Who?

Who Should Do an Internship?
The Department strongly encourages all majors/minors to pursue internship opportunities in their sophomore, junior, & senior years

What?

What is expected of students doing internships?
Students are expected to work 105-110 hours/semester at their placement (approximately 8-10 hours/week) for 3 credits. The days/hours are arranged by the internship placement supervisor and student. In addition to keeping a written account or “diary” of the internship, students are also expected to write a research paper and complete a few other related assignments under the direction of the faculty coordinator and as described on the internship syllabus.

Where?

PS Major E.J. Folloro during internship at New York State Assembly

Where have students in the program interned? Students in Iona’s Political Science Department have interned in a variety of organizations and institutions locally (New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York City), state-wide (Albany), and nationally (Washington DC). These include: Westchester County District Attorney’s Office; local mayoral offices; State Legislatures (Assembly and Senate) in Albany; the Offices of local, state, and federal elected officials such as Representative N. Lowey and Senator Charles Schumer; CBS News; CNN News; United Nations; political campaigns, and much more.

To read about the experiences of a few of our interns, see the following news item:

Iona Students Interning in U.S. Senate more


When can students complete internships for credit?
Students can complete internships during the Fall or Spring semesters. It is also possible to complete internships during the summer sessions, credits costs pertain.

When do students begin looking for internships?
Internships can be competitive so students are encouraged to begin looking for internship placements early in the semester prior to the semester they would like to complete the internship.

Why?

Why Do an Internship?
Internships allow you to...

• Learn about government, politics, law first-hand
• Find out if a career in government, politics, law is right for you
• Test classroom theories
• Make invaluable contacts
• Sometimes lead to jobs
• Provide invaluable work experience
• Meet and network with people who share your interests
• Besides, they look great on your resume, grad school, & law school applications

How?

How do students register for internships?
Internships are closed courses (POL 483/POL 484). To register students must get a signed closed course card from the Department Chair. Students can then register in-person at the Registrars Office. Students must register before the end of the add/drop period.

If you are interested in doing an internship or want additional information, contact Dr. Jeanne Zaino at jzaino@iona.edu or 914.633.2697

How do students find internships?
Students are responsible for arranging their internships, but members of the faculty and Career Services (Spellman, 2nd floor) can recommend any number of intern possibilities. 

In order to locate an internship, students are encouraged to follow the steps below. If the internship application requires a letter of recommendation or reference, see the steps for requesting recommendations at: http://www.iona.edu/academic/artsscience/departments/politicalscience/GradLaw/recommendations.cfm

Once a student finds an internship, contact Dr. Jeanne Zaino for information on how to register.


Steps to Finding an Internship
Register for GAELlinkGAELlink is a service provided to all students. Once you log on you can...

• View Internship and Job Postings
• Learn about career events such as job fairs and company information sessions
• Register for resume, cover letter and interviewing workshops
• Participate in alumni networking events
• Create a career portfolio containing a resume, cover letter, transcripts, writing samples and more.
• Manage your own personalized calendar of career activities and events
  To learn more about Gaellink or register, visit The Gerri Ripp Center for Career Development at http://www.iona.edu/studentlife/career/
• Make an Appointment with The Gerri Ripp Center for Career Development
  The Gerri Ripp Center is located on the 2nd Floor of Spellman. To make an appointment call (914) 633-2462 or email careerdevelopment@iona.edu.
• Consult “The Next Step: Your Career Planning Manual” and “Internships” links on the Center for Career Development on-line at http://www.iona.edu/studentlife/career/ (see under “Fast Access”)
• Contact a member of the Political Science faculty
  Contact Political Science faculty via email (see below), call 914.633.2431, or stop by (2 President Street/Political Science House
  
  Dr. J. Zaino, Chair Political Science & Professor - jzaino@iona.edu
  
  Dr. T. Mulligan, Dir. International Studies & Professor - tmulligan@iona.edu
  
  Dr. M. Hagerty, Professor - mhagerty@iona.edu
  
  Dr. R. Lacey, Professor - rlacey@iona.edu
  
  
• Check out Links to Exciting Internship Opportunities in the Fields of Law, Political Science, Public Policy, International Studies, and Other related Areas:

