Internships
An internship is one of the most important investments you can make in your future. In today’s competitive workforce, you need to graduate with experience and we can help. Our program guarantees an internship. Our dedicated staff works with you to secure an internship that fits your interests, skills and career goals.
“The staff did an excellent job of finding me in an internship that fit my interests and goals. The program also provided me with other opportunities that I would not have had if I had been in D.C. on my own.”
Caleb Ashley, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Citizens Against Government Waste Intern
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
Each internship experience in the Public Policy + Economics track is unique, and your duties will likely vary day-to-day. There will be some typical intern duties, but you’ll also be assigned substantive work that will help you in your future career. You may cover hearings on Capitol Hill, work on public policy research papers, attend meetings and research critical government initiatives.
Picture yourself working on one of these exciting projects:
- Giving a tour to visitors on Capitol Hill.
- Attending a Congressional briefing and writing a detailed report.
- Attending meetings with a think tank policy expert.
- Researching data for a report on immigration reform initiatives.
- Planning and developing a social media campaign for human trafficking awareness.
- Attending a strategy meeting with coalition groups advocating for new comprehensive energy policies.
- Researching housing and health policy for an annual report.
- Helping draft and plan content for the launch of a new website.
- Preparing civic education tool kits for social studies teachers.
- Contacting Congressional offices to set up a briefing on the charitable assistance program.
- Assisting with budget forecasting and creating information portals to organize vital data.
Where Will I Intern?
Internship positions exist within various fields and institutions, including Congressional offices, think tanks, federal agencies, policy shops and non-governmental organizations. Here is a sample of our past internships:
- 1st Amendment Partnership
- 60 Plus Association
- Advanced Energy Economy
- Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure
- America First Policy Institute
- America’s Future Foundation
- America’s Service Commissions
- American Action Forum
- American Council of Trustees and Alumni
- American Enterprise Institute
- American Financial Services Association Education Foundation
- American Legislative Exchange Council
- Americans for Tax Reform
- Americans United for Life
- Asian Pacific American Advocates National Center
- Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
- Atlantic Council
- Ballotpedia
- Bar Admissions Challenge Project
- Campaign Financial Services
- Capital Caring Health
- Capital Research Center
- Cato Institute
- Center for Christian Civics
- Center for Education Reform
- Central Union Mission
- Character.org
- Citizens Against Government Waste
- Club for Growth
- Competitive Enterprise Institute
- Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute
- Congressional Offices on Capitol Hill
- Consumer Choice Center
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Corazon Latino
- DDC Public Affairs
- Democracy Initiative
- Economic Innovation Group
- Energy Innovation Reform Project
- FreedomWorks
- Georgetown Law Center
- Health & Medicine Counsel of Washington
- Higher Learning Advocates
- Institute for Free Speech
- Institute for Sustainable Development
- Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee
- Knowledge Ecology International
- Law & Economics Center, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
- Leaders Institute
- League of United Latin American Citizens
- League of United Latin American Citizens
- Mercatus Center at George Mason University
- Mil Mujeres Legal Services
- NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
- National Campus Leadership Council
- National Down Syndrome Society
- National Foundation for Credit Counseling
- National Foundation for Women Legislators
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
- Navajo Nation Washington Office
- Niskanen Center
- No Labels
- North American Association for Environmental Education
- OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates
- Office of the General Counsel, USPS, Office of Inspector General
- Open Gov Hub
- Parents Defending Education
- PKH Enterprises
- Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland
- Public Affairs Council
- Public Alliance
- Public Spend Forum
- Republican Governors Association
- Republican Main Street Partnership
- Small Business Association
- So Others Might Eat
- Speech First
- Students for Liberty
- The Brookings Institution
- The Federalist Society
- The Hertog Foundation
- The Institute on Religion and Democracy
- The National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens
- The Politics Company
- U.S. Copyright Office
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Services, Justice, Transportation
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
“My time at the USDA has been an incredible learning experience. I had no prior experience with either agriculture or housing before coming here, so I was able to not only gain firsthand knowledge of the functions of the American government but also discover the true value of many aspects of agencies that I did not previously know existed. The USDA serves a key role in the federal government’s response to the opioid crisis. Having the opportunity to work on that issue has been extremely meaningful, both in knowing that I contributed in some small way to alleviate a massive public health threat and in gaining valuable experience that I can use to formulate my perspectives as I move into adulthood.”
