CPT Government Jobs
Government CPT positions span federal agencies, state offices, municipal departments, and public policy organizations, giving students in public administration, political science, economics, law, and related fields hands-on experience that directly satisfies curriculum internship requirements. Because government employers provide offer letters without USCIS paperwork or sponsorship costs, CPT authorization moves quickly once your DSO approves the placement.
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Get Access To All JobsGovernment Relations Intern
Location: State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN (some remote work included)
About the Role:
Winthrop & Weinstine is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Government Relations Intern to support our government relations team’s policy and advocacy efforts during the spring legislative session. This part-time internship offers hands-on experience in the legislative process and the opportunity to contribute to the important work of state government.
Key Responsibilities:
- Track state legislation relevant to client priorities
- Attend legislative committee hearings (virtually or in-person) and prepare timely summaries
- Draft communications, including policy updates, reports, and briefings
- Assist with legislative research and analysis
- Support other government relations activities as needed
Qualifications
- Current undergraduate student in political science, public policy, communications, or a related field
- Strong writing, research, and organizational skills
- Interest in government, public policy, and the legislative process
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines with attention to detail
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Professional demeanor and strong communication skills
Additional Information:
- This is a paid internship at $20.00 per hour
- Expected workload is 8–10 hours per week depending on the legislative schedule and your class schedule
- Internship runs from February through May
- Academic credit can be arranged
- Not eligible for benefits
Working Conditions:
- Requires use of office equipment, such as computers, phones, and copiers.
- Requires sitting and computer-related activities for extended periods of time.
How to Apply:
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience (1–2 pages) at Careers - Winthrop & Weinstine by Friday, October 30, 2026.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Winthrop & Weinstine is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other basis protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.
Government Relations Intern
Location: State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN (some remote work included)
About the Role:
Winthrop & Weinstine is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Government Relations Intern to support our government relations team’s policy and advocacy efforts during the spring legislative session. This part-time internship offers hands-on experience in the legislative process and the opportunity to contribute to the important work of state government.
Key Responsibilities:
- Track state legislation relevant to client priorities
- Attend legislative committee hearings (virtually or in-person) and prepare timely summaries
- Draft communications, including policy updates, reports, and briefings
- Assist with legislative research and analysis
- Support other government relations activities as needed
Qualifications
- Current undergraduate student in political science, public policy, communications, or a related field
- Strong writing, research, and organizational skills
- Interest in government, public policy, and the legislative process
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines with attention to detail
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Professional demeanor and strong communication skills
Additional Information:
- This is a paid internship at $20.00 per hour
- Expected workload is 8–10 hours per week depending on the legislative schedule and your class schedule
- Internship runs from February through May
- Academic credit can be arranged
- Not eligible for benefits
Working Conditions:
- Requires use of office equipment, such as computers, phones, and copiers.
- Requires sitting and computer-related activities for extended periods of time.
How to Apply:
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience (1–2 pages) at Careers - Winthrop & Weinstine by Friday, October 30, 2026.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Winthrop & Weinstine is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other basis protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.
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Get Access To All JobsGovernment CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
How does government work qualify for CPT authorization?
CPT requires a direct connection between the work and your academic program. Government roles qualify when they align with your major, whether that is policy analysis for a public affairs student, data work for an economics student, or legal research for a pre-law or political science student. Your DSO will review the offer letter and confirm the role ties to a required or elective course in your curriculum before authorizing CPT.
Can I do a government CPT internship part-time while classes are in session?
Yes, and part-time CPT (under 20 hours per week) is the most common arrangement during active semesters. Federal and state agencies frequently structure student internship programs around academic schedules precisely because they recruit from university pipelines. Full-time government CPT is an option during official school breaks. Keep in mind that accumulating 12 or more months of full-time CPT across your program makes you ineligible for OPT, so most students stay part-time during the academic year.
What academic programs most commonly place students in government CPT roles?
Public policy, public administration, political science, economics, international relations, environmental science, computer science, and urban planning are the programs most frequently connected to government CPT placements. Agencies such as the EPA, Department of Transportation, and municipal planning offices regularly work with universities to host students whose coursework maps to agency functions. Your academic advisor or career center can confirm which government roles have been approved for CPT in your program previously.
How do I get CPT authorized for a government position once I have an offer?
The process starts with your employer providing an offer letter that includes your start date, end date, hours per week, job title, and a brief description of duties. You submit this to your DSO along with any required academic forms, such as a department approval or enrollment in a co-op course. Most schools process CPT authorization within a few days to two weeks. There are no USCIS filings and no cost to the government employer, which makes the authorization timeline faster than employer-sponsored visa processes.
Where is the best place to find government CPT internships?
Migrate Mate is the recommended starting point for F-1 students searching for CPT-eligible government positions, as the platform surfaces roles specifically open to students on F-1 work authorization. Beyond that, university career centers often maintain direct relationships with federal and state agencies through formal internship pipelines. Applying early matters in the government sector because many agencies run structured cohort programs with application windows that close months before the internship start date.