Government Relations Specialist Internships
Government relations specialist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience in policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement, mentorship from working government relations specialists, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with MTSI, IDEMIA, and Land O'Lakes among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Government Relations Specialist Internships
SPRING 2027 INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Start/End Date: Jan 2027 through May 2027
JOB SUMMARY
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Understand the inner workings of the DC nonprofit government relations, public policy, and advocacy systems.
- How to execute and manage advocacy strategies
- How to build and manage relationships with stakeholders to the benefit of the program and mission
- How to use essential advocacy tools and software
- How to meet challenges, overcome obstacles, and work in a dynamic team environment
- How to develop stewardship communication skills
- Coordinate and track meetings and visits with Members of Congress and the Administration conducted with
Boys & Girls Clubs of America and local Club organizations. -
Research legislation and regulatory comments important to Boys & Girls Clubs at a national, state, and
local level; Conduct web-based and other research as needed on BGCA legislative issues. -
Research, collect and aggregate data on issues critical to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s federal
legislative priorities. - Attend coalition meetings, Capitol Hill visits, and Congressional hearings on behalf of BGCA
- Create and update biographical and background information on Members of Congress and stakeholders.
- Assist with planning and support of BGCA’s fly-ins and/or other Government Relations events.
- Support thought leadership opportunities as assigned.
- Assist with production and editing of government relations & advocacy materials and internal documents.
-
Support collection of relevant Club and youth stories related to BGCA priority issues to further enhance
BGCA advocacy efforts. -
Perform basic clerical tasks, including word processing, copying, mailing, filing, managing routine office
business, and provide other program, administrative, and organization-wide support as needed/assigned. - Other related/comparable duties as assigned.
- Must be enrolled at an undergraduate 2 or 4 year college/university or equivalent work experience
-
Basic understanding and interest in advocacy, government relations, public policy & legislative
procedure required - Interest in nonprofit and youth development encouraged
- Strong interest in project management in nonprofit environments
-
Strong computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power
Point, SharePoint, etc.). -
Strong verbal and written communications skills including proofreading, copy editing, writing, and
oral communication skills - An ability to manage time appropriately.
-
Demonstrated professionalism and maturity and a tolerance for rapid pace and shifting
assignments and priorities - Flexibility, good judgement, attention to detail
- A demonstrated commitment and interest in the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America
-
An ability to adhere to organizational policies and procedures as described in BGCA's Ethics Policy
and elsewhere.
-
Ability to demonstrate BGCA’s values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect, and
excellence (ICARE) and integrate them into your work environment, model them in the way that
you work, and uphold those same values in others. - Demonstrate a track record of reliability, independent work, and creativity and is self-motivated
- Demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively as well as an eagerness to learn.
- Must be available, on-site in Washington, DC February 22, 2027 – March 2, 2027 (as assigned).
SPRING 2027 INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Start/End Date: Jan 2027 through May 2027
JOB SUMMARY
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Understand the inner workings of the DC nonprofit government relations, public policy, and advocacy systems.
- How to execute and manage advocacy strategies
- How to build and manage relationships with stakeholders to the benefit of the program and mission
- How to use essential advocacy tools and software
- How to meet challenges, overcome obstacles, and work in a dynamic team environment
- How to develop stewardship communication skills
- Coordinate and track meetings and visits with Members of Congress and the Administration conducted with
Boys & Girls Clubs of America and local Club organizations. -
Research legislation and regulatory comments important to Boys & Girls Clubs at a national, state, and
local level; Conduct web-based and other research as needed on BGCA legislative issues. -
Research, collect and aggregate data on issues critical to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s federal
legislative priorities. - Attend coalition meetings, Capitol Hill visits, and Congressional hearings on behalf of BGCA
- Create and update biographical and background information on Members of Congress and stakeholders.
- Assist with planning and support of BGCA’s fly-ins and/or other Government Relations events.
- Support thought leadership opportunities as assigned.
- Assist with production and editing of government relations & advocacy materials and internal documents.
-
Support collection of relevant Club and youth stories related to BGCA priority issues to further enhance
BGCA advocacy efforts. -
Perform basic clerical tasks, including word processing, copying, mailing, filing, managing routine office
business, and provide other program, administrative, and organization-wide support as needed/assigned. - Other related/comparable duties as assigned.
