Internships

The NextGen Civic Lead Corps program at UW Tacoma has curated a variety of exciting internships that align with the NextGen program learning objectives. NextGen students are encouraged to search for internship opportunities where they can pursue their passion for public service, civic engagement, and career interests.

In addition to this, there are several avenues for discovering unique and relevant internship opportunities. A range of resources for finding and preparing for internships are available in the UW Tacoma Career Development & Education Office, including access to Handshake, a job search platform made specifically for university students and recent alumni where hundreds of thousands of employers are looking for students like you.

Additionally, internships can be found through websites like USA Jobs (federal internships), Careers.WA.gov (Washington State internships), Pierce County, LinkedIn, and Idealist. You can also visit the websites of organizations you are interested in or reach out to them directly. NextGen students at UW Tacoma should also check their NextGen Canvas course for additional information.

In planning your internship, work closely with the internship advisor for your major or minor. Before finalizing your internship agreement, contact IIGE Program Coordinator Liz Hunt to discuss how your plan will also meet NextGen Badge requirements.

South Puget Sound Internships

Washington State Legislative Internship Program

Each January, beginning in 1955, the Washington State Legislature welcomes around 70 passionate, inquisitive, and hardworking students to serve as non-partisan, full-time legislative staff in Olympia. In addition to earning academic credit, interns work as part of a team, helping solve real-world problems for Washington's citizens. These interactions provide unique insights into the events and legislation that impact our state every day.

The Legislative Internship Program offers unparalleled access to Washington's most influential leaders and policymakers, professional development to build transferrable skills, and hands-on simulations to learn all aspects of the legislative process. This experience will encourage you to learn quickly, think critically, and develop professionally as you forge lifelong connections in public policy.

Political experience is not necessary, and students of all majors are encouraged to apply. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and political ideologies who are active leaders, engaged in campus communities, and excited to learn about government while gaining practical job skills. Whether your interest is in law, business, communications, environmental policy, public health, or other areas, there is a place for you in Olympia. Interns are matched with legislators in the House of Representatives or the Senate based on interest areas and political ideology. There are also opportunities for interns to serve as caucus staff, focusing on policy or communications.

Applications are generally accepted annually from September 1 through mid or late October. Selected interns will serve from January through April. Students must be enrolled juniors or seniors, in good academic standing, and receiving academic credit for the internship. Interns earn stipends.

Please visit the Washington State Legislative Internship page for details.

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland Internships

Legislative Internship

Legislative Interns assist the legislative staff by preparing briefing notes and memos, researching legislation, tracking legislative activity, providing mail program support, answering phones, inputting casework inquiries, attending hearings, and advancing the Congresswoman’s legislative agenda.

Ideal candidates for this internship are diligent, detail-oriented, and can excel in a fast-paced environment. Applicants should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, an ability to manage multiple short-term and stretch assignments, and a good sense of humor. Ties to Washington State are preferred but not required. Applicants are encouraged to include any previous customer service experience (retail, food service, hospitality, etc.) on their resumes.

Communication Internship

Communications Interns assist the communications staff by compiling media clips, drafting social media posts and press releases, creating digital content, answering phones, inputting casework inquiries, and aiding the Congresswoman’s communications efforts.

Experience working in communications is a plus. Ideal candidates for this internship are diligent, detail-oriented, and can excel in a fast-paced environment. Applicants should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, an eye for and ability to create engaging digital content, and a good sense of humor.

District Internship

Interns will be asked to answer phones, assist the constituent services team, attend virtual events, research projects, and aid our press team, Congresswoman, and district staff. As a result, interns learn about constituent services, community engagement, and the many other functions of a congressional office.

Please visit Congresswoman Strickland’s internship page for details.

Congresswoman Emily Randall Internships

Internships are available in Representative Randall’s Bremerton and Washington D.C. offices. Interns assist with answering phones, researching legislation, attending hearings and briefings, and drafting constituent letters on various issues before the House.

In the Washington, D.C. office, internships run on a semester basis, with a fall, spring, and summer cohort. The hours are flexible to accommodate college students' hectic course schedules, and all interns receive a monthly stipend.

Please contact Representative Randall’s office for details.

Pierce County Summer Internship Program

A career with Pierce County is an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives every day. Past internships have been in Policy Research & Legal, Communications & Videography, Environmental Education, Parks & Trails Planning, and other fields.

Internships are posted each February, and interviews happen in February and March. Selected interns will serve June through August.

Please visit Pierce County Internship page for details.

Washington State DSHS Summer Internship Program

DSHS’s Office of the Secretary (OOS) Internship Program is open to all qualified college students to learn, grow, and start a meaningful, rewarding career. This summer Internship Program is designed for you to apply your classroom knowledge to a professional, on-the-job learning experience.

Please visit the Washington State DSHS Summer Internship Program page for details.

