Georgia Legislative Internships

Program Information: Paid Internship

Students selected to participate in the Georgia Legislative Internship Program, will intern in the House, Senate or one of the legislative offices in Atlanta, Georgia. The internship period corresponds with the annual session of the General Assembly during Spring semester. The session begins in January and, with the usual budget recesses, concludes between late-March and mid-April. During the week prior to the convening of the legislature, an orientation for interns is held at the Capitol.

Important Dates: (This is a Spring Semster internship.)

• Application Deadline – September 15
• Candidate Interview: Week of November 7
• Intern Interviews: Tuesday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 14, 2016
• Orientation: January 4 through Friday, January 6, 2017
• First Day for Legislative Session: Monday, January 9, 2017

Job Duties:

• Internship is full-time. Work Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm and some night and weekend events.
• Most interns are assigned to a standing committee in the House or Senate. Some may be assigned to legislative offices.
• Responsibilities all include researching bills or issues before the General Assembly, working with a legislative committee, monitoring the progress of legislation, and other duties as assigned by the committee.
• Above all, interns have the valuable opportunity to witness the lawmaking process first-hand.

Benefits:

• The Georgia Legislative Internship Program provides the opportunity to be a part of a dynamic state government even before you graduate.
• The opportunity to see how state government really works-how it makes things happen here in Georgia.
• The opportunity to help share Georgia’s future- in politics, business, law, media, education, medicine, or farming. Here is your chance to meet and work with Georgia’s leaders.
• The opportunity to enhance your education by obtaining the experience and contacts for future job opportunities.
• The General Assembly pays each student a weekly stipend of approximately $300.00 per week.

Expectations:

• Professionalism (including dress, phone etiquette, understanding Congressional office environments, confidentiality).
• Positively represent Georgia Southern University.
• Attend preparation and follow up meetings (e.g. How to be Successful during your internship, Evaluation of the experience, sharing your experience with other students).
• Submit a reflection essay about your experience at the completion of your internship.

Eligibility

• Participation is open to all majors.
• Be a legal Georgia resident.
• Have a GPA of at least 2.8.
• Be an undergraduate junior or senior student.
• Selection is based on academic standing and potential for leadership in politics and government as indicated by grades, work experiences, extracurricular activities, interests, and maturity. You will be asked to furnish transcripts, as well as references from people who have worked with you.
• A prerequisite for participation in the Georgia Legislature Intern Program is agreement by your department that academic credit will be granted for the internship. Each student is expected to work with your academic advisor to determine the amount of credit, the department in which it is granted, and the requirements for earning credit.

Application Process

• Must complete this Application. Deadline is October 1.
• Must include 3-5 Reference Forms. References due by October 15.