- Must be enrolled at an undergraduate 2 or 4 year college/university or equivalent work experience
-
Basic understanding and interest in advocacy, government relations, public policy & legislative
procedure required - Interest in nonprofit and youth development encouraged
- Strong interest in project management in nonprofit environments
-
Strong computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power
Point, SharePoint, etc.). -
Strong verbal and written communications skills including proofreading, copy editing, writing, and
oral communication skills - An ability to manage time appropriately.
-
Demonstrated professionalism and maturity and a tolerance for rapid pace and shifting
assignments and priorities - Flexibility, good judgement, attention to detail
- A demonstrated commitment and interest in the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America
-
An ability to adhere to organizational policies and procedures as described in BGCA's Ethics Policy
and elsewhere.
-
Ability to demonstrate BGCA’s values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect, and
excellence (ICARE) and integrate them into your work environment, model them in the way that
you work, and uphold those same values in others. - Demonstrate a track record of reliability, independent work, and creativity and is self-motivated
- Demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively as well as an eagerness to learn.
- Must be available, on-site in Washington, DC February 22, 2027 – March 2, 2027 (as assigned).
Government Relations Specialist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Government Relations Specialist Internship Search
Apply months before the program starts
Large employers, trade associations, and government agencies recruit summer government relations specialist interns the preceding fall, often closing applications in November or December. Smaller organizations and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Check listings consistently across the year rather than waiting for one recruiting season.
Build a policy portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for government relations specialist interns expect limited work history, so give them something concrete to review instead. A published legislative analysis, a regulatory comment letter, or a stakeholder mapping project with clearly documented methodology demonstrates the skills they are actually assessing at the intern level.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time widens the pool you reach.
Practice policy and stakeholder scenarios out loud
Government relations specialist intern interviews commonly involve policy case questions, stakeholder communication scenarios, or legislative analysis exercises. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud, not just arriving at an answer, because interviewers weigh how you think through competing priorities as much as the final recommendation you give.
Target structured government relations programs early
Larger employers, advocacy organizations, and government agencies run cohort-based government relations internship programs, including Capitol Hill semester programs and public affairs rotational tracks, designed specifically for people new to the field. These programs recruit early and fill in the first application wave, so identify the ones that fit your background and apply immediately when they open.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 17% of the government relations specialist internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you begin sorting through listings, then filter by location and work type so you spend your time on roles you can actually accept.
Government Relations Specialist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a government relations specialist internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A concrete policy memo, legislative brief, or advocacy campaign case study gives recruiters something to assess directly. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters for structured cohort programs often move faster when they meet students in person.
Can a government relations specialist internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for government relations specialist interns is consistent performance on real policy or advocacy work, available headcount on the team, and understanding the employer's return-offer timeline early. Position for it by delivering quality work without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for government relations specialist internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers and trade associations recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before the new year. Smaller organizations, nonprofits, and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings consistently, rather than waiting for a single season, keeps you ahead of each wave.
Are government relations specialist internships paid?
Most professional government relations specialist internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by employer size, industry, and location, and listings show pay where the employer chooses to disclose it. Nonprofit and government-agency internships occasionally offer stipends rather than hourly wages, so review each listing individually.
What should a government relations specialist internship resume include?
Lead with two or three documented projects, not work history: a legislative analysis, a stakeholder communication plan, or a regulatory comment you drafted, noting the tools used and linking to the work where it's publicly available. Add relevant coursework in public policy, political science, or communications. Keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote government relations specialist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 83% of the government relations specialist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly once posted, so apply early and use the work-type filter to surface them without sorting through roles that don't fit your situation.
What is a Congressional or legislative affairs internship, and how does it differ from a corporate government relations internship?
Congressional and legislative affairs internships place you inside a lawmaker's office, committee, or agency, focusing on constituent work, hearing preparation, and bill tracking. Corporate government relations internships embed you in a company's public affairs team, working on lobbying strategy and regulatory monitoring. Both are competitive, recruit early, and strengthen a government relations career, so apply in the first wave for either.
Can international students get government relations specialist internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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