What specific opportunities for intern placement will be available during the 2021 Florida Legislative Session?
This list is not comprehensive and additional opportunities may be added as they become available.
- Office of State Senator Aaron Bean
- Office of State Senator Manny Diaz
- Office of State Representative Randy Fine
- Office of State Senator Keith Perry
- Office of State Representative Tina Polsky
- Office of State Senator José Javier RodrÃguez
- Healthcare and healthcare policy – one internship devoted to a healthcare related topic is available based on the professional and academic goals of the applicant.
What impact will Covid-19 have on the Tallahassee Internship?
All placements will be in person, there will be no virtual internships.  Interns who work in Tallahassee may be required to wear a mask, depending on the rules of their specific office. Further details will be shared during the orientation part of the internship.
What majors should apply to the Tallahassee Internship Program?
Students from any academic major are encouraged to apply. Past participants come from a wide range of majors and disciplines, including animal science, anthropology, business administration, Chinese, classics, criminology, economics, English, environmental science, finance, food and resource economics, family youth & community services, history, journalism, management, marketing, philosophy, political science, and public relations.
What does a typical day look like?
Your job duties may include attending hearings (virtual or in person), preparing briefing books, giving tours of the capitol, and supporting special projects and events. Interns also have the chance to attend events and other professional development seminars throughout the work day and some evenings.
What classes will I take while in Tallahassee?
All students are required to take at least 6 credit hours while in Tallahassee. We work with students who need more than 6 hours to ensure that they can keep their scholarships or Bright Futures. Student must enroll in IDS 4930 – Florida Politics (3 credits) and for 3 internship credits. You can take internship credit through your major, political science, the Interdisciplinary Studies Program or Honors (you do not need to be in the Honors Program to sign up for IDH 4940 but they do require a 3.0 to apply for Honors internship credit).
We will help you register for the following courses:
- IDS 4930 Florida Politics – 3 credits
- IDS 4940 Internship – 3 credits
To reach 12 hours we ask our students to take an online course or correspondence course through UF. We have in the past had students take courses at FSU or FAMU and this can be arranged if necessary. That said, we do not encourage this as you must work full-time at your internship.
How does the internship placement work?
If you are selected as a participant in the program we will work with you to find a suitable placement. Students are placed based on individual professional and academic goals, as well as what type of experience they would like to have in Tallahassee. Students are encouraged to research legislative offices, lobbyist firms and government departments in order to suggest possibilities to our team.
The Bob Graham Center works directly with offices in Tallahassee to match interns based on applicant preferences and the needs of the office. Interns will be notified of their placements after their acceptance, but prior to the orientation period.
Where will I live?
If the internship is in person, students will live in furnished apartments and UF will pay your rent and utilities (electric, cable and internet). In 2020, interns lived at Evergreen Apartments. If your internship is virtual in nature, no additional housing allowance will be provided.Â
Will I receive an individual stipend to live in Tallahassee?
Yes, participants receive a small stipend to offset the cost of living in Tallahassee.