The following links are arranged by topic & location

LEGAL/JUDICIAL

The nation’s judicial system provides numerous opportunities to learn about the legal process.
Westchester County District Attorneys Office

LOCAL (Westchester County, New York City)

For many, local governments are the least visible level of government.  Yet, local governments in NY and elsewhere do more than their fair share of governing.   Among other things, local governments educate our children, insure public safety, provide health care, implement welfare programs, protect the environment, promote economic development and make dozens of decisions on a daily basis that directly effect each of our lives.  For that reason, interning with local governments or those groups that deal with local governments can provide rich insights into the political and policy process. 

Students can also serve as interns at the local level elsewhere in the state or region.  Those internships allow the student to return home in the summer while earning Iona credit.  Interested students are encouraged to contact city and county governments, area legislative offices (including the district offices of state representatives and members of the U.S. Congress) citizen groups, and others back home about additional intern possibilities. 
City of New York Internships - internship programs for college students/recent graduates interested in public service.  

STATE (Albany)

Students are also encouraged to serve as interns in their home states. Contact the state legislature, district offices and others back home about other intern possibilities.

Intern Opportunities in New York State Government - internship opportunities in several areas of NY state government (ex. the Assembly, Bridge Authority, Court Administration, Dormitory Authority, Education Department, Environmental Conservation, Hudson River Park Trust, Human Rights, Insurance Department, Senate, and State Police).

NATIONAL/FEDERAL (Washington DC)
The White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/26/apply-for-an-internship/

The U.S. House of Representatives
http://dcjobsource.com/houseinterns.html

The U.S. Senate
The Placement Office assists Senators and Senate Committees with filling entry-level through professional staff vacancies by providing, upon request, resumes of qualified candidates. The Office is nonpartisan and funded by the United States Senate. http://www.senate.gov/visiting/common/generic/placement_office.htm

The Department of State
When you join the U.S. Department of State as a student intern, there's no limit as to how far it can take you. Here, you'll have an exciting opportunity to connect with the global community, gain insight into U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy, explore new career avenues and most of all, acquire lifelong skills as you represent America to the world. Are you up for the challenge? http://careers.state.gov/students/

Janes Information Group
http://www.janes.com/careers/jsas_intern_2008_us.html

The Democratic National Committee   
http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/07/dnc_internshi.php

The Republican National Committee
http://www.gop.com/Internships.htm

The Washington Center
http://www.twc.edu/agencies/default.shtml

Institute for Experiential Learning
http://www.ielnet.org/

American University (The Washington Semester)
http://www.washingtonsemester.com/

Georgetown University (The Fund for American Studies)
http://www12.georgetown.edu/scs/washington/home.cfm

Project Vote Smart
Students throughout the U.S. , including International Studies students interested in learning more about American politics, gather in the Rocky Mountains of Montana to do research on elected officials and candidates. The Project will select up to four students from Iona to spend 10 weeks during the Spring, Summer, or Fall of 2005 doing political research. A grant from Hearst Foundation pays for all student lodging and food. Founded by former Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, the Project aims to help Americans be more informed voters. For more info.
http://www.votesmart.org/ or call 1-888-vote-smart.

ACT Summer Internship Program
ACT sponsors a Summer Internship Program, offered annually to outstanding doctoral students interested in careers related to assessment and educational studies. The program provides interns with practical experience through completion of a project, seminars, and direct interaction with professionals responsible for research and development of testing programs and other educational services. The program is also intended to assist in increasing the number of women and minority professionals in measurement and related fields.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Internships
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Internship programs bring the policy making process to life. The nation's capital serves as the backdrop for our internship programs that offer personal, educational, and leadership development. Students leave our programs better prepared to meet the complex challenges facing current and future generations.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Summer Internship
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Program focuses on increasing Hispanic Students' awareness of the U.S. political system and enhancing their leadership skills.

Ford Motor Company/Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) Leadership Program
This program offers a unique internship experience for students to develop their personal, educational, and leadership skills. Opportunity for students to gain exposure to the inner workings of the United States Congress, Federal Government and Washington, DC-based think tanks and international institutions.

