Internships

Types of Internships: 

• Students who have applied and been awarded an internship can earn credit toward their degree by meeting the the Internship Director and enrolling in POLS 2998 or POLS 491.
• Students who have not yet secured an internship offer can work with Dr. Jessica Hejny to find an available internship and apply. If accepted, students will earn credit hours toward graduation.
• Contact Dr. Jessica Hejny for more information regarding internships at the community and local level. 
  
  

• Selected students spend a semester living in Washington, DC while working in the office of a NM senator or representative.
• Participants earn a $2,000 stipend to offset costs, and credit hours toward graduation.
• Contact Undergraduate Director Dr. Jessica Feezell for more information.
  
  

• Selected students spend a week in Santa Fe, NM and participate in part of the NM legislative session alongside state lawmakers.
• Participants earn a $500 stipend to offset costs, and credit hours toward graduation.
• Contact Undergraduate Director Dr. Jessica Feezell for more information.
  
  

• Selected students will work directly in the Mayor's Office and one other city department of their choosing.
• Participants earn credit hours toward graduation.
• Contact Undergraduate Director Dr. Jessica Feezell for more information.

Available Opportunities

• The Political Science Department offers multiple internship opportunities for students. General information about each available internship is below. To view more detailed information about any internship program please click the name of the program, additional information will include application links, details, and all requirements. 

Why Internships Matter

Participating in an internship is one of the most valuable things you can do while in college. For example, internships provide an opportunity for you to:

• reflect on, confirm or contradict what you learn in the classroom
• build and expand social and professional networks
• reflect upon your current major or future career
• build your resume
• build skills in your chosen field and future profession
• develop habits of professional practice
• exercise civic responsibilities
• learn by doing

But don’t just take our word for it. Here are what financial, career, and education experts say about the value of internships:

• Internships Have Value, Whether nor Not Students Are Paid (The Chronicles of Higher Education)

• Short-term Internships Can Provide Long-Term Value (USA Today)

• Degrees are Great, but Internships Make a Difference (US News and World Report)

• Internships: The Ultimate Return on Investment for Today’s College Student (Forbes)

• Why are Internships So Important? (CNN.com)

• The Importance of Internships to College Students (CollegeView.com)

• College Students: You Simply Must Do an Internship (Better Yet: Multiple Internships)! (LiveCareer.com)

• What is the Value of Doing an Internship? (TheBalance.com)

Does Your Organization Need an Intern?

If you represent an organization looking for a student intern, please complete our Careers, Internships, & Opportunities Form so we can be as thorough and as accurate as possible when relaying internship opportunities to students.