15 Political Science Internships for High School Students
If you're considering a political science or related major in college, you could get a firsthand insight into the field with an internship before college begins. Such experiences give you a front-seat view of the inner workings of different government agencies and their day-to-day operations and help you understand how policies are developed and implemented.
Political science is a vast and varied subject – allowing you to examine the nature of power and government. Political science students can pursue careers in various fields: law, campaign management, NGO, business, consulting and more. An internship in politics can help you gain knowledge and experience in various areas, such as government, public policy, or elections. Completing a political internship in high school can also enhance your college applications and help you make professional connections with government officials, policymakers, and fellow interns, which can be beneficial for future career prospects and obtaining references.
Political science internships can help you hone your critical thinking skills and the ability to effectively communicate information to a group of people. If you are interested in the functioning of various government agencies and the policy-making process, then a political science internship might be your first step toward your career.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 political science internships for high school students. Let’s dive in!
Location: Washington D.C.
Eligibility: Applicants:
- Must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or must have a Social Security number.
- Must be juniors in high school who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment (for Spring or Fall session internship).
- Must be rising juniors and rising seniors who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment. Students who are 18 years old may not be appointed (for Summer internships).
- Must verify a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0/B to qualify for school attendance.
- Must provide a general health assessment completed by a licensed physician and a certification of immunization; must be covered by health insurance.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates:
January 28 - June 7, 2024 (Spring Session)
June 9 - June 21, 2024 (Summer Session I)
July 21 - August 2, 2024 (Summer Session II)
Early September, 2024 - Late January, 2025 (Fall Session)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Pages are paid on an annual salary basis of $35,360. Since pages serve for less than a year, they do not earn an entire annual salary (payments are made monthly).
The U.S. Senate Page Program follows a work-learn-mentorship model that provides you with real-world experience of the daily operation of the Senate. The Senate Page program is one of the longest-running opportunities for high school students interested in political internships. Pages are sponsored by their senators and will reside in Washington D.C. (living expenses, rent, and laundry will be covered). The responsibilities of the Pages consist primarily of delivering correspondence and legislative material within the Capitol and Senate office buildings, preparing the Chamber for Senate sessions, and working on the Senate floor where they assist roll call votes, support senators and staff during debates, and carry bills and amendments to the desk.
Pages must be sponsored by a senator. There are only 30 positions available that serve the 100 members of the United States Senate, so not all senators will be sponsoring/selecting a page. Reach out to your local senator if you are interested in applying to this and check if they are sponsoring a page.
2. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA) options available
Eligibility: High school students who are authorized to work in the US can apply.
Application Deadline: Typically in November (Spring Session) (Dates TBA) | March 1, 2024 (Summer Session) | Typically in July (Fall Session) (Dates TBA)
Program Dates:
February – May 2024 (Spring Session)
June – August 2024 (Summer Session)
September – December 2024 (Fall Session)
Stipend: Fully funded; no stipend provided.
Note: There are ten (10) paid internship stipends available for the Summer 2024 term part-time internships. Stipend awards are determined by financial need after interns are selected for their program.
If you prefer learning through work, this is a good choice for you because it is a competitive internship program for ambitious high school students interested in pursuing a career in international relations. As an intern under this program, you will be paired with a scholar or professional in the field who will work with you to develop industry-specific skills as well as sharpen general skills that come from working in a professional environment such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and time management. You will have the opportunity to attend weekly foreign policy and career-focused seminars with guest speakers. You will also gain access to all of FPRI’s in-person, virtual, and hybrid events and will have the opportunity to work on a research paper to be considered for publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner. You can apply to be a research intern, a special events/development intern, a communications intern, or an operations intern depending on the type of experience you would like to gain at FPRI. For further details on the various kinds of internships offered by FPRI, check here.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school student.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: N/A (They hire interns for an indefinite period.)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid.
Pasquines is a non-profit news organization led and run by volunteers dedicated to ensuring that the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are brought into the national conversations involving politics, policy decisions, design, and innovation. They focus on bringing local issues to the national conversation, and national issues to local consideration. They look for virtual interns throughout the year, and the hours are flexible. Interns get to hone their writing and reporting skills, they get to learn a lot about the impact of large-scale policy at the local level, and work with other minds that are passionate about politics. You can check what internships they have available here.
4. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington D.C.
Eligibility: Applicants:
- Must be U.S. citizens.
- Must be enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution and maintain student eligibility and enrollment throughout the internship.
Application Deadline: October (Spring Internship Period) | December (Summer Internship Period) | June (Fall Internship Period)
Program Dates:
Spring Internship Period (January-May)
Summer Internship Period (May-August)
Fall Internship Period (September-December)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; no stipend provided.
