Internship guides
How to get a government & public policy internship
How government & public policy internships are actually won: the skills employers screen for, how to stand out without experience, what the interviews test, and live data on who is hiring right now.
The government & public policy internship market right now
Intern Insider is currently tracking 57 open government & public policy internships, 23 added this week. 96% of postings that disclose pay are paid, and 14% offer remote work. Employers hiring now include Palantir Technologies, Fishbeck, University Enterprises, Inc., Benesch, Earthjustice.
Skills employers screen for
- Policy writing and briefing formats
- Research and citation rigor
- Understanding of legislative or agency process
- Nonpartisan professionalism
- Public speaking basics
How to stand out without experience
- Intern or volunteer for any office early; the sector promotes from within its intern pool
- Write one policy memo on a local issue and bring it as a sample
- Follow one bill or rulemaking through its full process so you can narrate it
What the interviews test
Expect questions about why this office, a current issue in its portfolio, and writing ability. Read the last month of the office’s output before you interview.
When to apply: the summer 2027 cycle
Big programs open applications around August-November 2026; healthcare, media, and startups keep posting into spring 2027. Roles start May-June 2027. Applying inside the first days of a posting matters more than a perfect resume submitted late, so check the freshest roles first.
