Live. Learn. Intern. in Washington, DC

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 placement. Dedicated staff works to match you with an internship that fits your interests, skills and career goals.

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.
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 that 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.
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 staff did an excellent job placing 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
Intern, Citizens Against Government Waste

Remote Internships

Recently, professionals all around the U.S. and globally transitioned to remote work and learning because of the pandemic.

Many organizations that host TFAS interns made this shift and have been eager to keep providing meaningful professional experiences to interns working remotely from around the U.S. and in Washington, D.C. In addition to normal internship duties, students are able to gain collaboration and communication skills that will be important as telework becomes more prevalent.

For summer 2023, TFAS anticipates that many organizations will continue to provide hybrid or virtual internships for students as they adjust to changing modes of operating in today’s more flexible and dynamic work environment. While TFAS will strive to place students in internships that meet their preferred work arrangement, students should be aware that not all internships will provide in-person work opportunities and are encouraged to focus on the substance of the work rather than the mode in which it is conducted.

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.