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 Orchestra, Amazon, and The Recording Academy among the employers posting roles now.
Find Public Policy Manager InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Public Policy Manager Internships
INTERNSHIP DETAILS
FALL INTERNSHIP
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS: 7/31/2026
FALL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DATES: 9/8/2026 – 12/11/2026
*The Advocacy & Public Policy Intern position pays county/state minimum wage rates, based on work location.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
The Recording Academy Advocacy & Public Policy team is seeking a “rock star” student for a fall 2026 Internship with our team.
Celebrating music through the GRAMMY® Awards, The Recording Academy continues its legacy as the premier national organization for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. As a membership organization, we represent the most talented music professionals in the world. Our members include recording artists, producers, engineers, attorneys, music supervisors, composers/arrangers, managers, agents, social media and record label executives and many others.
Our paid Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for full-time college students (juniors or seniors) to gain on-site training in office administration, advocacy, and public policy, in exchange for college credit. Candidates should be energetic, hard- working and have aspirations of a career in the music industry.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Internship duration is for a semester ( 12 weeks or equivalent).
Hours are part-time (20-24 hours a week).
Intern will work both remotely and in the office during regular business hours.
Intern will require personal laptop.
Projects will include assisting with the Academy’s grassroots advocacy initiatives, outreach to congressional offices, legislative research, database management, and administrative office support.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Students must be currently enrolled in a College/University for an Undergraduate or Graduate program.
One year of course work towards degree in related field is preferred.
Letter from school stating that intern will receive college credit for the Recording Academy internship program.
Display an interest in music and/or government and advocacy work.
Possess strong verbal, written and analytical skills.
Exhibit proficient computer skills and social media proficiency .
Be a sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR CERTAIN ROLES:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit for long periods of time, and work at a computer for long periods of time. The employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY AND ITS AFFILIATES
RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards—music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.
GRAMMY MUSEUM
Established in 2008 as a partnership between the Recording Academy and AEG, the GRAMMY Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating a greater understanding of the history and significance of music. Paying tribute to our collective musical heritage, the Museum explores and celebrates all aspects of the art form—from the technology of the recording process to the legends who've made lasting marks on our cultural identity. In 2017, the Museum integrated with its sister organization, the GRAMMY Foundation, to broaden the reach of its music education and preservation initiatives. As a unified organization, today, the GRAMMY Museum fulfills its mission of making music a valued and indelible part of our society through exhibits, education, grants, and public programming.
MUSICARES
A friend and ally of the music community, MusiCares was established by the Recording Academy to safeguard the health and well-being of all music people. A four-star charity and safety net in times of need, MusiCares offers confidential preventative, recovery, and emergency programs to address financial, medical, and personal health issues. Through the generosity of our donors and volunteer professionals, our dedicated team works across the country to ensure the music community has the resources and support it needs.
LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY
The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community either directly or through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation ® .
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The Recording Academy, its affiliates and the music industry have a strong culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. The Recording Academy makes intentional, courageous and principled decisions for stronger business outcomes and ensures that all creators and professionals live and work in a fair and safe environment. It is the Recording Academy’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Recording Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race (nor traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Recording Academy will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to the Recording Academy . This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection , job assignment, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training, recruitment, hiring, transfer, and social and recreational programs.
INTERNSHIP DETAILS
FALL INTERNSHIP
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS: 7/31/2026
FALL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DATES: 9/8/2026 – 12/11/2026
*The Advocacy & Public Policy Intern position pays county/state minimum wage rates, based on work location.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
The Recording Academy Advocacy & Public Policy team is seeking a “rock star” student for a fall 2026 Internship with our team.
Celebrating music through the GRAMMY® Awards, The Recording Academy continues its legacy as the premier national organization for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. As a membership organization, we represent the most talented music professionals in the world. Our members include recording artists, producers, engineers, attorneys, music supervisors, composers/arrangers, managers, agents, social media and record label executives and many others.
Our paid Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for full-time college students (juniors or seniors) to gain on-site training in office administration, advocacy, and public policy, in exchange for college credit. Candidates should be energetic, hard- working and have aspirations of a career in the music industry.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Internship duration is for a semester ( 12 weeks or equivalent).
Hours are part-time (20-24 hours a week).
Intern will work both remotely and in the office during regular business hours.
Intern will require personal laptop.
Projects will include assisting with the Academy’s grassroots advocacy initiatives, outreach to congressional offices, legislative research, database management, and administrative office support.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Students must be currently enrolled in a College/University for an Undergraduate or Graduate program.
One year of course work towards degree in related field is preferred.
Letter from school stating that intern will receive college credit for the Recording Academy internship program.
Display an interest in music and/or government and advocacy work.
Possess strong verbal, written and analytical skills.
Exhibit proficient computer skills and social media proficiency .
Be a sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR CERTAIN ROLES:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit for long periods of time, and work at a computer for long periods of time. The employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY AND ITS AFFILIATES
RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards—music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.
GRAMMY MUSEUM
Established in 2008 as a partnership between the Recording Academy and AEG, the GRAMMY Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating a greater understanding of the history and significance of music. Paying tribute to our collective musical heritage, the Museum explores and celebrates all aspects of the art form—from the technology of the recording process to the legends who've made lasting marks on our cultural identity. In 2017, the Museum integrated with its sister organization, the GRAMMY Foundation, to broaden the reach of its music education and preservation initiatives. As a unified organization, today, the GRAMMY Museum fulfills its mission of making music a valued and indelible part of our society through exhibits, education, grants, and public programming.
MUSICARES
A friend and ally of the music community, MusiCares was established by the Recording Academy to safeguard the health and well-being of all music people. A four-star charity and safety net in times of need, MusiCares offers confidential preventative, recovery, and emergency programs to address financial, medical, and personal health issues. Through the generosity of our donors and volunteer professionals, our dedicated team works across the country to ensure the music community has the resources and support it needs.
LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY
The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community either directly or through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation ® .
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The Recording Academy, its affiliates and the music industry have a strong culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. The Recording Academy makes intentional, courageous and principled decisions for stronger business outcomes and ensures that all creators and professionals live and work in a fair and safe environment. It is the Recording Academy’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Recording Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race (nor traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Recording Academy will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to the Recording Academy . This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection , job assignment, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training, recruitment, hiring, transfer, and social and recreational programs.
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 25% 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 75% 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 7 Public Policy Manager Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Public Policy Manager Internships