Navigating Internship Opportunities: A Guide to the Enron Program and Department of Labor (DOL) Internships

Internships offer invaluable experience, providing students and aspiring professionals with hands-on learning and networking opportunities. This article explores the Enron program and internship opportunities within the Department of Labor (DOL), outlining requirements, available positions, and application processes.

The Enron Program

The Enron program provides an opportunity for individuals who are selected and qualify to participate in an exciting group effort to innovate and help Enron grow. The Program includes such features as an interactive online discord amongst members, along with the opportunity to creatively perform and assist in Enron’s re-launch. To be clear, this is not a job offer, an opportunity to earn compensation, nor your classic “internship” with the hopes of getting a job. It is, however, a lot of fun, and gives you the opportunity to contribute.

Key Aspects of the Enron Program

Innovative Group Effort: Participants engage in collaborative projects aimed at innovation and contributing to Enron's growth.
Interactive Online Community: A dedicated online Discord server facilitates communication and collaboration among members.
Creative Performance Opportunities: Members have the chance to creatively perform and assist in Enron's re-launch.
Not a Traditional Internship: The program is not a job offer, a compensated position, or a traditional internship with the expectation of future employment.

Department of Labor (DOL) Internship Opportunities

The Department of Labor (DOL) offers various internship opportunities, particularly within the Solicitor's Office (SOL). These internships provide law students with practical legal experience and exposure to the workings of a federal agency.

The Role of the Solicitor's Office (SOL)

The Office of the Solicitor (SOL) serves as the legal arm of the Department of Labor. As the Secretary of Labor and other Department officials seek to accomplish the Department's overall mission and further specific priorities, SOL provides legal advice regarding how to achieve those goals. In doing so, SOL ensures the nation's labor laws are forcefully and fairly applied and enforced to protect the Nation's workers.

Legal Advice and Guidance: SOL provides legal counsel to DOL agencies on regulations, legislative initiatives, and various legal matters.
Litigation: SOL attorneys are involved in litigation in federal courts and before administrative law judges.
Enforcement: SOL ensures the fair and forceful application and enforcement of the nation's labor laws.

SOL Internship Program Overview

SOL's National Office divisions as well as Regional and Branch Offices often accept current law students for internships and externships. SOL provides internship/externship opportunities for those participating in designated hiring authorities, such as the Pathways Program, as well as those receiving stipends or academic credit. Interested applicants should reach out to the individual SOL Division or Regional Offices to find out more information about currently available opportunities. Opportunities under the Pathways Program or other hiring authorities are posted on USAJOBS. As a legal intern, you will perform a variety of legal assistance responsibilities including significant legal research and writing related to advice, litigation and/or rule-making projects for client agencies; and analyzing the legal impact of legislative developments, administrative and court decisions, rulings and opinions on Departmental programs. Interns may also attend meetings with DOL client agencies, other SOL divisions, and other executive agencies, as appropriate.

Read also: Summer Internship at Enron

Eligibility: The Department of Labor requires all interns not hired through the Pathways Program to receive the equivalent of $15/hour in funding from an outside source (e.g., academic institution, public interest grant) or to earn academic credit. SOL offers internship opportunities for law students who are hired through the Pathways Programs, as well as those who receive stipends or academic credit. If you are interested in Pathways Program Internships, those opportunities are posted on USAJOBs as they become available.
Responsibilities: As a legal intern, you will perform a variety of legal assistance responsibilities including significant legal research and writing related to advice, litigation and/or rule-making projects for client agencies; and analyzing the legal impact of legislative developments, administrative and court decisions, rulings and opinions on Departmental programs. Interns may also attend meetings with DOL client agencies, other SOL divisions, and other executive agencies, as appropriate.
Application Process: Interested applicants should reach out to the individual SOL Division or Regional Offices to find out more information about currently available opportunities. Opportunities under the Pathways Program or other hiring authorities are posted on USAJOBS.

