Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman with the Fall 2004 Government Interns

Check out the Spring 2008 Government Interns

 

 

The Center for Public Policy's Government Internship Program offers government internships to University of Houston and University of Houston-Downtown students each fall and spring semester.  Since its inception, the program has placed over 500 interns in local political offices.  Judging by the feedback from participating offices, the program is a resounding success. Numerous students have had the opportunity to change their status as a part-time intern to a full-time paid staff member.

Program Information  The CPP Government Internship Program is open to University of Houston and University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) juniors and seniors, as well as post-baccalaureate students. Sophomores may apply as well but priority is given to upper level students.  All majors are welcome.  

The interns work an average of 8 hours per week over the 15-week semester in offices with elected officials at the municipal, county, state or federal levels.  Some interns are assigned to community service organizations and campaigns. The interns meet as a class four times during the semester.  Evaluation is based on a daily journal, a term paper, and an assessment by the office supervisor.  

The internship course counts as 3 hours of upper level political science credit for UH Central students, and as social science credit for UHD students.  Grades are based on a daily journal, a term paper, and an evaluation by an office supervisor.  Renee Cross is the program director and the instructor of record for the UH Central students. Dr. David Branham serves as the instructor for the UHD students. 

Check out the sample syllabus.

 

Application 

 

Approximately 40 internships are available each  semester, and the selection process has become increasingly competitive. Students with a 3.0 GPA and higher will be given priority in acceptance and assignment decisions.

The application must be typed (handwritten applications will not be accepted), and is downloadable in Word:

CPP Government Internship Application

 

Questions? 

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions

UH Students: General questions about the CPP Government Internship Program may be directed to Renee Cross.  All registration questions should be directed to the political science academic advisors.

UH-Downtown Students: General inquiries and registration questions should be directed to Dr. David Branham.

 

Meet the Spring 2008 Interns!

 

Check out previous participants

Spring 2007	Spring 2004	Spring 2001
Fall 2007	Fall 2004	Fall 2001
Spring 2006	Spring 2003	Spring 2000
Fall 2006	Fall 2003	Fall 2000
Spring 2005	Spring 2002
Fall 2005	Fall 2002

 

Council Member Jarvis Johnson meets with the spring 2007 interns at City Hall.

 

 

Government Interns

The Center for Public Policy's spring 2008 internship program had a record 54 interns working in Houston area offices. See who worked where.

 

 

 

   The Fall 2008 Government Internship Program's orientation is on Friday, August 29, 2008.

   Applications for the Fall 2008 Government Internship Award are due January 9, 2009.

 

 

Internships Increasingly Crucial to Success

As noted in the New York Times recently, internships are readily becoming mandatory for successful job seekers. Luckily for UH students, numerous internships are available – all offering academic credit and some providing benefits such as monthly stipends. Many former UH government interns have used their experience and new contacts as a way to get a jump-start on their chosen careers. Check out what former interns are now accomplishing.

 

 

 

Interested in working as a government intern in Austin or Washington D.C.?

Be sure to check out the following opportunities:

 

University of Houston Center for Public Policy  ▪  104 Heyne Building  ▪  Houston, Texas 77204-5021  ▪  t 713 743 3970  ▪  f 713 743 3978