Public Affairs Consultant Internships
Public affairs consultant internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience in policy research, stakeholder communications, and advocacy strategy, alongside mentorship from working public affairs consultants, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Energy, with STAND TOGETHER, Aon, and PSEG among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 14+ Public Affairs Consultant Internships
Date: Nov 11, 2026
Location: Cragwood, NJ, US, 07080
Company: PSEG
Requisition: 84532
PSEG Company: PSEG Services Corp
Salary Range: $ 38,100 - $ 57,200
Work Location Category: Hybrid
We’re one of the country’s largest energy companies, with a vision of powering a future where people use energy more efficiently and it’s safer and delivered more reliably than ever. We’re also deeply connected to the communities we serve, with more than 13,000 employees working together to support our customers and make a difference every day.
Here, you’ll have the stability and exciting opportunities that come with being a Fortune 500 company — along with a supportive, friendly work environment where your contributions are valued.
- Onsite: Employees work onsite daily.
- Hybrid: A blend of remote and onsite work, with at least three onsite days per week required.
As an employee, if you are regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week, you will have access to a wide range of comprehensive benefits from day one, designed to support your total well-being: medical, dental, vision, parental leave and family leave programs, behavioral health programs, 401(k) with company match, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, and generous paid time off.
More than 13,000 people already call PSEG their work home, taking pride in providing safe, reliable service to millions of customers. If you’re looking for a place where you can build a meaningful career and help power and support our communities, we’d love to welcome you to the team.
PSEG is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.
Job Summary
PSEG is looking for Summer 2027 Staff Intern for Public Affairs
This job involves working with Construction Project Public Affairs to proactively communicate electric transmission and gas construction updates to residents and businesses throughout the service territory.
This position will be Hybrid
Job Responsibilities
Assignments will include working alongside professionals in the following areas:
• Supporting field outreach by canvassing construction outreach materials
• Attending project and contractor meetings, site visits and customer meetings
• Updating the gas construction and electric reliability websites
Job Specific Qualifications
The successful candidate(s) must be actively pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution in Business, Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs and graduating between December 2027 and May 2030. Students graduating in May/June 2027 are not eligible unless they are enrolling in a post-graduate degree program in the fall term of 2027. PSEG recognizes institutions of higher education which are accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or equivalent. Candidates must have completed sophomore level course work for consideration.
Because this position will require traveling to various PSEG locations, a valid driver's license, safe driving record and use of your own vehicle is required.
Desired:
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with the public and provide clear accurate information
• Experience communicating with customer or stakeholders in person and over the phone
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and message consistency
All PSEG internship roles are paid at an hourly rate, however there are no medical benefits associated with these positions. Candidates are expected to work 40 hours per week over the duration of the summer internship. We are targeting currently enrolled/matriculating students that are able to commute to their designated work location as needed. Housing, transportation, and immigration support will not be provided in association with these positions.
Some positions at PSEG require access to information covered by the Department of Energy’s regulation 10 CFR 810 (Part 810). If applicable, the successful applicant must prove they are: (1) a citizen or national of the USA; OR (2) a lawful permanent resident of the United States (Non-Conditional Permanent I-551 / Green Card / Permanent Resident Card holder); OR (3) a citizen, national, or permanent resident of a “Generally Authorized” destination on the attached list not also a citizen, national, permanent resident of any country not listed; OR (4) a “Protected Individual” under the Immigration and Naturalization Act (8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3)).
As an employee of PSEG, you should be aware that during emergency restoration efforts, you may be required to perform functions outside of your routine duties and on a schedule that may be different from normal operations.
For all roles, PSEG’s drug and alcohol testing program includes pre-employment testing, testing for cause, and post-incident/accident testing.
Employees who are hired or transfer into a federally regulated role (including positions covered by USDOT, PHMSA, or NRC regulations) are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, inclusive of marijuana. Although numerous states throughout the country have legalized marijuana/cannabis products recreationally and medically, the use of these products are prohibited for employees in federally regulated roles. Please note that the use of CBD products may result in a positive drug test for THC/Marijuana and such use is not a legitimate medical explanation for a positive result.