SOL Divisions and Internship Focus Areas

SOL's National Office comprises several divisions, each with unique responsibilities and internship opportunities:

Black Lung and Longshore Legal Services: This division supports the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) in administering the Black Lung Benefits Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and its extensions. Interns work with attorneys on projects in all of these areas. Courts of Appeals, advise OWCP on legal issues that arise in administering the statutes, prepare regulations implementing the statutes, and enforce the payment of benefits by liable employers or their insurers.
- Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate has experience or a sincere interest in public service. Subject matter experience is not required. We look for research and writing skills, academic achievement, and a positive and collaborative work ethic.Applications for Summer 2025 are due Friday, January 31, 2025.
Civil Rights and Labor Management: In general, CRLM's client agencies administer and enforce a variety of civil rights, EEO, and labor laws. Duties will include significant legal research and writing in connection with advice, litigation and/or rulemaking projects for client agencies, such as drafting memoranda, analyses, and briefs, and may include attending meetings with the client agencies and other SOL divisions as appropriate.
- Ideal Candidate: Excellent research and writing skills; a demonstrated interest in civil rights, labor and employment issues; and a strong academic record. Students who can commit to a full-time schedule (35-40 hours/week) are preferred. Number of positions: Potentially up to three.
Employment and Training Legal Services: SOL's Division of Employment and Training Legal Services (ETLS) provides advice to a range of clients. Our summer law clerks will be primarily assisting the attorneys that provide legal advice to the Department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) and to the Department's Veteran's Employment and Training Service (VETS) staff administering the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), a Federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for uniformed Service members and their civilian employers. ETLS also provides legal advice to VETS with regards to employment and training programs. labor market.
- Ideal Candidate: Candidates must demonstrate strong research and writing abilities, and academic achievement. The type of assignments and work product will vary, but all involve legal research and analysis. A law clerk typically comes away with a writing sample as well, such as a draft memorandum of referral. In years past, law clerks have spent significant time analyzing foreign countries' laws for compliance with international child labor standards in connection with legal review of an annual report to Congress on the worst forms of child labor in over 100 of our trade partners and that is expected to be a focus of work this summer as well. Law clerks may also work on projects assisting attorneys in ETLS in analyzing other countries' compliance with international labor provisions and with their compliance with international labor standards. participation in international organizations, grants for projects on child labor and forced labor, and Congressionally mandated reports on the worst forms of child labor. For VETS, law clerks may work to research and analyze legal issues arising under USERRA related to veterans' protections against workplace discrimination and their reemployment rights, as well as in regards to issues related to VETS employment programs. Law clerks may also work on projects related to VETS employment programs and ETA programs as needed.
Management and Administrative Legal Services: During our previous internships, interns have prepared memos, drafted sections of briefs, and assisted with presentations. Learn about working in a legal office for a federal agency; Obtain real-world experience about the practice of law, particularly procurement and appropriations law; and Participate in meetings/shadow senior attorneys. In addition, many interns receive credit from their law schools for participating in the program, as well as obtaining HR-related benefits, as applicable.
- Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate has expressed interest in working for the public sector as well as experience or interest with federal procurement and/or appropriations law matters. We generally require a cover letter, resume, and a current transcript. We also consider students in their 2L or 3L years for school-year intern positions. We accept applications for summer internships from December 1 - January 31 and extend offers by mid-March (though usually sooner). We accept applications for fall-semester internships until the June 30 preceding the semester, and applications for spring-semester internships until the September 30 preceding the semester.
Mine Safety and Health: The MSH Division supports the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the agency that enforces the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (Mine Act). The Mine Act protects miners' safety and health at every mine in the United States. MSHA enforces the Mine Act by promulgating safety and health standards and regulations; investigating accidents, fatalities, and criminal violations; protecting whistleblowers; and inspecting mines. MSHA also does other safety- and health-related work, like providing grants, hosting mine rescue competitions, and certifying equipment to use in dangerous mine environments. Interns work with attorneys on projects in all of these areas. Projects could include: Analyzing legal questions and writing litigation memos Reviewing rulemaking and guidance documents before they are published Attending meetings and strategy sessions with MSHA Seeking injunctions or temporary restraining orders in federal district courts Trying cases before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission's Administrative Law Judges or Department of Labor's Administrative Law Judges, or in federal district court Writing appellate briefs and preparing attorneys for oral arguments before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission or the federal courts of appeals. Interns will also learn about the work of the Solicitor's Office and of federal agencies more generally.
Office of Legal Counsel: The Office has three major areas of responsibility. First, the Office plays a major role in the Department's legislative activities by analyzing legislation impacting the Department, helping prepare testimony presented by Departmental at congressional committee hearings, and drafting proposed legislation. Second, the Office manages the Department's ethics program by providing advice and training and by administering the financial disclosure requirements. Third, OLC provides legal advice on a number of areas relating to government organization and operations, most notably administrative law and procedure. Duties may include reviewing testimony and draft legislation, drafting legal advice about ethics-related matters, researching administrative law issues, and writing memos as appropriate. The intern will also participate in the SOL Summer Intern Program, which includes weekly meetings with guest speakers. The intern may also attend meetings with the SOL Front Office and other SOL divisions as appropriate. OLC also houses the SOL Honors Attorney program for entry-level attorneys, so the intern will have the opportunity to meet and interact with recent law school graduates. We expect this internship to be entirely virtual.
- Ideal Candidate: Candidates must demonstrate strong research and writing abilities, academic achievement, and an interest in a career in public service. Prior relevant courses or work experience preferred but not required. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to work well in a collaborative environment and an interest in Federal government service. We typically ask each intern for a minimum eight-week time commitment, although they are welcome to stay longer. We are currently accepting applications for Summer 2025. We will review applications on a rolling basis through November 1, 2024. Number of positions: We typically hire two interns for each summer.
Occupational Safety and Health: The Division of the Office of the Solicitor (SOL) provides legal services to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Courts of Appeals when they are challenged after promulgation. OSH attorneys advise OSHA on rulemakings and enforcement policy, and provide advice on novel, significant, and complex cases, including potential cases considered for referral to DOJ for criminal prosecution. In addition, OSH attorneys assist OSHA in administering the whistleblower protection provisions in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and several other worker protection statutes. The OSH Division also provides legal services in connection with state grants and state occupational safety and health plans submitted under Section 18(b) of the Act. Representative assignments may include: Assisting OSH Division attorneys in the research and writing of legal briefs to be filed with the US Court of Appeals and the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; Providing research, analysis and other appropriate support to a rulemaking team; Researching and preparing legal memoranda on a wide variety of topics covered by the OSH Division; Providing legal advice to SOL Regional Offices and OSHA on litigation and other OSHA enforcement matters; Shadowing OSH Division attorneys at meetings with OSHA to develop client counseling skills. OSH Division interns may assist in the production of a variety of written work products, such as portions of legal briefs, portions of Federal Register documents, and legal memoranda for other OSH Division attorneys and OSHA. In addition, interns will be asked to research discrete legal issues and present their conclusions orally to the assigning OSH Division attorney.
- Ideal Candidate: Applicants must be 2Ls at the time of their application and must expect to have completed their 2L year by the summer of their internship. Applicants must be students in good academic standing with strong writing, research, and analytic.