Internships at Treasury allow students to collect, analyze, and present policy data, as well as conduct research and summarize academic literature and news important for priority missions. This is a distinguished program to build a solid foundation for a future career in international policy. Through these internships, you get the chance to gain research and analytical skills, and management and organizational skills through interactions with Treasury colleagues and other U.S. government agencies. You can choose to work in any one of the several offices that make up the Treasury Departmental Offices (headquarters).
5. Pathway Internship Programs at the U.S. Department of State
Location: This will vary, students can opt for programs close to their location. Check available options here.
Eligibility: Applicants:
- Must have U.S. citizenship.
- Must be at least 16 years of age by the closing date of the announcement.
- Must maintain student eligibility for the duration of the internship.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of application and throughout internship appointment.
Application Deadline: Varies from location to location.
Program Dates: While the dates of the internship will vary from post to post, those under the Internship Experience Program (IEP) are expected to last the length of the academic program for which the intern is enrolled, and those under the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) will run during seasonal and holiday breaks as well as year-round.
Stipend: This varies from post to post.
These internships are opportunities to explore federal careers in various government offices while being paid for the work performed. Through them, students can gain firsthand experience in various aspects of foreign affairs, public policy, and international affairs by working as an intern at offices such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Structured Finance and Insurance, Office of the General Counsel, Environmental Protection Agency, and so on. The program offers a structured learning environment, where you will work alongside experienced professionals, engage in meaningful projects, and develop critical skills for the global stage.
There are two types of internships under this program: the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). IEP interns are eligible for non-competitive promotions and federal employee benefits. ITEP interns are appointed to temporary appointments, which will be at most one year or their projected graduation date (whichever is shorter) and extensions may be made in one-year increments.
Note: All vacancies part of this internship program are posted on USAJobs.gov. So details such as the application deadline, and internship dates will vary from role to role and will be available on each specific posting. Check the current vacancies here.
6. House of Representatives House Page Internship | Washington State
Location: Capitol Campus, Olympia
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school student (14 - 16 years old).
Application Deadline: February 9, 2024 (Applications should be submitted no later than five weeks before the end of the legislative session.)
Program Dates: One week (40 hours) between January and March. This year’s legislative session starts the week of January 8, 2024, and ends the week of March 4, 2024 (interns can select the week they are available to work).
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Pages earn a stipend of $65 per day. As a bonus, the internship credits 20 hours of community service.
The House of Representatives House Page Internship is conducted in and with the House of Representatives. Some states conduct a house page program for the House of Representatives, including Washington State. This internship program is a unique work-learn opportunity! Pages participate for one work week, assisting the House of Representatives with duties including serving on the chamber floor, making deliveries throughout campus, supporting member offices, and attending Page School. Page School supplements the hands-on learning experience with a classroom component geared toward understanding the legislative process.
7. United States Senate Youth Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Eligibility:
- Each student must be a legal permanent resident or citizen of the United States at the time of application.
- Each student must be enrolled in high school (be a qualified junior or senior) and living in the state (and for these purposes the District of Columbia) they will represent for the entire academic year.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in December.
Program Dates: March 2 - March 9, 2024
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; no stipend
Note: The student delegates receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship to the college or university of their choice with encouragement to continue coursework in government and history).
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is an intensive week-long educational experience and scholarship sponsored by the United States Senate for outstanding high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in public service. The mission of the United States Senate Youth Program is to provide a yearly opportunity for selected students to gain an in-depth view of the Senate and the federal government overall as well as a deeper understanding of the interrelationship of the legislative, judicial and executive branches.
Two high school juniors or seniors are selected each year from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity to serve as delegates to Washington Week which generally takes place the first or second week of March. You can check the application deadlines for the various states here. During Washington Week, the student delegates meet and learn from the highest-level elected and appointed officials in Washington. The delegates attend briefings and meetings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, cabinet members, federal agency leaders, and senior members of the national media.
8. Internships and Career Development - USC Center for the Political Future
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: Applicants:
- Must be a High School student (Graduating seniors do not qualify).
- Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0|
- Must be available June 1 - August 1, 2024
Application Deadline: TBA; based on previous years’ data - late May.
Program Dates: June 1 - August 1, 2024
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid
The USC Center for the Political Future aims to provide students with real-world experience in politics, policy-making, nonprofits, and all things related to public service. The High School Summer Internship Program offers select high school students a summer internship program akin to a collegiate one. The internship experience entails a critical analysis that summarizes and analyzes one of USC Center for the Political Future’s annual signature events, the ‘Climate Forward Conference’. After watching videos of the conference, students will work on various assignments throughout the summer. Detailed information about the internship’s responsibilities and application can be found here. While this does not seem like a conventional political internship – it offers the chance to explore political research.
9. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship Program
Location: New York City
Eligibility: Applicants:
- Must be 16 years of age or older.
- Must be a New York City resident. (applicable for Fall/Spring Term internship)
- Must have current working papers/employment certification at the time of application.
- Must be enrolled in high school or accepted to an undergraduate degree program.
Application Deadline: March 22, 2024 (Summer Term) | Date TBA for Fall/Spring Term
Program Dates: June 24 - August 16, 2024 (Summer Term) September 2024 - April 2025 (Fall/Spring Term) (Dates TBA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost, $16 per hour (paid hourly)
The NYC Office of the Mayor offers internships to high school students interested in city government and policy functioning. Interns apply to the department that interests them most and, if selected, will work within that department for the duration of their internship. In their positions, interns will have the chance to collaborate with staff and work on a range of projects including conducting research, attending meetings, managing incoming inquiries, analyzing data, drafting briefings, staffing events, and more. Through the bi-weekly Speaker Series, interns also get to learn more about the inner workings of the City government. Guest speakers include Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, Program Directors, and other senior staff. Interns will also come together to develop a service project. The goal is to design and execute a project that will impact the most deserving communities and uplift New Yorkers in need.
10. Youth Council Internship at Democracy Maine
Location: Maine
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school student (Note: if you are 15 years old or younger, you are requested to fill out a work permit application with the state of Maine).
Application Deadline: January 18, 2024 (Spring Semester) | May 15, 2024 (Summer Internship) | September 21, 2024 (Fall Semester)
Program Dates: Spring semester, Summer Internship, Fall semester (Dates TBA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid hourly ($15 per hour)
Democracy Maine is a non-partisan political organization that aims at increasing civic engagement and voter turnout in the state of Maine. They hire interns three times a year. These internships are highly prestigious, as they usually only hire 3 to 4 high school interns per hiring season. The goal of the internship is to support high school students in exploring the ways they can make an impact in their communities as active citizens. Interns have some flexibility in what they focus on learning but generally the position covers how state laws are passed in a lot of detail, and the internship supports building facilitation and organizing skills. Interns are paid hourly, and work 5 hours per week. Some work that interns might engage in includes hosting events to raise awareness and create discussion on different issues, building a newsletter to communicate with past interns and Youth council members, and creating PSAs (Public Service Announcements) to be used in classrooms across the state.
11. Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) by ABA
Location: Internships are available in several locations in California, Illinois and Texas. In addition, they offer internships in the following cities: Phoenix, AZ; Washington, DC; Miami, FL; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA (including Delaware and Camden, NJ); Salt Lake City, UT; and Seattle, WA. Students may indicate their geographic and legal preferences on their applications but may not indicate court.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: The applications typically close in January.
Program Dates: May - June, 2024 (six weeks in the summer) (Dates TBA)
Stipend: Interns are awarded $2000 for their work during the summer.
The ABA's Judicial Intern Opportunity Program is an exceptional opportunity for high school students to intern with federal or state judges across the United States. This program aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in the legal profession by encouraging talented students from all backgrounds to explore careers in law. Participants get hands-on experience in a court environment, observe trials, and engage in legal research. As an intern, you'll have the unique privilege of working directly with judges and their chambers, experiencing the judicial system from the inside. You'll have the opportunity to engage in legal research, writing, and observe court proceedings, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal process and invaluable practical skills.
The JIOP is best for those who are genuinely committed to pursuing a career in law, specifically those interested in working within the judicial branch of government.
12. Department of Education Student Internships - Student Volunteer Trainee Program
Location: Washington D.C.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Attend an accredited educational institution (a recent graduate is ineligible to apply unless he/she can provide confirmed proof of future enrollment).
- Have permission from the institution at which he/she is currently enrolled to participate in the internship program
- Be enrolled not less than half-time in a course of study related to the work to be performed.
Application Deadline: July 31, 2024 (Fall Program) | November 30, 2024 (Winter/Spring Program) | March 31, 2024 (Summer Program)
Program Dates: September - December (Fall Program) (Dates TBA) | January - May (Winter/Spring Program) (Dates TBA) | May/June - July/August (Summer Program) (Dates TBA)
Stipend: It varies from post to post.
