*Before proceeding, please carefully read the application criteria below to ensure you are eligible to apply to the program.

To be considered for this internship, you must:

• Be a current college undergraduate student in good academic standing (at least a 2.0 G.P.A and not on academic or progress probation) attending an accredited two- or four-year institution of higher education in Minnesota. (We are not accepting High School PSEO students at this time.)
• Have completed your first year in college (at least have Sophomore status) or have the equivalent in credits of a full first year student.
• Self-identify as BIPOC.
• Have a J1/F1 visa with authorization to work in the U.S. if you are an international student.
• Undocumented students are eligible to apply.
• Be available to interview with up to three host organizations during the weeks of:
  • Dates: November 21 – December 2, 2022
• Be available to attend 4-hour long monthly cohort meetings on the following dates:
  • Dates: January 20, February 17, March 24, April 21 and May 12 (2023)
• Be available to attend a mandatory paid student orientation and legislative training on:
  • Dates: December 26 – 30, 2022
• Be available to attend a race & equity training sometime on the week of January 16, 2023. Date to be determined.

In the program, student interns:

• Join a cohort of up to 35 other students and attend 4-hour long monthly cohort meetings for networking, leadership development and professional skill-building sessions. Cohort meetings are facilitated by program leaders and selected speakers. Cohort meetings are compensated time by the host organization.
• Are matched with an organization (lobbying firm, nonprofit, government agency and others) working at or around the Capitol for the length of a legislative session. These internship sites are referred to as our host organizations/sites. All host organizations will assign a staff person as the student intern’s direct host supervisor.
• Work at their internship a minimum of 10 hours per week during the length of session and are compensated a minimum of $15/per hour. Internships provide policymaking experience. In light of the ongoing pandemic, some of the work may be conducted remotely. Intern responsibilities and duties will vary depending on the organization they work with however, some work examples include:
  • Informational interviews with legislators, Capitol staff and other policy professionals
  • Research, track and summarize bills
  • Attend committee meetings, take notes and draft summaries
  • Assist in scheduling, preparation, and staffing meetings
  • Attend events within your organization and externally
  • Write articles for social media (e-newsletters, blogs, etc.)
• Are consistently exposed to other job, internship and networking opportunities through their host organizations, programmed social hours following cohort meetings, a closed social media alumni network where opportunities are posted, and ongoing mentorship by program staff.

• Resume
• A letter of recommendation is not required this year.