About the role#
The Government & External Affairs intern supports the corporate legislative strategy by working with key stakeholders in Congress and federal departments. This role helps ensure that Congress remains informed about decisions affecting intercity passenger rail. You will gain experience in legislative processes and transportation policy while assisting the department with daily operations.
What you'll do#
- Attend meetings on Capitol Hill and at public hearings with department staff.
- Research and analyze transportation trends, election cycles, and political data.
- Prepare congressional correspondence, internal memos, and testimony.
- Organize documents for meetings, hearings, and permanent files.
- Assist with special events, student tours, and dignitary travel.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in an accredited bachelor’s degree program in Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Completion of at least 2 years of undergraduate study or junior status.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work in a collaborative environment.
Location & details#
- Location: Washington, DC.
- Term: Fall 2026 and Winter 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Compensation: This is a paid internship offering $18.00 to $35.00 per hour, depending on your year in school and program of study. Interns receive rail pass privileges and one day of PTO per academic year.
About Amtrak
Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail transportation across the United States and into three Canadian provinces. Founded in 1971, the company manages a network covering 21,000 route miles and serves over 500 destinations. It operates more than 300 trains daily with a workforce of over 13,000 employees. The headquarters is located in Washington, District of Columbia.
How to get in at Amtrak
Applying early is your best strategy for securing an internship at Amtrak because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first and get seen before the pile grows. You gain a significant advantage by acting while others are still waiting for job boards to refresh. Reaching out to the right person is often more effective than submitting an application into a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind Amtrak roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral. This direct approach materially improves your response rates compared to standard online submissions.
