Want a summer Congressional internship?... Apply now
The 115th Congress opened Jan. 3. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Speaker Paul Ryan from Wisconsin administered the oath of office to 52 new members. One of them was Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware. Despite their obvious differences, Ryan, a Republican and Rochester, a Democrat share a commonality: both served as Congressional interns while in college.
The highly competitive unpaid positions can give young professionals an edge, especially those who want a career in politics or public service. Congressional interns learn hands-on about the legislative process and various other functions of a Congressional office and how things work on Capitol Hill. The benefits of such educational and professional development can include academic course credits; networking; practical experience to build a resume; gaining a job reference; the opportunity to hone such skills as prioritizing, time management, multitasking and communicating professionally; and the possibility of a future paid job offer.
The duties of Congressional interns, whether they’re working in a U.S. representative’s local or Washington, D.C. office include answering phones; sorting mail; attending hearings, meetings and policy briefings; researching for legislative aides; and responding to constituent inquiries. Congressional internships for college students run through the spring, summer and fall semesters.
Summer positions are the most popular and most competitive, according to the U.S. House of Representatives Website (www.house.gov).
U.S. Representatives from Kansas and Missouri, as well as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) are now taking applications for summer internships. The deadline for summer applications for Congressman Kevin Yoder who represents Kansas’ 3rd District is March 4.
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver from Missouri’s 5th District is taking applications and scheduling interviews now. Once the positions are filled, his office will close the summer application process. A Cleaver staffer told 2Mas2KC that the congressman “would like to have more applicants.” The CHCI’s deadline for summer is January 20.
College students from Yoder’s Kansas district can apply online on the congressman’s Website at www.yoder.house.gov. On the roll-down menu under “Services,” click on “Congressional Internship Application,” which provides additional information.
College students from Cleaver’s Missouri district can apply online at www.cleaver.house.gov. On the roll-down menu under “Serving You,” click on “Internships,” which also provides additional information.
Hispanic college students can apply for a CHCI summer internship online at www.chci.org. On the roll-down menu under “Programs,” select “Internships,” which also provides additional information. CHCI usually places interns with a member of Congress who serves the district in the student’s home state.
For Hispanic college students, there are advantages to the CHCI Congressional internship program. Unlike federal internships, CHCI covers round-trip transportation to Washington, D.C. and housing expenses and pays a stipend.
CHCI also provides leadership training as well as ongoing leadership development sessions, participation in community service projects and a weeklong orientation. And college students who are undocumented but protected under DACA (the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program) are eligible providing they possess an Employment Authorization Document.
CHCI has been offering paid internships for Hispanic college students for 38 years. Former deputy chief of staff to the U.S. Commerce Secretary, special assistant to the president and White House deputy director of Public Engagement, Stephanie Valencia is among CHCI Congressional intern alumni.
