Washington, D.C. serves as a dynamic environment for experiential learning, offering diverse internship opportunities in public policy, legal affairs, healthcare, museums, and government relations. Students across all academic disciplines at Mississippi State are encouraged to research these internship opportunities. To get started, review organizational websites to evaluate internship profiles, eligibility criteria, and submission deadlines.
Where to Find Opportunities:
Every office on Capitol Hill manages its own unique hiring timeline, requirements, and application process. Positions are typically available year-round for the fall, spring, and summer terms, though summer slots are highly competitive. Because these applications demand careful attention—frequently requiring personalized essays and interviews—it is critical to plan ahead and track deadlines closely.
While daily tasks depend heavily on the specific office, typical intern duties include:
- Legislative Research: Tracking bills and analyzing policy proposals.
- Constituent Services: Connecting with the public by managing phone calls, emails, and letters.
- Committee Support: Attending official committee hearings and briefings.
- Capitol Hospitality: Giving guided tours of the U.S. Capitol building to visitors.
- Communications: Drafting memos, speeches, and press releases.
- Office Representation: Attending various meetings and community briefings on behalf of the staff.
Explore the internship portals below for detailed information on deadlines and requirements for the Mississippi Congressional Delegation. Out-of-state Bulldogs are highly encouraged to apply to their home state’s representatives as well, as geographic ties can significantly boost your chances of selection. Be sure to check these pages regularly, as offices update their deadlines frequently.
- Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith
- Senator Roger Wicker
- Congressman Mike Ezell
- Congressman Michael Guest
- Congressman Trent Kelly
- Congressman Bennie Thompson
Check the Senate Employment Bulletin and sign up for the House Employment Bulletin to see additional Capitol Hill Internship opportunities.
- House Agriculture Committee (Majority)
- House Agriculture Committee (Minority)
- House Appropriations Committee (Majority)
- House Budget Committee (Majority)
- House Education & Workforce Committee (Minority)
- House Energy & Commerce Committee (Majority)
- House Energy & Commerce Committee (Minority)
- House Financial Services Committee (Minority)
- House Foreign Affairs Committee (Majority)
- House Foreign Affairs Committee (Minority)
- House Homeland Security Committee (Minority)
- House Administration Committee (Majority)
- House Administration Committee (Minority)
- House Judiciary Committee (Majority)
- House Judiciary Committee (Minority)
- House Natural Resources Committee (Majority)
- House Natural Resources Committee (Minority)
- House Oversight & Government Reform Committee (Majority)
- House Oversight & Government Reform Committee (Minority)
- House Rules Committee (Minority)
- House Science, Space and Technology Committee (Majority)
- House Science, Space and Technology Committee (Minority)
- House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (Majority)
- House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (Minority)
- House Ways & Means Committee (Majority)
- House Ways & Means Committee (Minority)
- Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee (Majority)
- Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee (Minority)
- Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee
- Senate Finance Committee
- Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (Minority)
- Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee
Most federal agencies require students to apply via USAJOBS.gov. If you are interested in an agency internship, create an account on USAJOBS.gov in addition to reviewing agency specific websites for application details.
- The White House
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense
- Department of Education
- Department of Energy
- Department of Health & Human Services
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Housing & Urban Development
- Department of the Interior
- Department of Justice
- Department of Labor
- Department of State
- Department of Transportation
- Department of the Treasury
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Office of Personnel Management Guidance
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Intelligence Community
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Federal Communications Commission
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Archives and Records Administration
- National Science Foundation
- Smithsonian Institution
If you are interested in natural resources, science and public policy consider applying for the Demmer Scholars Program.
The William A. Demmer Scholars Program started in 2009, and each year about 25 students from Michigan State University, Mississippi State University and the University of Montana intern at number of high-profile agencies and groups. The goal of the program is to provide students with exposure to and experience in policy making on a national level related to natural resources and conservation.
Apply to be a Demmer Scholar
The Demmer Scholars Program is a competitive process open to upper-level undergraduates and graduate students.
Applications are typically posted in the fall and are open until late October for the next year’s Demmer Scholars Program. Interviews are a part of the application process and typically take place in early November.
How to Apply
- When open, complete the online application to submit your resume and cover letter.
- Attend the program overview meeting.
- Applicants will participate in an in-person interview during the first two weeks of November.
Click here to learn more about the Demmer Scholars Program.
Founded in 1975, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) is an independent, non-profit experiential education organization based in Washington, D.C.. TWC offers immersive academic internship programs and seminars for college students and recent graduates, partnering with hundreds of U.S. and international universities and D.C. organizations. To learn more about what TWC has to offer visit https://twc.edu/.
While congressional and White House internships have traditionally been the most sought-after and most competitive opportunities, numerous other possibilities include interning at federal departments, independent agencies, think tanks, lobbying firms, campaigns, non-profit organizations, and political consulting firms.
Other D.C. internship opportunities include:
DC Housing Resources
Several local universities operate summer housing programs tailored to student interns from other colleges and universities. Below is a list of these options and other resources to help you get started in your housing search:
- American University
- George Washington University
- Georgetown Law
- Georgetown University
- Catholic University of America
- Washington Intern Student Housing “WISH”
- George Mason University (in VA)
- Thompson-Markward Hall
- Landing
Funding & Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships and/or funding can help offset the cost of DC internships. Below are a few suggestions of where to look and what to consider as you seek funding.
Check the MSU Scholarship site, Academic Works, to see if you qualify for any scholarships. The deadline for all MSU Scholarships is March 1st.
Reach out to your Colleges, Departments, and Academic Advisors to inquire about major/department specific scholarships, funding, or stipends you can apply for. When reaching out it helps if you have a rough budget of your expected expenses that you can share.
For example: the Political Science & Public Administration Department has major specific scholarships for PS students that plan to intern.
https://www.pspa.msstate.edu/students/prospective-students/scholarships
If you are a Shackouls Honors College student contact the Shackouls Honors College Dean’s office to inquire about potential stipends, scholarships or funding for experiential learning.
Consider applying for the MSU Career Center’s Internship Support Fund. For details and eligibility requirements check out the site linked here:
Not sure where to start? Follow these steps:
Sign up for the Career Center’s Co-op & Internship Mailing List to receive information regarding Washington, D.C. internship opportunities and events.
Review the internship sites above and prepare your resume.
Email Caragh Boyles to schedule a meeting to discuss your DC internship search.
Already have a DC Internship and want to stay connected with your fellow bulldogs in DC?
Reach out to Caragh Boyles to get connected!
Caragh can help you:
- Network with other MSU DC interns
- Attend Mississippi on the Mall
- Connect with the MSU DC Alumni Chapter