Internships, Job Hunting, and Other Career Resources
Information assembled by Dr. Tiffany Miller for the Department of Politics, University of Dallas, March 2006. (Additional staff updates Feb. 2012).
The American Conservative Union (ACU) and the Conservative Political Action conference (CPAC) are interested in conservative interns, preferably with some political experience, to assist in the preparation of the annual CPAC conference.
Alliance Defense Fund- www.alliancedefensefund.org
The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) offers a number of programs and fellowships for future lawyers. Among these are the National Litigation Academy, the Blackstone Fellowship, and the William Pew Religious Freedom Scholarship. More information can be found on their website, or by contacting ADF at:
American Enterprise Institute- www.aei.org
The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) offers internships in such areas as Economic Policy, Foreign and Defense Studies, Social and Political Studies, Public Relations, Communications, Information Systems, Marketing, and Accounting. More information can be found at https://aeiinternships.silkroad.com/.
The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) offers a number of internships in fields such as Legislative Affairs, Public Affairs, Corporate Relations, Publications Marketing/ Advertising, and Editorial internships. More information can be found at http://www.afsa.org/internships_at_afsa.aspx.
America’s Future Foundation- www.americasfuture.org
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a bipartisan conservative organization dedicated to the ideals of federalism, which seeks to enlist legislators to support Jeffersonian principles. Internships are offered year-round, in such areas as Legislation and Policy, Public Affairs, and Finance. More information can be found at http://www.alec.org/about-alec/internship-opportunities/.
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) – www.atr.org
ATR accepts applications from undergraduate and graduate students of all majors. However, applicants should have a strong interest in tax reform and economic policy. Part-time hours are available; full-time associates receive a $250/week stipend, with part-time scale varying. For more information on ATR, go to http://atr.org/information-atrs-internship-opportunities-a2963.
The American society of International Law (ASIL) offers internships in such areas as Finance, International Legal Materials, Library/ Research, and Sales and Marketing. More information can be found http://asil.org/job-internship-opportunities.cfm.
The Atlantic Council offers full and part-time internships in the fall, spring and summer for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates who are interested in gaining practical experience in public policy. Interns participate in a variety of activities that support individual programs and divisions, including research, writing, event management and project development. Students should have a strong interest in international affairs and U.S. foreign relations. More information can be found at http://www.acus.org/about/employment-internships/internship-opportunities.
The Cato Institute offers paid internships to undergraduate, graduate students, and law students who are committed to private property, free markets, limited government, and classical liberalism. More information on the internships can be found at http://www.cato.org/jobs/intern/.
The Center for Defense Information (CDI) offers paid internships for Research, Television, and Computer Interns. Research areas include Military Policy, Russian Studies, Asain Studies, Public Affairs, and many others. More information can be found at http://www.cdi.org/internships/intern.cfm or by contacting CDI at:
Internship Coordinator
Center for Defense Information
1779 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-2109
Phone: 202-332-0600
Fax: 202-462-4559
The Center for Individual Rights (CIR) is a public interest legal organization that specializes in litigating free speech and civil rights cases. A limited number of internships and clerkships are offered. More information can be found at http://cir-usa.org/intern.html.
The Center for Security Policy offers internships to college students, graduate students, and recent graduates, to assist with research, analysis, writing, and editing in order to prepare the Center’s publications. More information can be found on their Internship page at http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/1241.xml.
Center for Strategic and International Studies- www.csis.org
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) offers internships to undergraduate students and recent graduates who are interested in public policy and foreign affairs. More information on the program can be found at http://csis.org/about-us/internships.
The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) offers internships to students to work on programs such as High Technology and The New Economy, Health and Safety Regulation, and Environmental Studies. More information can be found at http://cei.org/internships.
The FBI Honors Internship Program is a paid internship opportunity that offers undergraduate and graduate school students throughout the nation, an exciting insider's view of FBI operations and provides an opportunity to explore the many career opportunities within the Bureau. The Honors Internship Program brings students to work at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., or select Field Office locations. FBI Honors Interns will spend 10 weeks working side-by-side with FBI employees on a whole array of organizational matters and in some instances cases.
