Minnesota Capitol Pathways
Capitol Pathways opens access to policymaking and public service to the next generation of leaders who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). It is a paid spring internship program for BIPOC students who are currently enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college or university in Minnesota. With the long-term goal of making Minnesota state government more representative of our diverse communities, our program provides students legislative and career readiness training alongside an immersive hands-on internship experience during the legislative session.
We are now recruiting for the 2024 Capitol Pathways program!
Our host application will open on Monday, October 2nd and the student application on November 1st.
About Capitol Pathways
Everyone should have access to opportunities in public service and policy, and our government should be representative of our diverse communities.
Since 2016, the Capitol Pathways program has placed BIPOC college students in paid internships with government offices, nonprofits, corporations, and law firms where they have gained policymaking experience and built relationships in and around the Capitol.
Each year during Minnesota’s legislative session, interns gain the following to advance their future policy careers:
- Develop relationships with established policy leaders.
- Gain first-hand experience in different policy and government careers.
- Increase their understanding of policymaking and the legislative process.
- Create a strong professional resume.
24%
Percentage of Minnesota’s population who identify as part of the BIPOC community
17%
Current members of the state legislature who identify as BIPOC
260
The number of BIPOC college students that have participated in the program since 2016, many of them continuing their careers in policy and government
Capitol Pathways Updates
Capitol Pathways Student Spotlight: Amanda de Souza
“It is essential and urgent that people of color have access to decision-making spaces to craft policies,” says Capitol Pathways student Amanda De Souza. Read our Capitol Pathways Spotlight.
Capitol Pathways Cohort Meeting Recap: Writing, Lobbying, and Legislating
Our Capitol Pathways students gathered together again on March 17, 2023 to share internship experiences and take part in various trainings related to careers in policy.
Capitol Pathways Student Spotlight: Jesus Gonzalez Ruiz
Meet Jesus Gonzalez Ruiz, a 2nd year student at Concordia College studying finance and accounting. Through Capitol Pathways, he is interning with Center for Rural Policy and Development.
SUPPORT CAPITOL PATHWAYS
A gift of any amount is valuable and goes directly to support the program. Donate today to support BIPOC students and their path to becoming civic leaders in Minnesota.
DONATE
This program is made possible in part by major donors:
Clifton Allen Larson Foundation
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
Jefferson Lines
McKnight Foundation
Minnesota Government Relations Council
Otto Bremer Trust
Youthprise