Internship Overview

“Serving an internship has allowed me to effectively apply my skills in the real world.”
–Yelena Ayrapetova, Past Hinckley Intern

A Hinckley internship is a unique academic opportunity that allows students to step out of the classroom and gain real-world experience in government offices and with nonprofit organizations. The Hinckley Institute of Politics places more than 200 students every year in local, state, national and international internships.

Not sure which internship is for you? Supplement and expand your classroom knowledge by completing multiple internships throughout your undergraduate career. Many students start by completing a local or election internship during their sophomore or junior years and then embark on a Washington, D.C. or international internship during their senior year.

Support these student internship opportunities by clicking here.

eligibility
In order to complete a Hinckley internship, you must be an undergraduate matriculated student at the University of Utah. Students who graduate from the University of Utah are also eligible to complete a Hinckley internship during the semester following graduation, but they are still required to register for academic credit for their internship.

Internship Locations
Washington, D.C.
Students are placed with organizations and government offices such as the White House, U.S. Supreme Court, and Congressional offices. The Hinckley Institute provides a scholarship and housing subsidy for Washington, D.C. interns.

International
The Hinckley Institute offers international internships in Thailand, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Peru, India, England, Scotland, and Mexico.

State Legislatures
Interns serve as staff aides to legislators, the press, and lobbying organizations during the Utah and Alaska legislative sessions. Utah State legislative interns are required to complete the Political Science 3900 "Legislative Internship Preparation" course in the fall semester preceding the legislative internship.

Local & Campaigns
The Hinckley Institute of Politics also offers part-time internships with many local government, lobbying, and nonprofit such as the Utah Governor’s office, the Utah Attorney General’s Office, and the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office. During the summer and fall semesters the Hinckley Institute also offers part to full-time internships on local and statewide election campaigns.

Capital Encounter
Capital Encounter is a one-week program, targeted to students who cannot serve a regular, 15-week internship in Washington. Nine to eleven students travel with Professor Tim Chambless to Washington, D.C. in the Spring Semester of each year. Students who engage in this whirlwind of activity get to meet with Utah's Congressional Delegation as well as other prominent political leaders and tour sites such as the White House, Library of Congress, and U.S. Capitol Building.

Setting up your own internship
If you want to pursue or have already set up your own internship, you may submit a proposal to the Hinckley Institute to request academic credit and/or institutional support. Click here for more information and speak to the intern manager.

Internship Dates
Spring 2009 - January 12 - May 1, 2009
Summer 2009 - May 18 - August 14, 2009
Fall 2009 - August 24 - December 18, 2009
Spring 2010 - January 11 - April 30, 2010
Summer 2010 - May 17 - August 13, 2010

Internship academic Requirements
Hinckley interns are required to register for the Political Science 4900 or Political Science 4901 (4901is for students involved with the Bennion Center seeking a Service Learning add-on) or 6960 (for undergraduates in the Honors College, "Political Internship" class (add code provided by internship manager) during the semester of their internship.

- Research Paper (most significant part of the grade)
-Book Review
-Supervisor evaluation of intern
-Student evaluation of internship
-Meeting Attendance and Intern Hour Tracking Sheet

Below is a breakdown of internship hours, academic credit, and research paper lengths. Note that the number of credit hours taken correlates with the number of hours worked and the research paper length varies with the number of credit hours taken.

HOW to APPLY

1) Browse the Hinckley Institute Website
Feel free to browse the Internships section of our website to see what the Hinckley Institute has to offer. Information and web links are provided to educate you about each internship opportunity. Make a ranked list of which internship offices are of the most interest to you.

2) Submit the Online Application Cover Sheet
Fill out and submit the Online Application Cover Sheet (keep track of your "access code" for future reference). Once you have submitted the online cover sheet, a pdf document with a copy of your online cover sheet, the internship application checklist, academic form, and letter of recommendation forms will appear. You will use these documents to compile your internship application.

3) Compile the Internship Application
Use the "internship application checklist" printed off in step 2 to compile your application. A complete application includes the following items:

• Online application cover sheet (hard copy)
• Current resume
• 2-4 letters of recommendation (at least one letter must be an academic reference)
• Personal statement
• 4-5 page writing sample
• Signed academic form
• Official University of Utah Transcript
• Completed application checklist

4) Submit the Completed Internship Application
Drop off your completed internship application to the Hinckley Institute of Politics. The Hinckley Institute is located in Room 253 of Orson Spencer Hall, and is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

5) Meet with the Internship Manager
Once your application is submitted, e-mail our intern managers Courtney McBeth ( International) Amy Gale (DC) or Taylor Morgan (Local & Legislative) to set up an appointment. You will be interviewed to help you find an internship that matches your interests and qualifications.

Application Deadlines
Deadlines are subject to change based on internship availability. Please contact the Hinckley Institute for more information.

Washington D.C. and International
Spring 2010 -DC Accepting Applications on a rolling basis until full. Intl full.
Summer 2010 - December 31, 2009
Fall 2010 - May 10, 2010
Spring 2011 - September 24, 2010

Local Government Offices and Campaigns
Spring 2010 - November 13, 2009
Summer 2010 - March 31, 2010
Fall 2010 - July 30, 2010