The FBI Volunteer Internship Program is an unpaid internship opportunity that offers undergraduates, graduates or post-doctorate students throughout the country an exciting insider's view of FBI operations and an opportunity to explore career opportunities within the Bureau. The Volunteer Internship Program brings students to work at select Field Office locations and FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC.
DOJ offers a variety of student programs such as the Attorney General's Honors Program, various Legal Intern Programs, the Student Temporary Employment Program, Student Career Experience Program, Presidential Management Fellows Program, Federal Career Intern Program, Workforce Recruitment Program, Student Volunteer Program, Outstanding Scholar appointments, and others. To learn more about each of these programs, go to http://www.justice.gov/careers/student_programs.html.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) offers internships to students in the General Counsel office, the FAA, the Federal Highway administration, and Research and Special Programs administration. For more information, go to http://careers.dot.gov/stu_intern.html.
Eagle Forum Collegians is comprised of college students dedicated to promoting conservatism on college campuses by hosting knowledgeable speakers and authors, writing for campus newspapers, promoting and campaigning for local conservative candidates, speaking up in class, and participating in or starting conservative clubs on campus. For internship opportunities in Washington, DC or in St. Louis, go to http://www.efcollegians.org/internships.
The Family Research Council’s internship program is designed to prepare students who are passionate about public service; students who want to make a difference. FRC believes that the Judeo-Christian worldview is foundational to a just, free and stable society. The internship involves education, researching, and administrative work. See http://www.frc.org/internships for more information.
As an intern for FreedomWorks, you may have the opportunity to monitor hearings and press conferences on Capitol Hill and at the White House. You may also attend conferences and seminars, conduct research on economic policy topics, assist with grassroots events and mobilization efforts, assist with various publications, in addition to providing general office support to the staff. FreedomWorks provides internship opportunities for students interested in Federal Campaigns Operations, Public Affairs, Economic Research, Public Policy, Development/Fundraising, and related Graphic Design/Web Development. If you have a strong interest in and commitment to free market ideas and public policy, consider applying for the internship at http://www.freedomworks.org/about/internships.
The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) sponsors several institutions both in the United States and abroad. Among the institutes in the United States are the Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems, the Institute on Political Journalism, the Bryce Harlow Institute on Business and Government Affairs, and the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service. More information on these institutes can be found at www.dcinternships.org.
International institutes include the American Institute on Political and Economic Systems, Prague, the International Institute of Political and Economic studies, Greece, and the Asia Institute for Political Economy. More information on these institutes can be found at www.tfasinternational.org.
The Goldwater Institute is a Phoenix-based public policy research institute dedicated to the promotion of free-market ideals. Each year the Institute offers college students and recent graduates the opportunity to participate in the Ronald Reagan Fellows Internship Program. Through policy research, staff mentoring, seminar attendance, event participation and administrative assistance, Ronald Reagan Fellows gain a foundational understanding of the classical liberal principles that shaped Reagan’s presidency.
Fellows are selected on a rolling basis each fall, spring and summer semester for full-time participation in the program. A minimum of 24 hours per week is considered full-time; part-time applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The program offers a modest stipend. More information on the program can be found on the Institute’s website, at http://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/tomorrows-leaders.
Government Accountability Project- www.whistleblower.org
The Independent Institute offers a number of fellowships, seminars, and paid internship programs for students related to the free market. Particular internships are offered in Acquisitions, Communications, Donor Relations, Marketing, and Publications. More information can be found at http://www.independent.org/students/internships/.
The Institute for Humane Studies offers numerous public policy internships. Check out their website for information on internships, fellowships and scholarships, as well as seminars: http://www.theihs.org/internship-programs.
The Institute for Justice (IJ) is a public interest legal organization dedicated to defending civil liberties, economic freedom, and free speech against encroachment by the government. IJ offers a number of clerkships and internships for both undergraduate and law students, as well as hosting a law student conference each summer. More information can be found at http://www.ij.org/students/index.html.
Law school students and graduates interested in tax law can apply for IRS summer clerkships or for employment through the Honors Program. More information can be found at http://www.jobs.irs.gov/mn-attorney.html
Internships-USA offers listings of thousands of internships for undergraduate and law students. Although it is a subscription service, it is advertised as having been subscribed to by over 40 law schools, so be sure to check with your career services office.
