UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND STATE GOVERNMENT

The 2025 legislative session begins January 14th and is expected to end on May 19th.

OVERVIEW:

If you are looking for a unique and valuable educational experience that will enhance your studies and broaden your horizons please consider applying to the Undergraduate Internship Program. It could be an important first step in your professional career.

The Undergraduate Internship Program is primarily focused on serving and learning. A sincere interest in public service is expected of all applicants for a House internship. The House, which is filled with public servants, both Members and staff, is a great place to nurture that interest and to discover allied career paths. A genuine desire to learn is also expected and in a dynamic and diverse institution like the House, opportunities for learning abound. Many of those opportunities will be organized for you while others will be the reward of your own curiosity and initiative. Like much in life, what you get out of an internship is largely determined by what you put into it.

SERVING AND LEARNING:

House interns will be assigned to serve in a member’s office or participating department. While expectations and opportunities will vary from office to office, all House interns will be required to serve a minimum of six hours per week. Responsibilities may include the following:

• Researching public policy
• Monitoring and reporting on committee meetings
• Researching and drafting responses to constituent inquiries
• Summarizing legislative materials, reports, and bills
• Conducting opinion surveys
• Drafting press releases
• Contacting legislators, lobbyists, and House staff

In addition to hands-on learning in their assigned member’s office or participating department, House interns will attend two formal educational meetings each week throughout the session. The first of these, Profiles in Public Service, are moderated conversations mostly with Members of the House but occasionally with special guests. The other meetings, Seminars in State Government, are presentations/discussions with leaders from the three branches. Meetings will be scheduled at noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Past interns found these meetings engaging and worthwhile with one observing “I couldn’t believe how many important people I met in such a short time!”

STIPEND:

To help defray the cost of transportation and meals the House provides a stipend of $75 each week to interns that have fulfilled the six-hour minimum time commitment. Interns will be required to record their presence and hours in a log located in the Sergeant’s Office. This stipend is not offered as compensation but rather in support of our intern’s educational goals.

APPLICATION AND PLACEMENT:

Application Deadline: October 24, 2024
There are three ways to submit your application:

1. Preferred: Email your completed application, a cover letter and resume to [email protected]
2. E-mail your application materials as a PDF to [email protected]
3. Mail your completed application materials to the address below:
   
   Minnesota House of Representatives
   Undergraduate Internship Program
   Centennial Office Building 3rd Floor
   658 Cedar Street
   Saint Paul, MN 55155
   

The Minnesota House of Representatives Undergraduate Internship Program offers internships during the course of regular legislative session which begins on January 14, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit their completed application and resume by emailing as a PDF to [email protected]. Students will be contacted in mid-November regarding interviews and placement.

The House Sergeant-at-Arms' staff works with caucus staff and Members to place prospective interns. Intern selection and placement or pairing decisions are made with reference to the students' educational and professional abilities and goals as well as the needs of Members, the caucuses, and participating House departments.

Thomas Holien, Educational Programs Coordinator
Andrew Olson, Assistant Sergeant
[email protected] 651-296-4860