Federal Government Internships: Pathways to Public Service

Federal government internships offer invaluable opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience, develop valuable skills, and explore potential career paths within public service. These programs serve as a bridge between academic learning and real-world application, providing interns with exposure to diverse fields and a chance to contribute to the nation's mission.

Pathways Programs: A Clear Route to Federal Service

The Pathways Programs are designed to provide clear routes to federal internships for students and to careers for recent graduates. They offer meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their federal service.

Internship Program

This program provides enrolled students with experience in the federal government. A Pathways internship offers eligibility for full-time conversion in any agency non-competitively and without submitting an application after successfully completing 640 hours. In contrast, a regular internship requires the intern to apply and compete with other candidates if they want to return to work at the same agency after finishing the internship. Regular internships are not necessarily paid. The agency has control over what kind of internships they want to promote.

Recent Graduate Program

The Recent Graduate Program is tailored for individuals who have recently received degrees or certificates from qualifying educational institutions or programs. It offers a dynamic, career development program with training and mentorship.

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program

Established in 1977, the Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) Program attracts outstanding individuals to the Federal service sector from a wide variety of academic disciplines. It is the Federal government’s premier leadership development program for individuals who have received a qualifying advanced degree within the preceding two years. Prime candidates for the PMF Program are those with a commitment to a career in government and interest in the analysis and management of public policies and programs. A webinar is available to learn how to submit a strong application; it features new fellows and PMF recruiters from various agencies.

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Diverse Opportunities Across Federal Agencies

Federal agencies offer a wide array of internship opportunities across various fields. Here are a few examples:

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internship Program

The FBI internship program provides students with hands-on experience in various aspects of law enforcement and intelligence. Interns work alongside special agents, task force officers, and professional staff, assisting with real cases and investigative work.

Experiences of FBI Interns:

Grace: "I’m getting to help on real cases, I’m doing real investigative work in conjunction with the special agents, the task force officers, the professional staff. And it’s been such an amazing opportunity to see the results of my efforts." She initially expected to perform mundane tasks but was surprised by the level of responsibility and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.
Joshua: "I’ve been working white-collar for this internship and it really applies to what I’ve been doing at school studying business. I’ve been working with bank statements, working with forensic accountants, and doing a lot of things actually that apply to my major and I’ve really been able to use what I learned at school and apply it here." He found the internship directly applicable to his business studies, allowing him to utilize his academic knowledge in a practical setting.
Laura: "I actually more specifically on the cyber squad usually work with our CART team, which is our Computer Analysis Response Team… So anytime there is a computer or tablet or phone involved in an investigation, CART goes out on the search warrants and seizes it and then they are trained in processing the evidence so that the case agents can review it and we can maintain a good chain of custody on it." She gained experience in digital forensics, working on diverse investigations ranging from gang activity to counter-terrorism.
Ashley: "My dad’s actually an FBI agent and he’s been an FBI agent my whole life. So I thought that I knew what the Bureau was, and I had a pretty good idea more than most of the interns. But what I did not expect was just how much of a family it feels like. Everyone is super welcoming and it’s not like any other workplace I’ve ever been in where you come in for your shift and then when you’re done, you’re done. It’s like the relationships in the Bureau are truly something to be marveled." She was surprised by the strong sense of community and the supportive work environment within the FBI.
Myisha: "The people here are amazing, you see them out in the field and you’re kind of like they are so strict and they are kind of intimidating, but once you get to know them they are actually really nice people. Because of the internship, I’ve learned so much. The FBI is kind of like this huge entity that is so mysterious, but no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors." She discovered the approachable nature of FBI personnel and gained insight into the inner workings of the Bureau.

The FBI internship experience can be transformative, influencing career paths and fostering a sense of belonging.

Laura: "I think the most fulfilling experience I’ve had is watching cases go from the very beginning to the very end. I had a couple search warrants that I was able to go on my first summer here that this summer I’ve been able to go to the sentencings and see the cases all the way through."
Joshua: "This experience has totally changed my perspective of what I saw my future as, I was dead set pre-med going into school and now that I’ve seen that there are other careers out there other than what I initially thought I wanted to do, especially those something that can fit with my biology degree within the Bureau, my mind is totally open to those other options so I can take the skills I’ve developed here, the methodical research skills and I can apply them to my education and then I can turn right back around and apply those educational skills that I’ve developed in school and put them towards working for the Bureau."
Grace: "The FBI has truly become my summer home and every single summer I love coming back here. You know I never come to work, like, oh man, I have to go to somewhere to work all summer. I get excited to come back and I miss the people here when I’m away."

Advice for Aspiring FBI Interns:

Laura: "I would tell anyone who is interested in applying to this internship to just go ahead and apply regardless of what you think you want to do. I think no matter what you think your future career goal is, the FBI has a place for you if you want one. And that’s definitely something I learned coming in as a STEM major, not related to criminal justice at all."

Department of the Army (DA) Logistics Management Intern Program

This dynamic two-year program offers permanent upward mobility positions with the federal government. The Department of the Army (DA) recruits and trains civilians as Logistics Management Specialist Interns, preparing them for a future career as a member of the Army civilian team supporting soldiers throughout the world. This two-year program of professional development is accomplished through formal classroom training and a series of rotational on-the-job training with Department of Defense (DOD) agencies throughout the United States. Training emphasizes transportation, supply, maintenance, financial management, contract negotiations, and leadership development. This high-quality program ensures the availability of well-trained and experienced employees equipped with the right skills to support the Army civilian work force of the future.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acquisition Internship Program

As a member of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acquisition team, interns put their education and experience to work, directly impacting the mission every day by procuring everything from IT hardware and software to boats and aircraft. Interns are part of a team that procures over $20 billion worth of goods and services annually in support of the Department's mission. The NADP is comprised of paid entry-level and associate employees and may be right for those that desire to rapidly advance their professional career and feel a sense of pride supporting the mission of the DON.

