Internships

Internships are a vital part of political science education. The Political Science Department coordinates several internships, and invites students to explore these and other opportunities to gain real-life experience. Internships often lead to jobs. Please take a look!

The Finnegan Fellowship Internship

"The prestigious James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation summer internship program is now accepting applications. Students selected for this internship will be assigned positions in state government executive offices under the governor's jurisdiction and attend seminars with leading elected officials".

The internships are available to undergraduate students who are attending accredited Pennsylvania colleges or universities, or Pennsylvania residents attending accredited colleges/universities elsewhere who have completed at least one semester.

For more details and to apply please visit this website.

The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS)

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) sponsors a semester-long internship program for outstanding undergraduate students from the 14 PASSHE universities. These interns work with selected professionals and legislators in various state government offices. Many interns have accepted policy or research positions in state government upon graduation. Interns are appointed and serve for one regular semester (either fall or spring). This internship is credit bearing, provides a stipend and students participating in the internship are eligible for financial aid.

If you are a student that is interested, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu.

The Washington Center Internship

The Washington Center Internship provides students with tailored internships in government agencies, lobbying firms, NGO offices, and political organizations in Washington, D.C., and includes an academic course and numerous programmatic activities, and a Leadership Forum. This internship is credit bearing and students participating in the internship are eligible for financial aid.

For additional information, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu or visit: http://www.twc.edu/internships

The Fulton-Gow Internship

The James G. Fulton Fellows Program was established in 1972 as a living memorial to the late Western Pennsylvania Congressman who, over a 27-year period, trained more than 100 students in his office and taught them first-hand about the challenges and rewards of public life. The internship is a ten week program working in the Washington DC office of your legislator, and students earn up to six (6) transferable credits by participating in a seminar coordinated through Marquette University. This internship provides a tuition and living stipend of $8,550.00, and students are eligible for financial aid.

For additional information, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu.

The PA House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program

The Legislative Fellowship Program, created in 1982 by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, through the Bipartisan Management Committee (BMC), combines education, work experience and insight into the people, issues and politics of the legislative process. This 13-week program is open to college seniors and second semester juniors from all Pennsylvania colleges and universities. Weekly workshops with key thinkers, planners and decision-makers provide an in-depth look at the legislature, its history, structure and activities. Speakers include Members of the House and Senate; key legislative staff from House leadership, committees, Legislative Service Agencies, and the Governor's Office; as well as prominent lobbyists. Placement is either in a Leadership office or in the office of a Committee Chairman. Fellows are required to develop and defend an original piece of legislation on a topic of their choice. Fellows receive classroom credit (if approved by their college department chairman). A bi-weekly stipend of $750 is provided. This internship is credit bearing and students participating in the internship are eligible for financial aid.

For additional information, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu.

Internships with Congressional Representatives

The Political Science Department has arranged several internships with students' congressional representatives and senators, either in Washington, DC, or in their home offices. We can help you contact and arrange these internships, which provide students with exposure to valuable knowledge and experience of the federal government and the legislative process. Interns are exposed to legislative and policy research, as well as assisting staff with constituent services. Internships are available for the fall, spring, or summer semesters. These internships may be credit bearing and students participating in the internship are eligible for financial aid.

For additional information, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu.

Internships with State Representatives and Senators

The Political Science Department has arranged several internships with state representatives and senators, either in Harrisburg, or in their home offices. We can help you contact and arrange these internships, which provide students with experience in the state government and the legislative process. Interns are exposed to legislative and policy research, as well as assisting staff with constituent services. Internships are available for the fall, spring, or summer semesters. These internships may be credit bearing and students participating in the internship are eligible for financial aid.

For additional information, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu.

Internships in Local Government and Law

The Political Science Department has arranged numerous internships in local government offices, and in county District Attorney and Public Defenders Offices. We can help you contact and arrange these internships, which provide students with experience in local government affairs and in the legal system. These internships may be credit bearing and students participating in the internship are eligible for financial aid.

For additional information, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu or Dr. Frederick, 724 738-2419, heather.frederick@sru.edu.

Internships with Political Parties and Campaigns

The Political Science Department has arranged numerous internships for students that wish to gain experience working for political parties and on campaigns. Some of our students have gone on to make successful careers in political organizations. We can help you contact and arrange these internships, which provide students with experience in campaigning and political organization. These internships may be credit bearing and students participating in the internship are eligible for financial aid.

For additional information, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu , Dr. Frederick, 724 738-2419, heather.frederick@sru.edu , Dr. Rice at 724 738-4216, heather.rice@sru.edu.

Internships with Attorneys

Students interested in pursuing legal careers should arrange an internship in the legal field. The Political Science Department can help you make contacts and arrange these internships, which provide students with direct experience working with attorneys. These internships may be credit bearing and students participating in the internship are eligible for financial aid.

For additional information, please see Dr. Frederick, 724 738-2419, heather.frederick@sru.edu.

APSCUF Government / Public Relations Internships

APSCUF (the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties) offers each semester a paid internship in government and public relations for undergraduates attending a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education university. The APSCUF internship is a great opportunity for a student interested in government, politics, public affairs, journalism, or communications. Interns work in the APSCUF office in Harrisburg, are expected to work 35 hours each week, Monday-Friday, and are paid $10.00 per hour.

For additional information, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu or visit: http://www.apscuf.org/students

Other Internships

There are many other internship possibilities that are available and applicable to political science students. We can help you find suitable internship opportunities and can help you to arrange internship agreements that will work for you. These internships may be credit bearing and if so, students participating in the internship are eligible for financial aid.

For additional information, please see Dr. Sykora at 724 738-2431, sharon.sykora@sru.edu.

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