Exploring Opportunities: A Guide to Hines Internship Programs

Hines offers a variety of internship programs designed to provide students and recent graduates with hands-on experience in diverse fields. These programs aim to cultivate future leaders by providing opportunities for learning, growth, and professional development. From commercial real estate to public service, Hines internships offer valuable experiences and mentorship.

Hines Social Work Internship Program

The Hines VA Hospital offers a robust social work internship program that provides invaluable experience and training for aspiring social workers. Interns gain exposure to various aspects of social work within a healthcare setting, working with veterans and their families.

Key Aspects of the Hines Social Work Internship

Comprehensive Training: Interns receive training in mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and transition planning.
Mentorship and Support: The program emphasizes mentorship, with field instructors providing guidance and support. Interns also benefit from a supportive network of fellow social workers.
Diverse Experiences: Interns have opportunities to shadow different departments within the hospital, gaining a broad understanding of the various roles social workers play at Hines VA.
Skill Development: The internship cultivates essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and advocacy.
Preparation for Employment: The program prepares interns for post-graduate employment, with many interns transitioning into full-time positions at Hines VA.

Testimonials from Former Hines Social Work Interns

Former interns rave about the program's impact on their careers:

Kelly R.: "My time as a social work intern at Hines is when I really flourished into the type of social worker I am today. I learned my working style, passions, and so many evidence-based treatments! I was overwhelmed with the amount of knowledge I gained from my intern experience compared to my peers. It made me excited to do this work and pursue a career at the VA."
Joey Y.: "The intern experience and mentorship of Alejandra Aguilar, LCSW, prepared me well for my post-graduate employment. As I began my social work career, I felt well-prepared in mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and transition planning. My social work internship at Hines was one of the best professional training experiences I have had."
Ashley L.: "My field supervisor encouraged me to think creatively and problem solve every day, and I don’t think I could manage some of the concerns that arise in my program as an employee without building those muscles. It was also such a gift to be encouraged to shadow in the different programs which were operating during my internship. I feel blessed to have been able to spend time in both medical and administrative roles and garner those skill sets."
Brittany P.: "Being an intern at Hines VA also allows the opportunity to shadow other departments so you can receive a variety of experiences, and then ultimately decide what type of social work you want to pursue. Being an intern was an experience I will never forget and always remember that experience as my starting point to get me to where I am today."
Jensy J.: "I felt support and encouragement from the other Hines social workers as a new social worker during my internship in the ECC and now as a new employee. Hines always encourages us as both an intern and employee to learn about all the social work roles and different programs so we can best help the veterans."
Alisa S.: "The mentorship, guidance, and clinical knowledge that I received from my time as a social work intern had shaped my social work practice for years to come. I feel so lucky that I was able to intern at the VA during my time as a student, because integrating into my role as a social work employee at 2 South has been a smooth transition due to the clinical experience I had already gained at the VA."
Nat K.: "Interning at Hines VA has allowed me to experience multiple areas of social work. My supervisor was great and really advocated for my experience to be very well rounded! Although I was hired in an outpatient setting, I felt very supported by the Social Work Service Line as a whole."
Ian L.: "My field instructor made sure that I connected with various programs throughout the hospital for shadowing opportunities and didn’t throw me 'into the fire' until she and I thought I was ready. She made sure that she learned the way that I absorbed information the best and she always made sure I knew where support was during difficult client interactions. I was given enough autonomy to succeed and fail and was granted a safe space to talk about my frustrations."
Derya K.: "The intern committee was informative as interns learned to navigate the VA system. Towards the end of my internship, the intern committee and the CSP staff provided much needed guidance on the process to apply for federal employment. Within several months after graduation, I was hired into the Transition Care Management Program, now called M2VA."
Program Manager of the Addiction Treatment Program (ATP): "My SW education along with my internship experience in ATP served as a strong foundation - it lead me to a post-master’s SUD fellowship at the Puget Sound VA, then to outpatient SUD CBOC settings at the Southeast Louisiana VA, eventually leading me back to Hines ATP as a full-time staff member."

These testimonials highlight the supportive environment, comprehensive training, and valuable experiences gained through the Hines social work internship program.

Hines Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives and Internship Programs

Hines is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within its organization. DEI initiatives strive to guarantee equal opportunities, representation, and a supportive work environment for every employee, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or social status. Implementing a DEI program not only meets legal and ethical standards but also enhances an organization's competitiveness, attracting diverse talent and contributing to long-term success. As part of Hines’ DEI priorities, they launched the Skyline Scholars program.

