Political Science Internship Opportunities

Students are understandably interested in how a political science education can prepare them for future careers. In addition to the courses offered regularly by the department, students are encouraged to think seriously about taking advantage of internship and study-abroad programs offered by the University.

1. Government-Related Internship.
Students can work in Connecticut or even out-of-state for a variety of state or federal agencies, interest groups, law firms, or the local offices of U.S. senators and representatives. No application is required, and students are responsible for arranging their internship. Recent requests for interns from several organizations are available from the Internship Adviser. Government-Related interns write a research paper due at the end of the semester. Paper requirements can be acquired from the Internship Adviser.

2. Connecticut General Assembly Internship.
Each spring semester, 15 students serve as interns at the state legislature during the entire session. Applications are available from the Internship Adviser in early October. Completed applications must be submitted by November 1 and interviews are held in late November. Acceptance notices are sent in early December. Students applying for this internship should register for spring classes as if not applying to serve as interns. This ensures enrollment in other classes if they are not accepted. Applicants that are accepted drop the other classes for which they pre-registered. CGA interns write a research paper due at the end of the semester. See the Internship Adviser for paper requirements.

3. Washington Center Internship in Washington, D.C.
Students also have the opportunity of working in the nation’s capital in federal agencies and departments, congressional offices, or government-related organizations. The University of Connecticut participates in the Washington Center program in which interns work full-time and also take a class. Information booklets and applications are available from the Internship Adviser or the Merlin Bishop Center.

4.UConn Washington DC Honors Internship Program
Students admitted to the program have the opportunity for one semester to become a full-time Washington DC staff member for one of Connecticut 's members of Congress. As a staff member, you will participate in the daily functions of the congressional office, such as constituent service. Motivated interns usually earn additional responsibilities, such as attending committee hearings, writing policy memos, and researching legislation. This potentially career-defining opportunity is eligible to all UConn students in their Junior or Senior year and with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Selection is on a competitive basis . More information and applications are available through www.studyabroad.uconn.edu . The faculty contact is Jeffrey Ladewig in the Department of Political Science.

Other important information:

1. Enrolling.
To sign up for an internship taken through the Political Science Department, students must be a junior or senior and have at least a 2.5 overall GPA. Students enroll in person (not through People Soft) with the Internship Adviser because POLS 297 and 299 require Department consent. Approval on the add card is also required from the student’s major adviser and the Head of the Political Science Department. Enrollment is completed when the student delivers the add card to the registrar’s office (except for the Washington Center internships--these add cards should be taken to the Merlin Bishop Center).

2. Credit for internships.
Government-Related internships can be for up to 9 hours and can be broken down as follows: 3 days a week, 9 credits (6 for POLS 297, 3 for POLS 299); 2 days a week, 6 credits (4 for POLS 297, 2 for POLS 299); and 1 day a week, 3 credits (2 for POLS 297, 1 for POLS 299). Connecticut General Assembly interns can work either full-time--5 days a week, 15 credits (12 for POLS 297, 3 for POLS 299), or part-time--2 days a week, 6 credits (4 for POLS 297, 2 for POLS 299). Interns can earn at the Washington Center 12 credits (9 for POLS 297, 3 for POLS 299), at the Honors Program Internship 15 credits (12 for POLS 297, 3 for POLS 299), and at American University 16 credits.

3. Satisfying the minimum hours requirement for a Political Science degree.
Only six credits of POLS 297 or 299 may apply to satisfy the 200-level requirement of 24 hours for the Political Science major. Additional hours may count toward the total required for graduation. See your adviser if you have questions about this.

4. Summer internships.
You can be an intern in the summer, from May to August! Contact Greg Williams, the Internship Adviser for details (486-5333).

5. What are POLS 297 and 299?
The UCONN Undergraduate Catalog specifies:
297 Supervised Field Work. Either or both semesters. Credits up to 12. Hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of the department head.
299 Independent Study for Undergraduates. Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. This course may be repeated for credit with a change in subject matter. Open only with consent of instructor and department head.

Internship Adviser: Greg Williams
Office: Monteith Room 134
Phone: (860) 486-5333
E-mail: williams.gregory.p@gmail.com

Questions?

Direct inquiries to: williams.gregory.p@gmail.com