Given your impending graduation and the abysmal job market, there's no better time for a college graduate to enter the public sector. Columbia and other Ivy League schools are notorious for sending flocks of graduates to the private sector (i.e. Wall Street), but we are encouraging you to do the right thing. The Office of Government and Community Affairs, and Columbia students want to show you how to get your career started in Washington.

The most common type of Congressional internship are those offered by individual offices of members of Congress. These are typically offered in two different locations, Washington D.C. offices and district offices, which have their own distinct characteristics and benefits.

Washington DC Internships
Congressional interns are not typically involved in policy-making, but they benefit from assisting in the day-to-day activities of working in the capital and learning the political process.

Opportunity for involvement in one or more or the following:
- Attend committee hearings and prepare reports
- Research policy and legislation
- Draft correspondence, articles, and speeches
- Represent the office at meetings and briefings
- Lead tours of the Capitol for visiting constituents
- Answer constituent mail

District Office Internships
Unlike Washington, D.C. offices, district offices do not usually concentrate on policy-making, but provide students with valuable experience in the constituent relations and casework.
Opportunity for involvement in one or more or the following:
- Perform casework for constituents
- Record constituent sentiment on policy issues
- Answer constituent mail

Each of these types of internships are handled by the individual offices of Congress members. As such, the application process may vary significantly. Check the office websites and apply directly.

Congressional Committee Internships

A good alternative to working for individual Congress members is to apply directly to a Congressional committee. This is a useful strategy for anyone who wants to gain experience in a specialty area and play up a particular niche in the application process. With 45 committees between the two houses of Congress, there is likely a suitable committee for most majors or discipline.

Limited funds may be available to students eligible for financial assistance. In order to be eligible, applicants must be students of Columbia College, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, or the School of General Studies. Those who wish to apply for these funds or who wish to receive advice and guidance from the Office of Government and Community Affairs should register their intention to apply to a congressional office by completing the registration form found on this web site. Barnard College offers students completing unpaid internships access to the Alumnae and Donor Sponsored Internship Grant Program. More information, including deadlines and requirements, can be found at: http://www.barnard.edu/cd/

For additional information please refer to the Columbia University Government & Community Affairs website at: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gca/index.html