Most Senate offices host full/part-time interns and law clerks during the spring, summer, and fall academic semesters. Fellowships are generally full-time and may last up to one year.
Note: On this page, we will use the term “intern” or “internship” loosely when referring to general internship, fellowship, or clerkship opportunities offered by Senate offices.
Internships are designed for students or recent graduates of an undergraduate degree program. Washington, DC internships will typically have an administrative, legislative, or press focus, while State/Regional office interns may assist with providing constituent services and casework assistance. Some offices rotate interns throughout the office, allowing them to be exposed to the various departments. Washington, DC internship responsibilities may include: providing administrative assistance to staff, answering phones, processing mail, leading Capitol tours, assisting with research, attending briefings, writing memos, taking photos, compiling press clips, and designing graphics.
Fellowships and clerkships are usually geared toward current or recent graduates of a professional or law degree program. Fellows/law clerks typically work with staff on the policy team to draft legislation and amendments, conduct legislative research, write policy memos, assist with hearing preparation, and contribute to other substantive projects. Some offices also offer communications fellowships.
While some Senate offices offer temporary fellowships, other opportunities are sponsored by outside professional/trade organizations. Click here to view a list of outside programs that have placed fellows with congressional offices.
No. You may apply to intern for any Senate office that is of interest to you. However, it is highly recommended that you apply to offices where you have a strong state tie connection, through residence, studies, military station, etc.
Senate staff and interns often serve as the first point of interaction between constituents and the senator’s office. That is why many Senate offices prefer to hire interns or entry-level staff from their state. Applicants with strong ties to the Member’s state are likely to have shared lived experiences or greater awareness of issues impacting the senator’s constituents at home.
Due to the political nature of the Senate, hiring managers often look for applicants who exemplify the political and ideological interests of their Member. While one’s political preference or background is less important when applying for internships, applicants are encouraged to consider their personal preferences as well as a Member’s policy priorities to find offices where their interests best align. Please keep this in mind: If you intern for a Member of one political party today, it could be difficult to switch to the other in the future when seeking full-time employment.
Although a limited number of nonpartisan opportunities may be available in committee offices, most committee staff/internship positions will be under the direction of the Chair, Ranking Member, or other sitting member of the committee
Applicants should submit their application package to the Senate Member or committee office according to the instructions in the vacancy announcement or on the Senate office’s website. The application package typically involves an application or form where applicants can indicate their availability and add attachments, including a resume, statement of interest, and writing sample(s). Some offices may also request a list of references or transcripts. Requests for accommodations should be directed to the Senate office’s Internship Coordinator.
Once the application deadline has closed, staff will review applications and will contact applicants that they are interested in interviewing. Once one to two rounds of interviews are complete, offices will notify selected candidates. The timeline for consideration will depend on the hiring office. Unfortunately, not all candidates will be contacted due to the high volume of applications received.
Please be aware that the Employment Office is not updated on the status of an application once it is sent to a hiring office.
Yes. Many universities offer “Semester in Washington” programs or partner with other institutions to allow undergraduate students to continue their studies while interning in Washington, DC. These programs are similar to studying abroad.
Additionally, every senator has one or more state or regional office locations where staff conduct outreach and provide direct assistance to constituents. Although the responsibilities of a State office intern may differ from those in Washington, DC, State office interns will gain insight into the important constituent services that all Senate offices provide.
In addition to answering constituent phone calls and processing incoming mail, State office interns may have the unique opportunity to assist with constituent casework and outreach to Federal agencies, local leaders, and community groups. State office interns may also be tasked with drafting congratulatory letters and other correspondence on the senator’s behalf. Many of the skills and experiences developed in the State office are transferrable to the work that is conducted in Washington, DC.
You may also consider applying to intern in the senator’s Washington, DC office during the summer to compare your experiences. This can provide perspective in your future job or internship search and can even help to set you apart from other candidates in the future.
Depending on the program, Senate offices offer part-time or full-time internships. Requirements will typically be included in the vacancy announcement or on the Senate office’s website. Additionally, you should be prepared to indicate your availability in your application.
No. Students in these areas of study may be more inclined to seek a congressional internship, however, there is no requirement that interns declare these majors. Students majoring in Communications, English, Journalism, or Marketing may be interested in communications internships, while individuals studying arts and sciences, engineering, health, technology, etc. may be able to apply their studies to the policy/legislative work conducted by senators and their staff.
Senate offices have the option to pay their interns. You may reach out to the office’s Intern Coordinator for more information.
It may be possible to receive academic credit for your internship. You should check with your academic institution and the Senate office’s Intern Coordinator to verify.
No. Interns must arrange for their own housing. There are a number of short-term housing options available near Capitol Hill and throughout Washington, DC. Additionally, many local universities offer summer intern housing in their dormitories. Information about pricing and additional options can be found online.
Responsibilities of interns will likely be similar across both chambers. However, several considerations should be made in determining where to apply. While Senate offices may be able to accommodate a larger intern class, due to Senate offices being larger in terms of physical space and overall number of desks, be aware that there are fewer Member offices in the Senate than in the House.
Do your research on the Member or committee to determine if a particular office would be a good fit for you, and network with past interns and staff to learn about an office’s culture and gain insight from their experiences. This preparation will help you to make an informed decision on which environment may be a better fit for your career interests and goals, and may even help in the application and interview process.
Senate interns have the opportunity to witness history in the making. Before your internship, think about what skill(s) you want to develop or experience while you are at the Senate. During your internship, seek opportunities to achieve these goals. You can ask your Intern Coordinator if you would be able to attend a variety of on- and off-Hill events. These may include committee hearings, briefings, receptions, lectures, seminars, and other formal and informal educational and networking opportunities.
The Employment Office created a Senate Intern Bingo card to help you explore and learn more about the Senate. Before attending any of these activities, make sure that you have completed your baseline responsibilities in the office, and be sure to get your Intern Coordinator’s approval.
Throughout your internship, schedule networking coffees with staff, and continue to cultivate these professional relationships even after your internship has ended. These contacts may be willing to provide insight into their own careers, and you never know when your paths may cross again in the future.
Update your resume with your new Senate experience. Look at our Resume and Cover Letter Guide or attend the Employment Office’s Resume Workshop for tips on how you can showcase your Senate experience. Think about what skills or experience you’ve developed, that may be transferrable to other jobs or internships. If you have written briefing memos, research memos, or letters during your internship, ask your Intern Coordinator whether you may keep these written products to use as writing samples.
Once your internship has concluded, thank the office staff/Intern Coordinator and remain in contact. The office/Intern Coordinator may serve as a great professional reference as you apply to future jobs or internships.
