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University of Florida Washington D.C. Internship Program

Internships Home || Washington DC Internship || 2024 Washington, DC Interns

The application period for the next cohort of the Bob Graham Center Washington, DC Internship Program is now open. The priority deadline closes September 15, 2024 at 11:59 pm. Candidate applications received by that date will receive priority.

This is an in-person internship and requires a time commitment of 40 hours per week.

For your convenience, please download a copy of the application to familiarize yourself with its components before you begin completing it.

Recorded Virtual Information Session

Watch the recording.

watch the recording of the info session

 

Drop-In Advising Q&A

In addition to the scheduled info session, Dr. Kevin Bird is holding remote drop-in office hours for one-on-one advising on your application. Take advantage of this opportunity to get personalized guidance and answers to your questions.

Join the Zoom || Thurs., Sept. 12, 3-4:30 pm

About the Internship

The University of Florida Bob Graham Center for Public Service and UF Federal Relations are pleased to sponsor public service internships for undergraduate UF students with Florida Congressional and Senate offices in Washington, D.C. during the 2025 Spring semester.

In recent semesters, UF students have served in a range of Republican and Democrat offices including:

  • US Senator Marco Rubio (R)
  • US Senator Rick Scott (R)
  • Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL-4)
  • Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12)
  • Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-3)
  • Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20)
  • Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22)
  • Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL-15)
  • Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13)
  • Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25)
  • Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL-6)
  • Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24)

Interns play a key role in maintaining smooth office operations by handling front-line constituent relations, supporting communications, and managing essential administrative tasks.

Additional duties may involve attending hearings, drafting reports and legislative updates, taking on special projects aligned with the student’s interests and skills, and assisting with event planning and staffing.

This is an in-person internship and requires a time commitment of 40 hours per week.

All currently enrolled undergraduate academic majors are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be hardworking, eager to learn, open to constructive feedback, and demonstrate professional qualities such as attention to detail, initiative, and a strong passion for civic engagement, public service, policy, and politics.

A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required for this internship. Preference will be given to Junior and Senior standing students with at least one semester completed at UF.

A review of candidates will begin with applications turned in by 11:59 pm on Sunday, September 15, 2024, receiving priority, and will continue based on factors including  residency in the above-mentioned districts.

Selection factors also include academic performance, professional experience, and stated policy interests.

Selected interns are provided housing in Washington, D.C. and a cost of living scholarship to help support their experience.

If you are interested in working for a district office before applying to the Washington D.C. Internship programs, or have any additional questions, please email Dr. Kevin Bird, Bob Graham Center for Public Service at kevin.bird@ufl.edu, (352) 273-1077.

Timeline

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 — Applications open.  Apply at this link.

Thursday, 4 p.m. September 5, 2024 — Virtual Information Session. Sign up now.

Sunday, September 15, 11:59 pm — Priority deadline closes.

Monday, September 16 2024 — Review of applications begins; application may remain open if needed to fill all positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Qualifications

This position is open to any currently enrolled University of Florida undergraduate student in good standing, with a demonstrated interest in public service, public policy, law, or government affairs. All academic majors are encouraged to apply. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required to apply.

It is essential that applicants to this position have excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. Successful candidates will be energetic team players, as well as self-starters, and able to juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously.

Key Details

Internships are full-time (40 hours/week) with specific working hours determined with your placement office.

In cases where the legislative office does not provide interns with a stipend, the Bob Graham Center for Public Service will provide selected interns a modest cost of living scholarship up to $2000 (dependent on the student’s financial need) for Fall and Spring semesters.

The Graham Center and UF Federal Relations provide furnished housing assistance (rent and utilities) to students who are selected to participate in the program.

Selected interns must enroll in 0-9 credits of IDS4940, and an equivalent course in their own department. The amount of credit hours and registration will be discussed with the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

Throughout the semester interns will meet weekly with the Federal Relations Team. In addition, interns will be provided opportunities for professional development and networking throughout their time in the nation’s capital.


Internships Home || Washington DC Internship || 2024 Washington, DC Interns