Public Policy Manager Internships
Public policy manager internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working policy practitioners, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Roles cover {{top_industries_phrase}}, with STAND TOGETHER, Constellation Energy, and AKIN among the employers posting roles now.
Find Public Policy Manager InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 15+ Public Policy Manager Internships
Position Summary
Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Public Sector Policy, the Policy Intern will work on government contracting, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other issues that impact the ability of federal and state governments to buy and use information technology. This role is U.S.-facing and supports the advocacy activities of the Public Sector team.
Your responsibilities:
- Monitor regulatory, and policy developments in the United States pertaining to acquisition of technology
- Create and maintain internal tracking sheets for policy developments, and other data as necessary
- Assist in drafting inputs for fact sheets, position papers, letters, comments, and other written materials as assigned
- Work collaboratively with the Public Sector team and other teams within ITI to support ITI’s advocacy efforts
- Attend internal and external meetings on acquisition regulatory policy-related issues and produce readouts
- Help coordinate Public Sector team advocacy efforts and manage the implementation of strategic projects that the team is undertaking
- Your qualifications:
- Undergraduate student pursuing a degree in political science, public policy, international affairs/relations, business, or a related field
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely about complex technology and policy topics
- Strong academic record with a demonstrated interest and knowledge of public sector and technology policy issues
- Experience conducting research
- Self-starter that can independently handle tasks
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects, prioritize competing tasks, and meet deadlines
- Team player that possesses sound judgment and demonstrates professionalism
ITI is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Public Sector Policy, the Policy Intern will work on government contracting, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other issues that impact the ability of federal and state governments to buy and use information technology. This role is U.S.-facing and supports the advocacy activities of the Public Sector team.
Your responsibilities:
- Monitor regulatory, and policy developments in the United States pertaining to acquisition of technology
- Create and maintain internal tracking sheets for policy developments, and other data as necessary
- Assist in drafting inputs for fact sheets, position papers, letters, comments, and other written materials as assigned
- Work collaboratively with the Public Sector team and other teams within ITI to support ITI’s advocacy efforts
- Attend internal and external meetings on acquisition regulatory policy-related issues and produce readouts
- Help coordinate Public Sector team advocacy efforts and manage the implementation of strategic projects that the team is undertaking
- Your qualifications:
- Undergraduate student pursuing a degree in political science, public policy, international affairs/relations, business, or a related field
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely about complex technology and policy topics
- Strong academic record with a demonstrated interest and knowledge of public sector and technology policy issues
- Experience conducting research
- Self-starter that can independently handle tasks
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects, prioritize competing tasks, and meet deadlines
- Team player that possesses sound judgment and demonstrates professionalism
ITI is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Public Policy Manager Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Public Policy Manager Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large think tanks, government agencies, and policy-focused nonprofits recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before winter break. Smaller organizations and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Map your target employers early and set alerts so you apply in the first wave rather than after cohorts fill.
Build a policy portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for public policy manager internships expect limited work history, so give them something concrete to review. Document two or three research projects, published policy briefs, or advocacy case studies that show your analytical process, the tools you used, and the conclusion you reached. A linked, accessible portfolio separates your application from a plain transcript.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Career fairs surface structured internship programs tied specifically to your university, and professors or career center advisors often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to smaller organizations running their own cohorts at the same time, since those roles rarely appear through campus channels and fill on their own timeline.
Practice policy case conversations out loud
Public policy manager intern screens often involve a policy case or analytical exercise where interviewers weigh how you structure a problem as much as your final recommendation. Practice walking through a real policy question out loud, explaining your reasoning step by step, before your first interview. Recording yourself once reveals hesitations that practice alone doesn't catch.
Target structured policy fellowship programs early
Several large agencies and foundations run formal policy intern cohorts or fellowship pipelines designed specifically for people new to the field, including rotational and university-partner programs. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and offer structured mentorship that unstructured internships rarely match. Identify the ones relevant to your focus area and apply in the first round.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 0% of the public policy manager internships listed here. Decide what arrangement you can actually commit to before you start reviewing openings, then filter by location and work type from the start so you spend your time on roles you can take rather than sorting through ones you can't.
Public Policy Manager Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a public policy manager internship?
Lead with coursework, independent research projects, and a policy portfolio rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A portfolio of published policy briefs, case studies, or documented advocacy projects gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a public policy manager internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for public policy manager interns is performance on real deliverables, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest before the return-offer decision window closes. Treat the internship as an extended interview and do strong work without counting on an offer.
When should I apply for public policy manager internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large government agencies, think tanks, and major employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller organizations and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking regularly and applying as soon as a role fits your background puts you ahead of most applicants.
Are public policy manager internships paid?
Most professional public policy manager internships in the United States are paid, though compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Some government and nonprofit roles offer stipends rather than hourly pay. Listings show compensation where the employer discloses it, so you can compare opportunities as you apply.
What should a public policy manager internship resume include?
Lead with two or three complete, documented projects rather than work history: name the specific tools you used, the policy question you addressed, and link to published briefs, case studies, or research analyses where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework in public policy, political science, economics, or law. Keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote public policy manager internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 100% of the public policy manager internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants from across the country, so apply early once you decide what arrangement fits your situation and filter by work type to see those roles immediately.
Can international students get public policy manager 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.
See All 15 Public Policy Manager Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Public Policy Manager Internships