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Government, Public Policy, Public Service

Industry-Specific Insights

  • Figure out your interests, skills, geographical preferences, and work styles.
  • What level of government interests you the most?
    • Federal, State, Local
    • Nongovernmental / Associations / Third Party
    • Think Tanks
  •  Research Governmental Agencies
    • White House, State Department, CIA, EPA, NOAA, Homeland Security, NASA, CDC
  •  Start early: Many government internship applications are due in the fall, which gives you precious little time to pull your transcripts, personal essays, and other documents together before the due date.
  • Prepare to be vetted: For many internships that deal with national security issues, students are required to go through a thorough security clearance process. This can take up to six months. Be thorough, leave nothing out, and return the application as soon as possible.
  • Have a backup plan: Sometimes a student’s security clearance cannot be completed in the time allotted or the student may fail the security clearance outright. In either case, it is very important to have a second or third option just in case the security clearance process is delayed or falls through altogether. Have other options.
  • Reach out to alumni: Chances are that a former student has already passed through a targeted agency or is currently working in a field of interest. Use the contacts to learn about the organization, get interviewing tips, or even have them circulate your resume around the office.
  • Interested in law? Visit the pre-law website and sign up for the pre-law list-serv here.
  • View our Career Planning Guide & Internship Orientation Guide. Here is an accessible PDF: Internship Orientation Guide.

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Recommended Resources

The resources below are a combination of general industry information as well as specific job and internship posting sites for this industry.

Recommended Professional Associations

A professional association is an organization of people who have similar career interests. These membership-based organizations often offer a reduced rate for students that allow access to the many resources they provide. Professional association websites can also offer job/internship databases as well as opportunities to find mentors or other contacts.

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