Finding Internships and Fellowships In Public Policy and Urban Affairs Stephanie Pollack Internship and Fellowship Coordinator November 18, 2009 University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Internships and fellowships  Internships During summer (full or part-time) or school year (generally part-time) Some are paid, many are unpaid You may be able to receive academic credit  Fellowships Often used to refer to monetary awards for post- graduate study, research or travel May also apply to paid school-year (or even summer) programs for current graduate programs

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs An internship is a job even if it doesn’t pay  Finding an internship is the same as finding a job Market is very competitive now But are also opportunities because government is short-staffed Plan on sending out a lot of applications and inquiries  Follow the basic steps in a job search Research Network Apply Follow Up

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Researching policy internships  What kind of experience do you want? Any experience connected to policy Experience in a specific policy area (housing, economic development, health care, transportation, etc.)  Are you limited to the Boston area?  What sectors would you consider working in? Government Not-for-profit Private sector

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Researching internships: Using the Policy School website   Go to “Resources and Opportunities”  Then to “Employment, Co-ops, & Internships”

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Researching internships: Government  Federal Agencies (Boston field offices) Congressional delegation  Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive branch Legislative branch  City/town government Key website for Federal jobs is ntjobs.gov/

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Researching internships: Commonwealth of Massachusetts  Governor’s office  Other statewide elected officials  Executive branch agencies Executive offices Agencies  Legislature Senators and Representatives Committees lists every agency alphabetically

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Researching internships: Not-for-profit and private sector  Not-for-profits engaged in policy work Advocacy/lobbying groups Service providers Trade associations  Private sector Government affairs/consulting firms Specific corporations Good websites include

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Networking to find policy internships  Your goal is to be able to apply to a person, not an organization When you apply, you apply to that person And explain your connection to that person  Identify potential contacts through Your professors here at Northeastern Your parents/family/friends Your research  Who are donors to elected officials?  Who is on the board of a not-for-profit?

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Applying for an internship  Cover letter Should clearly demonstrate that you understand the place you are applying to Should highlight why they should be interested in you  Resume (one page)  Be prepared to provide Writing sample(s) Recommendations

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Following up on your application  Best follow up is a phone call or from someone who Has a relationship with the person/organization you applied to Knows you  If that is not possible, you should call and/or to follow up But not until a reasonable amount of time has passed since your application was submitted

University School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs Timetable for Summer 2010 internships and fellowships  You can already be working on Research Networking Preparing your resume Identifying writing sample and recommendations  Paid internships/fellowships and organized but unpaid programs generally have January- March application deadlines  Send out applications/inquiries for other internships in February/March