Peter Simmons, University of Tulsa
U.S. Department of Agriculture Intern
Internship Hiring Process
Why TFAS?
- We have strong relationships with hundreds of D.C. organizations. In the last 50+ years, we’ve placed more than 8,000 interns with thousands of organizations in the Washington Metropolitan area. Our vast network of connections ensures your resume ends up on the top of the hiring manager’s pile.
- From the time you enroll in our program, dedicated staff will guide you through the internship hiring process. You’ll be assigned your own internship coordinator, who will work with you to secure an internship that matches your interests.
- We guarantee an internship. Competition is stiff in Washington. More than 40,000 students flock to the nation’s capital each summer to intern. D.C. is home to thousands of organizations in various fields, including Congress, federal agencies, think tanks, Fortune 500 Companies, government affairs firms, embassies, nonprofits and international non-governmental organizations.
The First Steps Toward Your Internship
Tell us about yourself
Once you enroll in our Program, you’ll complete the Internship Questionnaire. This is the first step in getting to know you, it outlines your skills and experience, the issue areas of interest to you and your preferred organization types.
Develop a game plan
Next, we chat during a video call to better understand what you are looking to gain from your internship experience. We will discuss specific sites and outline a strategy for securing the best options for you.
Tailored internship resources
Our team will review your resume and provide personalized feedback to ensure you are a competitive candidate in the Washington market. Additionally, we will make sure you are ready to ace the interview. We will provide you with practice questions, interview tips and resources on researching organizations.
By your side the whole way
Once the Program starts, we will prepare you for your first day and be there for you throughout the summer to ensure you have the best experience possible.
94% of students said that the Program helped them to develop professional skills for the workplace.
During the Internship Hiring Process
Communication is key
Our team will stay in contact with you, providing updates and guidance until you are hired for an internship. If you are not selected for a position after an interview or if you truly feel the internship would not be a strong fit, the process will continue until an internship is confirmed.
Timelines
Applying for the Program early always ensures that more opportunities are available but does not necessarily guarantee an early offer, as the hiring process can last up to three months. Good things take time!
Internship sites are all accessible by public transportation, making your commute to your internship and class a breeze.
“A highlight from my internship was being able to watch congressional hearings and listen to the committee meetings. It was wonderful to see how government works up close.”
Elizabeth Rencher, Colorado State University
National Council of State Housing Agencies Intern
The Benefits of Internships for Real-World Experience and Professional Growth
Grow your network
In Washington, who you know is just as important as what you know. Internships allow you to meet professionals in your field and other interns who share common interests. Knowing people in the right positions can make all the difference when it comes time to find your first job or get letters of recommendation.
Gain real-world experience
Step away from the sideline and prepare to learn by doing. Having experience in a particular field or industry can give you a competitive edge after graduation; even entry-level jobs prefer experience. Internships also strengthen confidence in your work and show you what it’s like to work in that field.
Cultivate professionalism
You’ll gain insight into what it’s like being a Washington working professional and hone in on soft skills like communication, leadership and time management. Additionally, you’ll learn about company culture, structure and employee relations, which will all help inform your future employment decisions down the road.
“The Program staff was very responsive to my interests and needs. They worked to find me in an internship where my interests were matched.”
Ryan Ramseyer, United States Air Force Academy
Center for Strategic and International Studies Intern
94% of students said the Program helped them to develop professional skills for the workplace.