Department of State Pathways Internship Program

The Department of State's Pathways Internship Program includes both the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) and the Internship Experience Program (IEP). This program offers a coveted inside look at diplomacy in action, and the range of careers and responsibilities found in the Foreign Service and Civil Service. Interns gain valuable work experience that they can apply to virtually every endeavor - whether they work in government or the private sector. The program is open to U.S. citizens enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions from high school to graduate school and professional academic levels. Interns may be placed in embassies and consulates throughout the world, as well as in various bureaus located in Washington, D.C., and at Department offices around the United States.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Acquisition Intern Program (AIP)

The VA Acquisition Intern Program (AIP) is approximately an 18-month program to develop future contract specialists. Interns begin at the GS-7 level with career potential to the GS-11 level. The program includes rigorous classroom training in Frederick, Maryland, and distance learning training. The interns return to their hiring organization more competent and confident after each training block and have an immediate positive impact on their organization's workload. The program includes formal instruction, experiential learning, skill-building workshops, and on-the-job training (approximately 70 percent of the program time). Interns graduating from the program satisfy all training requirements necessary to be eligible for Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Levels I and II.

Warriors to Workforce (W2W) Program

Warriors to Workforce (W2W) is a 10-month program that offers returning Veterans with little to no post-high school education an opportunity to transition into a new career as a contract specialist. The program focuses on business acumen, transitional support, mentoring, professional development, and foundational career training. Interns complete the program as a cohort, fortified by a built-in support system that mirrors the team environment and camaraderie that they experienced in the military. Interns begin at the GS-5 level and, after successful completion of the program, interns advance to the Acquisition Intern Program (AIP) which equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become operational contract specialists. Through the W2W and AIP programs, Veterans are taught in-demand skills and competencies which allow them to continue serving their country as civil servants.

Virtual Internships

Virtual internships connect U.S. citizen college students with the needs of federal agencies. Since 2009, more than 10,000 remote interns have advanced the work of the federal government. The time commitment is about 10 hours per week during the school year. There are opportunities for all, from data visualization to political analysis. Internships are paid but may be eligible for course credit.

Colin Powell Leadership Program

The Colin Powell Leadership Program recruits highly motivated individuals from a variety of backgrounds who aspire to and possess the potential to become future civil service leaders in the Department.

MBA Special Advisor Fellowship

The MBA Special Advisor Fellowship seeks to strengthen the Department's strategic management and operations capabilities through leading-edge solutions and academia.

University of Georgia (UGA) Internship Programs in Washington, D.C.

The University of Georgia offers many outstanding programs for students to live and work in Washington, D.C., while earning academic credit. The following internship and fellowship programs provide exceptional opportunities for students to pursue their academic and professional goals in our nation’s capital.

Federal Relations Internship: Each semester, one selected student will work with the Federal Relations team to advocate for UGA’s institutional priorities with federal stakeholders. Responsibilities include attending and reporting on congressional committee hearings, assisting with communications and events, and supporting the Federal Relations team with administrative tasks. Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to network with government leaders and UGA alumni working in the United States capital. This internship is open to UGA undergraduate and graduate students only and provides a stipend of $3,000.
Washington Semester Program: through the Washington Semester Program. Students from all majors who have a compelling reason to intern in Washington are welcome. The selected students are responsible for securing an internship, but the program will assist them in their search if needed. The program also holds a number of evening events that help students network with area alumni and clarify their academic and professional goals.
Grady DC Field Study and Internship Program: The Grady DC Field Study and Internship Program is a hybrid of classroom study and experiential learning. Grady DC students are enrolled in a public affairs communications class taught at UGA’s Delta Hall on Capitol Hill and are working at D.C.
Agricultural Fellows Program: Students serve as agricultural liaisons while in Washington, D.C. for 12 weeks. Fellows are offered a stipend and have the opportunity to attend agriculture committee hearings, prepare briefs, conduct agricultural policy research, meet with constituents, write a paper detailing their Washington experience, and earn 3 semester credit hours toward an undergraduate degree. Applications for the summer 2026 semester are due December 2, 2025.

Navigating the Application Process

Finding and applying for federal government internships can seem daunting, but several resources are available to guide you through the process.

USAJOBS.gov: This is the official online resource for finding a job in the Federal government, including internship opportunities.
USA Jobs Pathways: This site provides opportunities for students and recent grads, with frequently asked questions and detailed information about types of opportunities and the application process.
Go Government: This site offers a glimpse into the federal government and guides you through the application process from beginning to end.
Individual Agency Websites: Federal agencies also list internship opportunities on their own Web sites.

Tips for a Strong Application:

Networking: Make a list of all the representatives and senators in all the states where you or close family have lived, attended school, or spent significant time visiting.
Writing Sample: A good writing sample is 1-2 pages on a dedicated topic, such as a one-page policy position paper, press release, or newspaper article.
Networking: Never stop networking - even once you get an internship or job.

Career Advancement on Capitol Hill

After an internship, the next step in a Capitol Hill office is usually as a staff assistant. This person is the first person that constituents see in the office and can be in charge of a multitude of tasks, including fielding constituents' calls, greeting visitors, and coordinating tours for visiting constituents. Very few people go straight from college to advising on policy issues.

Additional Resources

Several websites and resources can aid in your search for federal government internships and jobs:

Brad Traverse Jobs
Tom Manatos Jobs
Daybook: Listings

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