Foreign Agricultural Service's International Internship Program
The Foreign Agricultural Service's International Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to live and work in a paid internship at an American Embassy overseas. Through work assignments participants learn various aspects of international trade, trade policy, international relations, diplomacy, regional and cultural considerations, etc. Positions are available in Western Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The internship is offered every semester and summer for graduate students and upperclassmen (juniors and seniors).

Jefferson Consulting Group, LLC
Jefferson Consulting Group, LLC This organization provides strategic business and marketing advice, procurement assistance, and lobbying services to clients. They offer unpaid year-round internships to Junior, Senior or Graduate students studying Political Science and Public or Business Administration. Interns work directly with Lobbying, Federal Marketing, and Government Solutions Divisions on client-related activities. Responsibilities include policy, market and issues research and analysis, development of research summaries, charts and graphs as well as other project-oriented tasks.

Ralph Bunche Summer Institute
This introduces minority students to the world of graduate study and encourages minority students to apply to PhD programs. For more info. http://www.apsanet.org/

Morris K. Udall Foundation Native American Summer Congressional Internship Program
This program is designed to provide Native American college students with experience in the legislative process, congressional matters, and governmental proceedings.

INTERNATIONAL

The Department of State Internship Program
http://careers.state.gov/students/

Internships at the United Nations Headquarters
http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/sds/internsh/index.htm

Directory of International Internships
http://www.internabroad.com/search.cfm

Studyabroad.com
http://www.studyabroad.com/

Association of International Practical Training
AIPT (the Association for International Practical Training) provides educational and professional exchange experiences that enhance cultural awareness develop global competencies, mutual understanding, and international cooperation. http://www.aipt.org/programs/programs-index.html

Council on International Educational Exchange
http://ciee.org/study.aspx

European Union Internship Programs

The Delegation of the European Commission offers a variety of internship positions at its office in Washington, DC. The New York Delegation, too, offers internship positions. Please contact that Delegation directly for more information on opportunities there. (For information on EU internships in Europe, click here.)


WEB SITES WITH LISTS OF MULITIPLE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

American Political Science Association Internship Resources
http://www.apsanet.org/content_11599.cfm

The Capital Experience and The Embassy and Diplomatic Scholars Program
These are full-time semester internships that give students exposure to careers in Washington , D.C. Students with interests in International Relations, including business and languages, should look into the embassy and Diplomatic internships. For more info. info@ielnet.org or call 1-800-435-0770. (Unlike the Albany internship which pays student interns, this internship would require payment of Iona tuition as well as food and lodging and educational expenses in Washington.)

City of New York Internships 
Internship programs for college students/recent graduates interested in public service.  

College Board Online
This site has several articles with links pointing to internship resources. Use the site's search feature to search on "internships"

Fellowships, Internships and Service Programs (FISP) Database 
 The FISP database is an online searchable database containing 370+ fellowships, internships and other established service programs collected from websites and print resources. With few exceptions, opportunities included in the database meet the following criteria: are public service opportunities; are designed as summer or one - two year programs for continuing undergraduates, graduating seniors and recent graduates; offer compensation (room and board and/or stipend) Source: Haas Center for Public Service.

Intern Opportunities in New York State Government - internship opportunities in several areas of NY state government (ex. the Assembly, Bridge Authority, Court Administration, Dormitory Authority, Education Department, Environmental Conservation, Hudson River Park Trust, Human Rights, Insurance Department, Senate, and State Police).

Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities National Internship Program
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities National Internship Program This program offers internships to Hispanic Students who attend institutions that enroll significant numbers of Hispanic Students. Internships are offered in Washington D.C. as well as other locations throughout the country. http://www.hacu.net/hacu/Default_EN.asp

Rising Star Internships
This web site contains an extensive database of internship opportunities for students and is a place where they can post their resumes in order to secure internships. http://www.rsinternships.com/

Corporate, Government, and Non-Profit Sector Internship Directory & Scholarship Guide  Compiled by the New York State Assembly Puerto Rican Hispanic Task Force, this Guide is designed to help guide students in the “search for volunteer and paid internship/fellowship opportunities and scholarships that can assist undergraduate, graduate or law school education.” http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/PRHisp/20070213/guide.pdf