Local & Campaign Internships

“My internship at the Governor’s Office made learning relative, active, and enjoyable. It is a highlight in my educational experience at the University of Utah.” -Steve Clayton, Governor Mike Leavitt’s Office, Fall 1999 & Spring 2000

The Hinckley Institute of Politics sends approximately 90 students every year to a wide variety of campaign, government, and non-profit organizations in the Salt Lake City area. Students must register for at least three hours of course credit to participate. Internships are available all semesters and open to students of all majors.

Once you are placed in an office, you will work with the host office to arrange a work schedule. Most host offices are flexible with scheduling and understand that students are juggling a class and work schedule.  We recommend you arrange your schedule so that you are interning for four to six hours blocks several days per week.

Students doing a local internship are invited to apply for a Dan Jones Future Leaders, Margaret Rampton, and Pete Suazo Local Internship scholarships.  Scholarships are limited in number, students must apply to be considered.  Interns will receive scholarship funds after internship has been completed.  Applications are generally due the last day of classes of each semester. 

Election Campaigns
Hinckley Interns play important roles in local election campaigns and offers a Minor in Campaign Management . Hinckley Interns have served as campaign managers, scheduling coordinators, and volunteer supervisors for races in Utah. Campaigns allow Hinckley Interns to gain experience and participate in the political process. The Hinckley Institute of Politics has placed interns with gubernatorial, legislative, congressional, county, and municipal election candidates.

Most campaigns are unpaid, however students working on select Democratic campaigns may get a scholarship through the Karen Shepherd Fund.

How to Apply
Visit the Internship Application webpage for information about how to apply for Hinckley internships.

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

Fall 2009 - Applications accepted on a rolling basis until full.
Spring 2010 -November 13, 2009
Summer 2010 - March 31, 2010
Fall 2009 - July 17, 2010
(due dates may vary and are flexible with many local internships)

Credit and Work Hour Requirement

Government Offices
Many local government offices recruit Hinckley Interns to perform research, correspond with constituents, and help with many other activities. Please see the list and links below for more information.

Federal Government (Local Offices)

Congressman Rob Bishop

Senator Robert F. Bennett

Congressman Jason Chaffetz

Securities and Exchange Commission
The mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.

Senator Orrin Hatch

Congressman Jim Matheson

Utah State, County, and Municipal Government

Office of Guardian ad Litem

Utah Governor's Office

Utah Lt. Governor's Office

Utah State Legislature (see State Legislature page)

Utah Attorney General's Office

Utah Department of Corrections

Third District Juvenile Court

Utah District Court for the District of Utah

Salt Lake County Mayor's Office

Salt Lake County Council

Salt Lake County District Attorney

Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office

Salt Lake City Mayor's Office - Planning Division

Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Utah’s largest and longest-serving business association, it stands boldly as the voice of business

Utah Department of Community and Culture
To enhance the quality of life for the people of Utah and to create, preserve and promote community and cultural infrastructures.

Utah Department of Workforce Services Refugees Service Office
The objective of the Refugee Resettlement Program is to provide for the effective resettlement of refugees.

Utah Department of Transportation
UDOT employees are committed to meeting the challenges of Utah's growing transportation needs.

Non-Profit Organizations
Salt Lake City is home to a number of non-profit organizations dedicated to local and national issues. Please search the list below for more information.

American Cancer Society
Providing programs aimed at reducing the risk of cancer, detecting cancer as early as possible, ensuring proper treatment, and empowering people facing cancer to cope and maintain the highest possible quality of life.

Ascend Alliance
ASCEND, a Humanitarian Alliance is a unique organization where caring people make an individual impact at home and across the world.

CHOICE Humanitarian
CHOICE Humanitarian is ending poverty by focusing on sustainable village development. Our goal is to connect motivated villages to resources and tools to change their lives.

Constitutional Principles Policy Council
At the national level, and absent all partisanship, Constitutional Principles Policy Council is dedicated to returning government to the principles of its framers.

Glen Canyon Institute
Nonprofit organization with the mission of restoring a healthy Colorado River through Glen Canyon.

International Rescue Committee
Provides relief, respect and renewal to refugees and victims of armed conflict around the world.

March of Dimes
Dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Ouelessbougou-Utah Alliance
Non-profit organization, which works cooperatively with villagers in Ouelessebougou and the surrounding region in Mali, West Africa.

University of Utah Global Health Alliance (UUGHA)
*UU Global Health Alliance Internship offers international internship in Ghana, Africa or Hainan, China the spring semester after a fall internship in SLC.

Utah Rivers Council
The Utah Rivers Council protects Utah's rivers and clean water sources for today's citizens, future generations, and wildlife.

Political Organizations

Utah Democrats State Office

Salt Lake County Democratic Party

Libertarian Party of Utah

Republican Party State Office

Salt Lake County Republican Party

Lobbying/Advocacy Groups internships
A number of advocacy groups lobby Congress and bureaucratic organizations to reform existing laws and regulations. Hinckley Interns play an important role in helping these organizations function. Please click on the links of any advocacy organization that interests you.

American Civil Liberties Union
Nonprofit and nonpartisan civil liberty activists.

Bennion Center
Directing projects to address community needs.

Coalition for People with Disabilities
Advocates for public policy affecting all people in Utah who have disabilities.

Common Cause (campaign finance)
Nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest.

Crossroads Urban Center
We help organize low income, disabled, and minority Utahns be advocates on their own behalf.

Disability Law Center
Protection and Advocacy agency for the state of Utah to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Utah.

Exoro
Full-service communications consulting and public relations firm with special emphasis on public agencies and public policy.

Planned Parenthood of Utah
To ensure that every individual has the information, services, and freedom to make healthy, responsible decisions.

The Sutherland Institute
Parents are responsible for their children’s education and that the state role in education is primarily as a support to parents.

Utah Assoc. of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting and protecting justice by supporting the defense of the constitution and the rights of individuals.

Utah Children
A child advocacy organization that speaks out on behalf of the children of Utah.

Utah Health Policy Project
UHPP is a resource for the public, community leaders, businesses, health care providers and policy makers interested in strengthening the health care system while working to develop visionary and systemic solutions to the crisis of the uninsured and rising health care costs.

Utah Legal Services
Free civil legal aid programs for individuals and families dealing with poverty, violence in the home, disability, discrimination and other issues.

Utahns Against Hunger
Works to eliminate hunger in Utah

Utah Cultural Alliance
Serves and strengthens the cultural community through advocacy, member services and networking.

Utah Foundation
Promote a thriving economy, a well-prepared workforce, and a high quality of life for Utahns.

Utah Public Employees Association
Advocay group for state and local government employees.

Media internships
Various media organizations regularly accept Hinckley Interns to aid in the production of political programming.

KCPW Public Radio
KCPW public radio, 88.3 FM and 105.3 FM serves the greater Salt Lake Metropolitan area, with local, national and international news and information 24 hours a day.

KUER Radio Station (NPR)
KUER is a non-commercial public radio station licensed to the University of Utah.

ElECTION CAMPAIGNS

Please contact the Hinckley Institute to see what election campaigns are hosting interns.

For More Info
Please contact Taylor Morgan at (801) 581-8501 for more details.