Kinship Conservation Institute (KCI) is a month-long seminar devoted to the application of free market approaches to solve environmental problems. More information can be found at the KCI website, http://www.kinshipconservationinstitute.org.
The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Konrad Adenauer Foundation) offers support to foreigners who wish to study in Germany either to complete their university education, obtain a doctorate, or deepen their subject expertise. Knowledge of German is required. More information can be found on their website ( www.kas.de) or by contacting the US office of the KAS at:
Konrad Adenauer Foundation
2005 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 202-986-9460
Fax: 202-986-9458
Leadership Institute (LI) interns have the opportunity to work with LI and develop themselves philosophically and professionally. Interns have many opportunities to meet with conservative leaders and attend LI’s many training schools. More information can be found at http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/aboutus/Intern.cfm.
The Ludwig von Mises Institute offers a number of fellowships for undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors who are interested in the study of Austrian economics and classical liberalism. The Institute also hosts numerous conferences throughout the year. More information can be found at: http://mises.org/page/1482/Student-Scholarship-application.
The Manhattan Institute, which pursues “greater economic choice and individual responsibility,” offers internships to conservative students, who will be exposed to the Institute’s current work, as well as working with scholars on specific projects. More information can be found at http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/internships.htm.
The National Center for Policy Analysis, a Dallas-based public policy research institute, seeks applicants for its public policy internship program. Internships are available during the fall, summer and spring for undergraduate and graduate students; though post-graduates are also encouraged to apply. Internship positions are located in NCPA’s Dallas headquarters. You can visit their website for more information:
The National Center for Public Policy is a conservative communications and research foundation whose goal is to provide free market solutions to public policy questions. For more information regarding internships, please go to http://www.nationalcenter.org/Internships.html.
The National Defense Council Foundation (NDCF) is a nonprofit organization specializing in American defense and foreign policy, particularly low-intensity conflict, the drug war, and energy problems. Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students. More information can be found at http://ndcf.dyndns.org/ndcf/Interns/Intern.html.
The National Legal Center for the Public Interest offers internships to students of government and law who are interested in public policy. More information can be found at http://www.nlcpi.org/intern.htm or by contacting the Center at:
The National Right to Life internship program provides college students from around the country to opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the pro-life movement at the national level. Every summer 10 interns are selected to serve in one of NRLC’s 14 departments. For more information visit their website, or contact:
Derrick Jones, Administrative Assistant
National Right to Life Committee
512 10th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Phone: (202) 378-8853
Fax: (202) 347-6121
The Pacific Justice Institute specializes in the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and civil liberties, and offers internships to law school students and recent graduates. More information can be found at http://www.pacificjustice.org/forms/internships.
The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) offers law clerkships to law students interested in working to support private property rights, limited government, and the free enterprise system. More information can be found at http://www.pacificlegal.org/page.aspx?pid=329.
PERC offers a weeklong seminar in the summer, at which students focus on market approaches to natural resources and environmental issues. PERC also offers a fellowship to graduate and law students with an interest in natural resources and the environment. More information can be found at http://www.perc.org/enviroprog/students/fme/basics.php.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) offers a Law Student Observer Program for interested law students who wish to gain experience learning about the workings of the SEC and securities regulation. The SEC also offers a Summer Honors Program for law students interested in learning about the SEC’s work. More information can be found at http://www.sec.gov/jobs/jobs_students.shtml
The Foundation’s mission is to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise in Texas and the nation by educating and affecting policymakers and the Texas public policy debate with academically sound research and outreach. For information about internships with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, go to: http://www.texaspolicy.com/employment.php.
USAJobs is a searchable job bank run by the federal government’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
The Washington Internship Institute offers Capital Experience and Embassy and diplomatic Scholars internship programs. The Capital Experience offers students the opportunity to intern in Washington, CD in many different organizations. The Embassy and diplomatic Scholars Programs allows students to intern in various foreign embassies, international NGO’s, the State Department, and other international organizations the Washington, DC area. More information can be found at http://www.wiidc.org/d/index.php?q=internships.