Tacoma Rescue Mission

The Tacoma Rescue Mission provides emergency services such as shelter and food to the homeless or hurting, offers self-sufficiency programs to help lift a person from poverty and break the chains of addiction, and supports prevention programs.

This is a faith-based organization, and they view interns as a vital part of their Mission.

Please contact the Tacoma Rescue Mission for more details.

Washington State Internships

Senator Patty Murray Internships

Senator Murray is seeking paid legislative and communications interns in their Washington, D.C. office, and constituent service interns in their Seattle office. This is a great opportunity for students to see the legislative process up-close, learn more about the federal government, and build strong ties to their communities.

Interning in either Washington state or Washington, D.C. provides a unique opportunity to join a hardworking team that’s dedicated to serving the people of Washington state.

Please visit Senator Murray’s internship page for details.

Washington State DSHS Summer Internship Program

DSHS’s Office of the Secretary (OOS) Internship Program is open to all qualified college students to learn, grow, and start a meaningful, rewarding career. The summer Internship Program is designed for you to apply your classroom knowledge to a professional, on-the-job learning experience.

Seeing the business side firsthand, you will explore career interests and develop and build a professional network of resources across DSHS business units. You will enjoy collaborating with a knowledgeable and professional team while working on exciting projects that encourage innovation in a fast-paced environment.

Please visit the Washington State DSHS Summer Internship Program page for details.

National Internships

Senator Patty Murray Internships

Senator Murray is seeking paid legislative and communications interns in their Washington, D.C. office,  and constituent service interns in their Seattle office. This is a great opportunity for students to see the  legislative process up-close, learn more about the federal government, and build strong ties to their communities.

Please visit Senator Murray’s internship page for details.

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland Internships

Legislative Internship

Legislative Interns assist the legislative staff by preparing briefing notes, researching legislation,  tracking legislative activity, answering phones, and supporting the Congresswoman’s legislative agenda.

Communication Internship

Communications Interns compile media clips, draft social media posts, create digital content,  and support the Congresswoman’s communications efforts.

District Internship

District Interns assist the constituent services team, attend virtual events, research projects,  and aid district staff.

Please visit Congresswoman Strickland’s internship page for details.

Congresswoman Emily Randall Internships

Internships are available in Representative Randall’s Bremerton and Washington D.C. offices.  Interns assist with answering phones, researching legislation, attending hearings and briefings,  and drafting constituent letters. Internships run on a semester basis, with a fall, spring, and summer cohort.

Please visit Representative Randall’s internship page for details.

Congressional App Challenge Internships

Internships available:

Please visit the Congressional App Challenge page for more details.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) Summer Internship

FIRE offers a ten-week, paid summer internship to educate students about their rights at colleges and universities.  Interns work in FIRE’s Philadelphia office from June through August with a stipend of $5,250.

Please visit FIRE’s internship page for more details.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholar

The NOAA Hollings Scholarship Program provides:

  • Up to $9,500 per year for two years of full-time study
  • A 10-week, full-time paid internship at a NOAA facility
  • Travel funds for conferences and housing subsidies

Please visit the Hollings Scholarship Program page for details.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Congressional Internship Program

CHCI offers paid internships in Washington, D.C. with benefits including:

  • Roundtrip transportation
  • Furnished housing
  • Medical insurance
  • Stipend: $5,400 for Fall, $4,776 for Summer

Please visit the CHCI program page for details.

Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program: Department of Agriculture, Tribal Agriculture and Food

The program helps young talent enter government agencies. Internship placements include:

  • Department of Commerce – Office of the Chief Information Officer (STEM)
  • Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration (Public Policy)
  • Office of the Secretary and Office of Deputy Secretary (Liberal Arts, Communications)

Please visit the Future Leaders in Public Service page for details.

Effective Institutions Project Internships

The Effective Institutions Project is a global working group that researches ways to improve decision-making  at key institutions. Interns support research, strategy, and field-building efforts.

Please visit the Effective Institutions Project’s internship page for details.

Global Internships

ASU SolarSPELL Initiative

The ASU SolarSPELL Initiative empowers learners globally by providing localized educational information and the training to build 21st-century skills in offline environments.

The SolarSPELL Initiative serves unconnected schools and communities by providing a relevant, education-focused, offline digital library — without the need for costly, long-term infrastructure improvements — and matching the technology with locally-based trainers who can support the necessary development of internet-ready skills.

The SolarSPELL (Solar Powered Educational Learning Library) digital library mimics an online experience by generating its own offline WiFi hotspot to which any WiFi-capable device can connect, so that users can freely surf the library's expansive, yet localized, content.

Internship Opportunities

Internship opportunities include:

  • Music Editor
  • Arabic Cultural Content Curator
  • Kinyarwanda Agriculture Translator
  • French Digital Library Content Curator and Metadata Specialist
  • Sustainable Agriculture Intern

 

Please visit SolarSPELL’s internship page for more details.