If you are a current PSEG Long Island (PSEGLI) employee and offered an opportunity with PSEG or any of its subsidiaries other than PSEGLI, you will be treated as a new hire. Please note that as a new hire to PSEG, your benefits will change and generally will be consistent with other similarly situated PSEG new hires. Similarly, for PSEG employees who accept job opportunities with PSEGLI, your benefits will change and generally be consistent with other similarly situated new hires of PSEGLI.
PSEG is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment, including the hiring process, based on any legally protected characteristic. Legally protected characteristics include race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in locations where PSEG employs individuals.
PSEG is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance applying for a position, please call 973-430-3845 or email accommodations@pseg.com.
If you need to request a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job, email accommodations@pseg.com. Any information provided regarding a disability will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared with anyone involved in making a hiring decision.
ADDITIONAL EEO INFORMATION (Click link below)
Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Nearest Major Market: New York City
Nearest Secondary Market: Newark
Job Segment: Summer Internship, Intern, Entry Level
Date: Nov 11, 2026
Location: Cragwood, NJ, US, 07080
Company: PSEG
Requisition: 84532
PSEG Company: PSEG Services Corp
Salary Range: $ 38,100 - $ 57,200
Work Location Category: Hybrid
We’re one of the country’s largest energy companies, with a vision of powering a future where people use energy more efficiently and it’s safer and delivered more reliably than ever. We’re also deeply connected to the communities we serve, with more than 13,000 employees working together to support our customers and make a difference every day.
Here, you’ll have the stability and exciting opportunities that come with being a Fortune 500 company — along with a supportive, friendly work environment where your contributions are valued.
- Onsite: Employees work onsite daily.
- Hybrid: A blend of remote and onsite work, with at least three onsite days per week required.
As an employee, if you are regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week, you will have access to a wide range of comprehensive benefits from day one, designed to support your total well-being: medical, dental, vision, parental leave and family leave programs, behavioral health programs, 401(k) with company match, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, and generous paid time off.
More than 13,000 people already call PSEG their work home, taking pride in providing safe, reliable service to millions of customers. If you’re looking for a place where you can build a meaningful career and help power and support our communities, we’d love to welcome you to the team.
PSEG is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.
Job Summary
PSEG is looking for Summer 2027 Staff Intern for Public Affairs
This job involves working with Construction Project Public Affairs to proactively communicate electric transmission and gas construction updates to residents and businesses throughout the service territory.
This position will be Hybrid
Job Responsibilities
Assignments will include working alongside professionals in the following areas:
• Supporting field outreach by canvassing construction outreach materials
• Attending project and contractor meetings, site visits and customer meetings
• Updating the gas construction and electric reliability websites
Job Specific Qualifications
The successful candidate(s) must be actively pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution in Business, Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs and graduating between December 2027 and May 2030. Students graduating in May/June 2027 are not eligible unless they are enrolling in a post-graduate degree program in the fall term of 2027. PSEG recognizes institutions of higher education which are accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or equivalent. Candidates must have completed sophomore level course work for consideration.
Because this position will require traveling to various PSEG locations, a valid driver's license, safe driving record and use of your own vehicle is required.
Desired:
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with the public and provide clear accurate information
• Experience communicating with customer or stakeholders in person and over the phone
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and message consistency
All PSEG internship roles are paid at an hourly rate, however there are no medical benefits associated with these positions. Candidates are expected to work 40 hours per week over the duration of the summer internship. We are targeting currently enrolled/matriculating students that are able to commute to their designated work location as needed. Housing, transportation, and immigration support will not be provided in association with these positions.
Some positions at PSEG require access to information covered by the Department of Energy’s regulation 10 CFR 810 (Part 810). If applicable, the successful applicant must prove they are: (1) a citizen or national of the USA; OR (2) a lawful permanent resident of the United States (Non-Conditional Permanent I-551 / Green Card / Permanent Resident Card holder); OR (3) a citizen, national, or permanent resident of a “Generally Authorized” destination on the attached list not also a citizen, national, permanent resident of any country not listed; OR (4) a “Protected Individual” under the Immigration and Naturalization Act (8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3)).
As an employee of PSEG, you should be aware that during emergency restoration efforts, you may be required to perform functions outside of your routine duties and on a schedule that may be different from normal operations.
For all roles, PSEG’s drug and alcohol testing program includes pre-employment testing, testing for cause, and post-incident/accident testing.