The Washington Legal Foundation (WFL) offers internships to students interested in the free market and limited government through its Youth Education Program and Legal Academic Fellowship Program. More information can be found at http://www.wlf.org/org/employment.asp
Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) is the nation’s oldest conservative youth organization, founded in 1960. Internships are awarded preferentially to undergraduates or recent graduates, who will coordinate with staff members to meet YAF chapter goals, handle correspondence with conservative activists around the country, develop media packets, as well as various office work. More information can be found at http://www.yaf.org/Internships.aspx
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE LOCALLY
I. U.S. Government Internships:
A. U.S. Senate--
1. Kay Bailey Hutchison, (R, TX)
Serving an internship in Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s office provides college students with an overview of the United States’ Congress. It enables them to work closely with Senate staff who are involved with all levels of the legislative process and responsible for constituent services. These internships are strictly voluntary in nature and are divided into spring and two summer sessions. Internships are available in the Senator’s D.C. office as well as her five district offices located in Abilene, Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
Interested undergraduate students must be Texas residents. For additional information, and an application form, go to http://www.hutchison.senate.gov/?p=internships. Deadlines for the spring session are December 5 th, and for the summer session, March 31 st.
2. John Cornyn, (R, TX)
Students enrolled in an undergraduate program may apply for an unpaid internship in Senator Cornyn’s D.C. office as well as in his seven district offices located in Austin, Dallas, Harlingen, Houston, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Tyler. Washington D.C. interns are expected to work 40 hours per week during the summer sessions, and thirty during spring and fall. State office hours are scheduled according to academic availability.
Spring Session: Jan. 9 to May 11
Deadline: November 10
Summer Session I: May 14 to June 22
Deadline: March 9
Summer Session II: June 25 to August 3
Deadline: March 9
Fall Session: Aug. 27 to Dec. 14
Deadline: June 25
B. U.S. House of Representatives--
District: Representative: Party: Hometown:
3 Sam Johnson R Richardson
5 Jeb Hensarling R Dallas
12 Kay Granger R Fort Worth
24 Kenny Marchant R Coppell
26 Michael C. Burgess R Lewisville, Forth Worth
32 Pete Sessions R Dallas
1. Office of Sam Johnson:
Interns in the Washington, D.C. office will have an opportunity to learn about the legislative process and the federal government by working closely with the legislative, communications and constituent services staff members.
School year internships are unpaid (summer interns do receive a stipend) and candidates who are chosen for the Washington office may be responsible for paying their travel and living expenses. However, interns in any office can arrange to receive academic credit for their work.
Internships for the local office are only available during the summer, and are unpaid.
2. Office of Jeb Hensarling
Internship opportunities are available year round in our Washington, D.C. office and our district in Dallas and Athens. All internships are based on merit. The intern applicant should have a direct Texas connection by either being a resident of Texas or attending a university in Texas. The applicant should have an interest in the political and legislative process and possess strong writing, analytical and communication skills. Deadlines for applications:
November 1 for Spring Internships
April 1 for Summer Internships
June 1 for Fall Internships
3. Office of Kay Granger
The number of full and part-time internships in each office is governed by space and availability, financial limitations, and office needs. Both offices offer internships during the fall, spring and summer. Please fax information from the application and your resume to the office where you are interested in working.
4. Office of Michael C. Burgess
5. Office of Pete Sessions
II. State Government Internships:
A. Texas State Senate--
1. The Honorable Florence Shapiro (R)
District 8, parts of Collin and Dallas
District Address: 5000 Legacy Dr,. Ste. 494
Plano, TX 75024
Phone: 972.403.3404
Fax: 972.403.3405
2. The Honorable Chris Harris (R)
District 9, parts of Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant
District Address:
2001 E. Lamar Blvd., Ste.150
Arlington, Texas 76006
(817) 461-9109
1-866-724-0109 (toll free)
(817) 469-9652 (fax)