SOL Regional Offices

In addition to the National Office divisions, SOL has Regional Offices across the country that offer internship opportunities:

Arlington (VA)
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Philadelphia
Los Angeles
New York
San Francisco
Seattle

Gaining Practical Skills and Experience

OSH Division interns will gain practical research and writing skills that will prepare them for legal practice upon graduation from law school. Supervising attorneys routinely provide constructive feedback to interns on their written work product to further this goal. In addition, the OSH Division strives to give an intern experience in day-to-day legal practice including client interaction and time management skills. OSH Division interns will also leave their experience with an appreciation for how a Federal Agency operates, which will give them a significant perspective in determining whether to pursue a career in Federal service.

Additional Opportunities

Point Park University Accounting Scholarships

Accounting students at Point Park University may be interested in the Thomas J. Froehlich Accounting Scholarship and the Milton and Dr. Nancy Washington Scholarship.

Thomas J. Froehlich Accounting Scholarship: Purpose: to assist deserving students in accounting at Point Park who have demonstrated academic excellence, personal maturity, and career motivation exemplified by Mr. Thomas J. Froehlich, a representative of Touche Ross and Company, was a member of the audit team which performed the required audits for the federal financial aid programs at Point Park College.
Milton and Dr. Nancy Washington Scholarship: This scholarship has been established in recognition of Mr. Milton A. Dr. Nancy Washington, a former Point Park University trustee, and Mr. Milton Washington are community leaders who believe in the value of education.

Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships

Read also: Comprehensive Internship Guide

tags: #Enron #internship #program #requirements