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Skyline Scholars Program

The Skyline Scholars program is targeted at early college students from underrepresented, diverse backgrounds to introduce them to the vast world of opportunities within the commercial real estate industry.

Program Overview: The Skyline Scholars program is more than a simple internship opportunity; it's a seven-week, transformative program for underrepresented students to step into an industry that they might have believed was out of reach.
Learning and Development: Through the support provided by Hines professionals, students learn about critical industry concepts and skills, understand real estate market trends, and gain hands-on experience.
Personal Development: They also work with the Talent Acquisition team for personal development in the form of mock interviews, resume building, and more.
Program Expansion: This year, as the program expanded to London and finished its second summer in action, Skyline Scholars has achieved a 35% acceptance rate since its inception, providing an outstanding opportunity for underrepresented, diverse college students to break into the commercial real estate industry.
Eligibility: The program is open to all freshmen and sophomore students studying in the United States, Canada, and the UK from diverse backgrounds or underrepresented areas.

Other Hines Internship Programs

In addition to the Skyline Scholars program, Hines offers several other internship opportunities:

REDI Internship Program: A 10-week program targeting sophomores and juniors.
Summer Associate Internship Program: Designed for first-year MBAs with two or more years of related work experience.
ElevateE: An early experience rotation program designed for a select group of top talent entering the workforce for the first time.

These programs provide students with hands-on real estate experience and the opportunity to work on transformative projects.

Congressman Himes Internship Programs

Congressman Himes offers internship programs in both his district offices and in Washington, D.C. These internships provide students and recent graduates with a firsthand look at the workings of government and the opportunity to contribute to public service.

District Office Internships

Locations: Internships are available in both the Bridgeport and Stamford offices.
Dates: District summer internships begin on Monday, May 18, 2026, and end in August 2026.
Eligibility: High school students living in the district are encouraged to apply, especially during the school year, given the competitiveness of the summer cohort.
Application: To submit an application for a Himes District Internship, complete the online District Office Internship Application Form and submit all required documents through the online form.

Washington, D.C. Internships

Eligibility: Internships in Washington are open to undergraduate- and graduate-level students as well as recent graduates.
Cohorts: Summer I and Summer II cohorts are available for Washington, D.C. internships.
Application: To submit an application for a Himes Washington, D.C. Internship, complete the online Washington, D.C. Internship Application Form.

Stipends and Scholarships

The Himes office offers stipends to applicants in each cohort who have demonstrated financial need. Applicants for summer internships in D.C. and/or in Connecticut with demonstrated financial need are encouraged to apply for the Kevin J. Sutherland Scholarship.

Kevin J. Sutherland Scholarship: In honor of Sutherland’s passion for public service, the Office of Congressman Himes names one applicant the “Kevin J. Sutherland Scholar.” This distinction offers the successful candidate a three-month summer internship in Washington, D.C. Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated financial need. Kevin Joseph Sutherland was a Connecticut native dedicated to public service and advancing policy that would positively impact people’s lives. A former intern in Congressman Himes’ Washington, D.C., office.
Jack Bryant Stipend: In recognition of Bryant’s public service, the Office of Congressman Himes offers one intern candidate a $5,400 stipend and a three-month summer internship in our District Offices. Jack Bryant was a community leader whose activism and dedication to his beloved city of Stamford stood as a model of how to be an engaged citizen and good neighbor. Beloved deacon, past President of Stamford’s NAACP Chapter, and Stamford Board of Education Member, Bryant died due to complications from COVID-19 in April 2020.

Commitment to Removing Financial Barriers

A Congressional internship can be a rewarding and exciting way to explore if a career in public service is the right path for you. To that end, we are committed to removing financial barriers for potential interns. Our office offers need-based stipends, and we encourage all eligible applicants to apply.

Berkeley IEOR Department

While not directly related to Hines, the Berkeley Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR) department offers valuable insights into fields relevant to many industries.

Overview of Berkeley IEOR

Research Focus: Faculty research in Berkeley IEOR specializes in stochastic processes, optimization, and supply chain management.
Applications: The far-reaching research done at Berkeley IEOR has applications in many fields such as energy systems, healthcare, sustainability, innovation, robotics, advanced manufacturing, finance, computer science, data science, and other service systems.
Programs: Berkeley IEOR offers various programs, including B.S. IEOR, B.A. Analytics, and a 5-Year BS/MS IEOR program.
Community: With more than 4,000 alumni, 20 faculty, 20 advisory board members, and 400 students, the IEOR department is a rapidly growing community equipped with tools and resources to make a large impact in industry, academia, and society.

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