The Student Volunteer Trainee Program is an eight to ten-week program that offers volunteer opportunities to students enrolled in accredited educational institutions. Students who participate in the program will gain educational experience in their field of study or career interest and will develop personal and professional skills. The Department works to tailor each intern’s experience to the interests and skills of the student against the needs of the Department Program Offices. ED offers internship opportunities in the following areas:
Human Resources Management;
Education Policies;
Data Analytics;
Project Management;
Training and Development;
Grants Management;
Communications;
Information Technology; and
A host of other areas.
All available internship opportunities that are currently being offered at ED will be announced via the www.usajobs.gov website. You can search for ED internship opportunities and apply there.
Interns usually work 20 to 40 hours per week during the spring and fall terms and full-time during the summer session. While these timeframes work best for most students, all scheduling, including start/end dates and hours per week, is flexible and can be negotiated between you and your office during the interview stage of the selection process.
13. Internships at the Mikva Challenge - Student Judge Program
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Eligibility:
- High school Juniors and Seniors who are U.S. citizens
- Students with a GPA of 3.0 or above
- Live in Cook County
- Be a U.S. citizen by Election Day
Application Deadline: The applications typically close in February.
Program Dates: March 19, 2024 (Primary Election Day). One Training session: Training is something that students attend on their own during a time that works for them. Students can sign up for the training session here.
Stipend: Students who have not completed any training will receive: $170 for serving on Election Day. Students who complete in-person training AND Election Day service will receive $230 total.
For more than a decade the Chicago Board of Elections and Mikva Challenge have teamed up to provide one of the most robust student judge programs in the country. Through this program, roughly 1,000 high school students from over 40 schools learn about the voting process and serve as election judges at polling places across the city each Election Day. Students, like adults, are paid for their training and Election Day work, and for elections that fall during a school day, students receive a full-day excused absence per Illinois law, if the day isn’t already a school holiday.
Judges of Election are paid to manage the precinct polling place and assist voters. You can check out the complete list of duties here.
14. Internship at Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Office
Location: Baltimore, Rockville
Eligibility: High School Junior or Senior
Application Deadline: June 14, 2024 (Fall/Spring Session)
Program Dates: September 3 – December 20, 2024 (Fall/Spring Session)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided (amount is undisclosed).
As a high school student, you can intern at Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Office for 22-26 hours/week. Interns have responsibilities like assisting with phone calls, supporting constituent casework, drafting correspondence to constituents and federal agencies, attending community events, meetings, and briefings, and drafting memos for staff and the Senator. If you’re looking to gain hands-on learning and an opportunity to network, this internship could be useful!
15. International Leadership Foundation - Youth Leadership Academy
Location: Washington D.C.
Eligibility: The applicant must:
- Be involved in community service and demonstrate leadership
- Current high school student (Rising High School Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors)
- Have a 3.0 GPA or higher
Application Deadline: The applications open in February 2024 (Dates TBA)
Program Dates: 2024 dates TBA
Cost/Stipend: $500 to participate (This cost includes any entrance fees, the Entrepreneurial Mindset Program, and other programming fees for the summer) (Scholarships are available based on financial need.); no stipend. (Note: Entrepreneurial Mindset certificates are provided upon successful completion of the program.)
Though not a traditional internship, this program is meant to help high school students understand American democracy better and their unique role in it along with the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. ILF will provide you with the skills, knowledge, inspiration, and confidence you need to become civically engaged citizens, entrepreneurial thinkers, and future leaders. After the week-long intensive seminar, which includes various expert speakers and AANHPI leaders, you will complete and gain their Entrepreneurial Mindset Program certification through the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative along with weekly check-ins with ILF instructors and utilizing real-life community involvement activities. The bridging between civic engagement and entrepreneurial learning will help you develop the skills you need to be successful in higher education, the future workplace, and as involved citizens in your communities.
The Youth Leadership Academy is intended for aspiring young leaders who are interested in a variety of fields, including public service, entrepreneurship, and business.
Bonus!
16. Ladder Internships - Non-profit Track
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Spring cohort: February 18, 2024
Summer cohort: February 18, 2024 (Early Admission) | April 14, 2024 (Regular Admission 1)
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Cost: Starting at $1,990. Financial assistance is available.
Ladder Internships offers a selective program providing students with virtual internship experiences at global startups and nonprofits. The program offers various intern positions in a wide range of industries, so students can choose the field they wish to work in. Interns usually require 5-10 hours a week to work on assigned tasks and to meet company management.
During the internship, students will work on meaningful projects that align with the startup's needs, and present their work at the end of the program. This internship program includes one-on-one communication and time management training, among other skills, and group training sessions with fellow interns.
The internship opportunities in this program span the globe, with a concentration in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the UK. Fields include technology, machine learning, AI, finance, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, healthcare, medicine, media, journalism, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.