indexes by field of interest, geographical region, etc., along with summaries of
available opportunities.
http://www.contact.org/IS/intern_search.html
Inroads
This St. Louis-based organization places minority youth in business and industry
with summer internships.
http://www.inroadsinc.org:80/html/roaddir.htm
Service and Internship Opportunities in the Developing World and Eastern Europe
This site contains approximately 150 opportunities for service and intern
opportunities in developing countries and Eastern Europe.
http://www.istc.umn.edu/Work/volunteer-search.html
Smithsonian Internship Opportunities
Information is provided on internships at each of the Smithsonian’s museums and
many of its research institutes, geared to the undergraduate level and above.
http://www.si.edu/youandsi/studies/infell.html
CRS-12
Washington Center
This organization arranges off-campus internships for college students from all
majors, in government agencies, corporations, and non-profits in the Washington, DC
area.
http://www.twc.edu/intern.html