State Representative Ana Hernandez with the fall 2009 CHIP Interns
Check out the Spring 2012 CHIP Interns
The Hobby Center for Public Policy's Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP) 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 800 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 Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP) 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.
Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Fall 2012 Civic Houston Internship class meetings:
1pm - 4pm, room and building TBA.
Still Have Questions about CHIP? Learn more by attending an Information Session (see dates below). Contact Maggie Manzano at mmanzano@central.uh.edu or call 713 743 4804 to RSVP.
CHIP Information Session Dates (all scheduled at 1:00 pm):
Friday, May 25
Wednesday, June 13
Thursday, July 19
CHIP 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.
Download the application for the fall 2012 program. The application must be typed (handwritten applications will not be accepted), and is downloadable in Word. Please note that the application process is not complete until you submit all application materials, attend an information session, and schedule an interview with the instructor. Early acceptance deadline is June 1, 2012.
UH Students: All registration questions should be directed to the political science academic advisors.
UH-Downtown Students: Registration questions should be directed to Dr. David Branham.
General questions about the Civic Houston Internship Program may be directed to Maggie Manzano at mmanzano@uh.edu or 713 743 4804.
Meet the Spring 2012 CHIP Interns!
Check out previous CHIP participants
Council Member Jarvis Johnson meets with the spring 2007 interns at City Hall.
CHIP Intern Maria Ivañez Featured in Houston PetTalk Magazine
Maria Ivañez, a political science student at the University of Houston is the first CHIP intern to volunteer with Barrio Dogs, a non-profit organization in Houston with an emphasis on educating and raising awareness on proper animal care in the low-income communities. Read more about Maria and Barrio Dogs featured in the December 2011 issue of Houston PetTalk Magazine.
Voter Participation & Community Outreach. UH & UHD Students are Involved...Are You?
As a service learning project for the fall 2011 semester, Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP) interns are focusing on voter participation as a project. Various CHIP interns are volunteering their time on voter participation projects and get out the vote efforts on campus or in the community. Find out more.
Internships: Still sought-after credential for college graduates
Houston Chronicle, May 14, 2010
As the economy continues to turn around, new internships will be starting up because there is an accelerating need for trained candidates. The more time invested in searching for internships, the more you will find. Continue you reading the full article.
Hobby Center for Public Policy Interns Make Sure Houston Counts
Students with the University of Houston Hobby Center for Public Policy (HCPP)
CHIP internship worked on education projects concerning "Census 2010," the awareness
campaign of the U.S. Census Bureau, as part of their curriculum during the
Spring 2010 semester.
Read the full
media release.
Public Service Applicants On the Rise
A recent Houston Chronicle article reports an increase in applicants who
are joining the public service labor force. Read the full article
"Recession Brings Boom In Public Service Work" and find out how some college
graduates and current professionals are making the switch to volunteering and
why.
To honor Dr. Richard Murray's service to the Houston
community and 40 years of teaching and research at the University of Houston, the
Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship has been established. All political science undergraduates are encouraged to apply.
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:
