Why an Internship?

Internships are a great way to find out what the “real world” is all about.  The department strongly encourages such experiences and will work closely with you to identify and secure an internship.  If at all possible, internships should be taken for academic credit.

Internships are available in numerous settings throughout the metro area, including the Minnesota state legislature, law and judicial offices, political campaigns, the offices of elected officials, many non-governmental organizations, and numerous public agencies. 

While any sort of internship can be a valuable experience, the department encourages academic internships, that is, an internship that gives you both a professional experience AND academic credit. 

I had no idea what kind of work was being done in a Senate office, but now I understand the basics of what happens.  From learning government processes to staffing events, I could not be more pleased with my semester in the Senator’s office.

--UST Political Science graduate Brian Garshelis on his internship in the office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Following his Spring 2008 internship, Brian was hired as a staff assistant in the Senator’s office.