3. The Honorable Wendy Davis (D)
District 10, parts of Tarrant
District Address
2421 W. 7th, Building A, Suite 350
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
(817) 332-3338
Fax: (817) 332-1230
4. The Honorable Jane Nelson (R)
District 12, parts of Denton and Tarrant
1235 S. Main Street, Suite 280
Grapevine, Texas 76051
(817) 424-3446
fax: (817) 488-6648
5. The Honorable John J. Carona (R)
District 16, parts of Dallas
8080 N. Central Expy.
Suite 1440, LB 44
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 378-5751
FAX: (214) 378-5739
6. The Honorable Royce West (D)
District 23, parts of Dallas
District Address
5787 S. Hampton Rd., Suite 385
Dallas, Texas 75232
(214) 467-0123 (tel)
(214) 467-0050 (fax)
B. Texas State House of Representatives--
Name: Party Hometown District County
|
Tan Parker
|
R
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Flower Mound
|
63
|
Denton
|
|
Myra Crownover
|
R
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Lake Dallas
|
64
|
Denton
|
|
Burt R. Solomons
|
R
|
Carrollton
|
65
|
Denton
|
|
Lon Burnam
|
D
|
Fort Worth
|
90
|
Tarrant
|
|
Kelly Hancock
|
R
|
Fort Worth
|
91
|
Tarrant
|
|
Todd Smith
|
R
|
Bedford
|
92
|
Tarrant
|
|
Barbara Nash
|
R
|
Arlington
|
93
|
Tarrant
|
|
Diane Patrick
|
R
|
Arlington
|
94
|
Tarrant
|
|
Marc Veasey
|
D
|
Fort Worth
|
95
|
Tarrant
|
|
Bill Zedler
|
R
|
Arlington
|
96
|
Tarrant
|
|
Mark Shelton
|
R
|
Fort Worth
|
97
|
Tarrant
|
|
Vicki Truitt
|
R
|
Southlake
|
98
|
Tarrant
|
|
Charlie Geren
|
R
|
River Oaks
|
99
|
Tarrant
|
|
Eric Johnson
|
D
|
Dallas
|
100
|
Dallas
|
|
Cindy Burkett
|
R
|
Mesquite
|
101
|
Dallas
|
|
Stefani Carter
|
R
|
Dallas
|
102
|
Dallas
|
|
Rafael Anchia
|
D
|
Dallas
|
103
|
Dallas
|
|
Roberto R. Alonzo
|
D
|
Dallas
|
104
|
Dallas
|
|
Linda Harper-Brown
|
R
|
Irving
|
105
|
Dallas
|
|
Rodney E. Anderson
|
R
|
Grand Prairie
|
106
|
Dallas
|
|
Kenneth Sheets
|
R
|
Dallas
|
107
|
Dallas
|
|
Dan Branch
|
R
|
Dallas
|
108
|
Dallas
|
|
Helen Giddings
|
D
|
De Soto
|
109
|
Dallas
|
|
Barbara Mallory Caraway
|
D
|
Dallas
|
110
|
Dallas
|
|
Yvonne Davis
|
D
|
Dallas
|
111
|
Dallas
|
|
Angie Chen Button
|
R
|
Richardson
|
112
|
Dallas
|
|
Joe Driver
|
R
|
Garland
|
113
|
Dallas
|
|
Will Hartnett
|
R
|
Dallas
|
114
|
Dallas
|
|
Jim Jackson
|
R
|
Carrollton
|
115
|
Dallas
|
III. Local Government Internships:
A. City of Dallas Mayor’s Internship Program--
The Dallas Mayor’s Office is seeking motivated, mature students with good judgment skills, spirit, imagination, energy and a commitment to excellence. The internship will help; build the foundation for careers as elected officials, political science researchers, public administrators, journalists and other related fields. This is a relatively new, highly competitive program that receives dozens of applicants for a limited number of internships. For more information, and for an application, go to http://www.dallascityhall.com/government/mayor/mayor_internships.html.
IV. DFW-based Public Interest Groups:
The National Center for Policy Analysis, a Dallas-based public policy research institute, seeks applicants for its public policy internship program. Internships are available during the fall, summer and spring for undergraduate and graduate students; though post-graduates are also encouraged to apply. Internship positions are located in NCPA’s Dallas headquarters. If you have questions or need additional information, please visit their website for more information:
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