Employees who are hired or transfer into a federally regulated role (including positions covered by USDOT, PHMSA, or NRC regulations) are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, inclusive of marijuana. Although numerous states throughout the country have legalized marijuana/cannabis products recreationally and medically, the use of these products are prohibited for employees in federally regulated roles. Please note that the use of CBD products may result in a positive drug test for THC/Marijuana and such use is not a legitimate medical explanation for a positive result.
If you are a current PSEG Long Island (PSEGLI) employee and offered an opportunity with PSEG or any of its subsidiaries other than PSEGLI, you will be treated as a new hire. Please note that as a new hire to PSEG, your benefits will change and generally will be consistent with other similarly situated PSEG new hires. Similarly, for PSEG employees who accept job opportunities with PSEGLI, your benefits will change and generally be consistent with other similarly situated new hires of PSEGLI.
PSEG is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment, including the hiring process, based on any legally protected characteristic. Legally protected characteristics include race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in locations where PSEG employs individuals.
PSEG is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance applying for a position, please call 973-430-3845 or email accommodations@pseg.com.
If you need to request a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job, email accommodations@pseg.com. Any information provided regarding a disability will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared with anyone involved in making a hiring decision.
ADDITIONAL EEO INFORMATION (Click link below)
Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Nearest Major Market: New York City
Nearest Secondary Market: Newark
Job Segment: Summer Internship, Intern, Entry Level
Public Affairs Consultant Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
Tips for Your Public Affairs Consultant Internship Search
Apply months before the role starts
Large consulting firms and government affairs practices open summer internship applications the preceding fall. Smaller organizations and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so new openings appear throughout the year. Setting a recurring search rather than a one-time check keeps you in front of deadlines before cohorts fill.
Build evidence before you have a resume
Hiring teams for public affairs consultant internships expect limited work history. What moves your application forward is documented project work: a policy memo, a stakeholder communications plan, an advocacy brief, or a published opinion piece. Name the tools you used and link to the work where it's publicly available.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often 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 beyond what any single fair covers.
Practice the actual public affairs consultant intern screen
Public affairs consultant intern interviews typically include a policy or communications case, where you are given a stakeholder scenario or advocacy challenge and asked to reason through a response out loud. Practice explaining your reasoning step by step, not just reaching a conclusion, since interviewers weigh how you think as much as the answer itself.
Target structured rotational programs early
Larger consulting firms, federal agencies, and national advocacy organizations run cohort or rotational internship programs built to train people new to public affairs. These programs recruit earlier than individual team hires and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your interests and get applications in during the first recruitment window.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 0% of the public affairs consultant internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting, then filter by location and work type so you are only spending time on roles you can actually accept.
Public Affairs Consultant Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a public affairs consultant internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For public affairs consultant candidates, the concrete artifact recruiters want to assess is a policy memo, advocacy brief, or communications campaign you built yourself. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a public affairs consultant internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For public affairs consultant interns, what actually drives it is performance on real client or policy work, available headcount on the team, and understanding when return-offer decisions are made. Position yourself by contributing visibly on deliverables without counting on a standing offer.
When should I apply for public affairs consultant internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers, including government affairs practices and major consulting firms, recruit summer interns the preceding fall. Smaller companies, nonprofits, and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single season keeps you ahead of rolling deadlines.
Are public affairs consultant internships paid?
Most professional public affairs consultant internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, it appears directly in the listing, so filtering for roles that show compensation details is a practical first step if that matters to your decision.
What should a public affairs consultant internship resume include?
Lead with two or three complete, documented projects rather than work history. For public affairs consultant candidates, the role-specific proof recruiters want to see includes policy memos, stakeholder mapping exercises, advocacy campaign case studies, or published op-eds, with the tools and methods you used clearly named. Add relevant coursework, keep the whole document to one page, and link to any publicly available work samples.
Are there remote public affairs consultant internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 100% of the public affairs consultant internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to surface them before seats close.
What is a public affairs rotational internship program?
Some larger consulting firms, government agencies, and advocacy organizations run structured rotational internship programs that move participants across policy, communications, and government relations teams over one or two terms. These programs are designed for people new to the field, recruit several months before the placement starts, and are competitive, so identifying them early and applying in the first wave matters.
Can international students get public affairs consultant 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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