Internship Process

How does the internship search work?

Washington Program students can begin their internship search immediately, supported by program staff who offer guidance, resources, and access to an internship database. The process includes attending workshops, researching opportunities, preparing applications, practicing for interviews, and evaluating offers.

Although the program does not directly place students in internships, it equips participants with the tools needed to secure positions across diverse sectors in the D.C. area. Starting the search with clear career goals and an understanding of available opportunities is essential for success.

Search Engines

Most research can be completed using Google, internship search engines, and organization websites, though you may have to call or email the organization to learn more about the internship.

  • General
  • • Indeed: Best for general internships spanning policy, marketing, research, and advocacy.
    • Linkedin: Best for students seeking tailored searches by career interests.
    • Idealist: Best for students interested in nonprofits or think tanks. 
    • Glassdoor: Best for Researching company reviews, salary data, and interview experiences, in addition to job searching. STEM friendly.
    • Handshake: Best for college students and recent graduates looking for internships, job opportunities, and campus-specific opportunities.
    • FastWeb: Best for general college students and recent graduates looking for scholarships, internships, and entry-level positions.
    • Foreign Policy Association Job Board: Best for careers in international affairs, foreign policy, diplomacy, and global relations.
    • Global Jobs: Best for international job seekers looking for opportunities outside of their home country.
    • Google Group for Jobs in DC: Best for networking and job opportunities in Washington, D.C., particularly for government, policy, and advocacy roles.
    • Google Jobs:  Best for searching across multiple job boards, company websites, and aggregators for a streamlined job search experience.
    • InternJobs: Best for internship seekers looking for short-term, temporary, or project-based roles across various industries.
    • Internweb: Best for matching students and recent graduates with internship opportunities.
    • MediaBistro: Best for careers in media, publishing, and creative fields (e.g., journalism, marketing, PR).
    • Monster: Best for broad job searches across many industries, including full-time and part-time roles.
    • National Labor Exchange: Best for government job seekers, particularly those interested in federal, state, and local government positions.
    • Pathways-USAJobs for Students: Best for federal government internships and entry-level positions for students and recent graduates.
    • SimplyHired: Best for broad job search that combines results from multiple job boards and company listings.
    • Way Up: Best for internships and early-career roles tailored to underrepresented groups and young professionals.
    • ZipRecruiter: Best for quick job searching with easy-to-use interface that integrates with multiple job boards and company websites.
  • Government
  • • USAJobs: Best for students interested in federal government jobs.
    • Senate Employment Bulletin
    • U.S. Senate 
    • U.S. House of Representatives
    • U.S. House of Representatives - Jobs & Internships
    • U.S. House of Representatives - College Internships
    • White House
    • Federal internships
    • HillZoo
  • GoinGlobal
  • • GoinGlobal: Best for students seeking global, nonprofit, and corporate internships.
  • Types and Lists of Nonprofits in DC
  • • CauseIQ

Internship Responsibilities

Interns carry a variety of responsibilities, including researching, writing, attending, and reporting on congressional hearings. Furthermore, students may be responsible for general office organization and upkeep, database management, meeting attendance, and note-taking, and much more. The most successful interns are competent at working individually or in group settings, and are committed to learning as much as possible from the experience.

Expectations

During the academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring), students are required to earn academic credit by interning at an organization for three to four days a week (24-32 hours). In addition to the internship, students are expected to complete academic and research obligations in the form of the required 4 credit research seminar during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters

During the summer, students can choose to earn academic credit by interning at an organization 3 to 5 days a week (18-40 hours). They can also choose to do the internship for NO academic credit, but the time commitment remains the same.

Most internships are unpaid. Any stipend or other financial agreements are the responsibility of the student to negotiate with the internship supervisor.

Internship Programs with Early Deadlines

Because of criteria such as security clearance and background checks, some internship deadlines occur before the Washington Program deadlines. These organizations include the Department of State, Department of Defense, and the White House.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – 12 months in advance of start date
U.S. Department of State – Jan-Feb (Fall), May-June (Spring)
The White House – April-May (Fall), July-August (Spring)
The Supreme Court – June 15 (Fall), October 15 (Spring)